A prefix is an affix placed at the beginning of a word to change its meaning. Knowing different prefixes can help you easily figure out the meanings of some unfamiliar words when reading or listening. As Spanish and English share common roots in Latin, many Spanish and English prefixes are exactly the same. Here are some of the most common Spanish prefixes that you should know.
Common Spanish prefixes that you should know
Pre-/Ante-(Pre-/before)
These Spanish prefixes refer to things that come before.
For example:
- antemano - beforehand
- predecir - predict
- antebrazo - forearm
- anteayer - day before yesterday
- presuponer - presume
- preparar - prepare
See: Spanish prepositions
Mal- (Bad)
This prefix can be placed at the beginning of many words to express the action is being done badly or poorly.
For example:
- maltratar - abuse/mistreat
- malentender - misunderstand
- malpensado - malicious
- malpensar - think badly of
- malgastar - to waste
Ben- (good)
This is the opposite of mal-.
For example:
- beneficiar - to benefit
- bendecir - speak well of/bless
Anti-/Contra- (against)
For example:
- anticuerpo - antibody
- antimateria - antimatter
- contraataque - counterattack
- contradecir - contradict
- contrarrestar - resist/counteract
Des- (un-)
This refers to the action of undoing something.
For example:
- desplegar - unfold
- descubir - discover
- deshacer - undo
- desanimar - discourage
- descomponer - decompose
Dis- (not)
Used to show the concept of not doing something.
For example:
- discontinuar - discontinue
- dislocar- distort
- disculpar - forgive
Re-
- renacer - reborn
- reforzar - reinforce
- rehacer - redo
- reiniciar - restart
- reunir - reunite
- repasar - review
You may want to see: Spanish diacritical marks
Con-/Com-/Co- (with/together)
These three prefixes all mean "with" or "together". However, they have different usage.
Con- is used for some verbs that have something to do with putting things together.
For example:
- convivir - live together
- contener - contain
- contratar - hire
Com- is used to represent things going or working together
For example:
- combinar - combine
- compartir - share
Co-
- colaborar - collaborate
- coordinar - coordinate
- cooperar- cooperate
Sub- (under)
- subrayar - underline
- subestimar - underestimate
- subterráneo - underground
- subtítulos - subtitles
Sobre- (over)
- sobrevivir - survive
- sobredosis - overdose
- sobrecargar - overload
- sobrecogerse - overwhelm
Ex-
- extraer - extract
- exportar - export
Auto- (self-)
- autodisciplina - self-discipline
- autogestión - self-management
Bi-/Bis-/Biz-
- bicicleta - bicycle
- bilingüe - bilingual
- bisemenal - twice a week
Homo-
- homónimo - homonym
- homólogo - equivalent
- homogeneizar - homogenize
Mono-
- monótono - monotonous
- monopolio - monopoly
Pro-
- proponer - propose
- pronombre - pronoun
- prometer - promise
Uni-
- unir - unite
- uniformar - make uniform
- unificación - unification
- unisexo - unisex
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