achtig

Achttic? The Dutch term isachtig refers to a productive suffix in the Dutch language that means “like” or “resembling.” It is used to form adjectives from nouns and some other bases, to express likeness, characteristic, or approximate quality. In usage, -achtig modifies the base to convey a resemblance rather than a strict classification.

Form and function: The suffix -achtig attaches directly to the stem of a word with no required hyphen in standard spelling. Examples include spookachtig (spooky, ghost-like), waterachtig (water-like or watery), roodachtig (reddish), and groenachtig (greenish). The construction is highly productive and common in both formal and informal Dutch, as well as in journalism and literature.

Etymology and relation to other languages: The suffix is of Dutch origin and has parallels in other West Germanic languages. German uses -artig with a similar meaning (characteristic of or like), while English often uses -like or -ish to convey a comparable sense of resemblance. The Dutch -achtig, however, remains a distinct, integrated suffix within its own lexicon and phonology.

Semantics and nuance: -achtig implies likeness or a qualitative impression rather than an exact category. It can describe appearance, texture, color, mood, or behavior in approximate terms. In some cases, it carries a subjective or descriptive nuance, which can be more vivid in narrative or evaluative writing.

See also: Dutch morphology, suffixes in Dutch, German -artig, English -like/-ish.