Definitesuffix

Definitesuffix refers to a bound morpheme that marks definiteness on a noun by attaching to the end of the word. It is a suffixal definite marker, functioning as an enclitic article in languages that use suffixes rather than a separate determiner.

Overview and typology

In languages with a definitesuffix, the definite marker is affixed directly to the noun (or, in some cases, to adjectives in agreement with the noun). The resulting form signals that the noun is definite, as opposed to indefiniteness, which is typically not marked on the noun. This pattern is especially common in Balkan languages and related Romance varieties, where the suffix serves as a postnominal definite article. English and many other languages, by contrast, use a separate definite article or demonstratives rather than a suffix.

Examples

Romanian attaches a definite suffix to nouns: băiat → băiatul (the boy). Bulgarian and Macedonian use suffixal definite markers on nouns, such as grad → gradът or градот (the city in Bulgarian and Macedonian, respectively). In these languages the suffix encodes definiteness and interacts with gender and number, producing forms that agree with the noun’s features.

Notes on form and variation

Definitesuffix forms often reflect gender, number, and phonological adjustment. Some languages also allow variation in where the suffix attaches when the noun changes form for plural or other cases. Not all suffixal systems align perfectly with the same set of morphemes across languages; the specific suffixes and their allomorphs are language-specific. In linguistic description, definitesuffix is used to distinguish suffix-based definiteness from pre-nominal articles and other definite-marking strategies.

See also

Enclitic article, definite article, postnominal article, Balkan linguistic area.