Causatiivisuffixi

Causatiivisuffixi is a linguistic term referring to a suffix that, when added to a verb stem, transforms its meaning to indicate that the subject causes another entity to perform the action of the verb. This grammatical feature is found in various languages, particularly in Finno-Ugric languages like Finnish and Hungarian, as well as in some Turkic and Semitic languages.

In Finnish, for instance, the causatiivisuffixi is typically -tt-. For example, the verb 'nukkua' (to sleep) becomes 'nukuttaa' (to make someone sleep or to put someone to sleep) when the suffix is added. Similarly, 'istua' (to sit) becomes 'istuttaa' (to make someone sit or to seat someone). The subject of the sentence is not performing the action directly but is responsible for causing another to do so.

Hungarian employs the causatiivisuffixi '-at/-et', depending on vowel harmony. For example, 'eszik' (to eat) can be made causative as 'etet' (to feed). The context often clarifies whether the subject is directly acting or causing the action. Understanding the causatiivisuffixi is crucial for comprehending the nuances of verb conjugation and sentence construction in languages where it is present, as it introduces a layer of semantic complexity related to agency and causation.