Transzitivus

Transzitivus is a term used in linguistic descriptions to denote the property of transitivity in a verb or predicate. It is a Latinized adjective formed from trans- meaning “across” or “through” and via, with the typical adjectival suffix -ivus. While the more common English term is transitive, transzitivus appears in some grammars and typological surveys as an alternative or formal label for the same concept.

In practical use, a transzitivus verb selects a direct object and thus can form a transitive clause. For example, in the sentence “She eats apples,” the verb eat is transzitivus because it takes the object apples. By contrast, an intransitivus verb like “sleep” does not require a direct object. Some languages further distinguish ditransitivus verbs, which admit two object arguments (such as a direct object and an indirect object, for example give with a recipient).

Transzitivus is commonly discussed alongside related concepts such as valency, argument structure, and cross-linguistic transitivity patterns. Languages vary in how they encode transitivity, with different alignments (ergative, accusative) and valency-changing processes that can alter whether a verb is transzitivus in a given construction.

See also: Transitivity, intransitive, ditransitive, valency, argument structure.