atief

Atief is a Dutch derivational suffix used to form adjectives that express a quality or relation associated with a base noun or verb. When attached to stems, it yields adjectives with meanings roughly comparable to the English suffixes -ative or -ive. Common contemporary examples include informatief (informative) and creatief (creative). The suffix is productive in modern Dutch and appears across various registers, including education, media, business, and technology.

Etymology and history: The suffix -atief derives from the Latin suffix -ativus and entered Dutch through historical Latin, with subsequent influence from French and Dutch developments in Early Modern Dutch. It remains a regular and recognizable part of Dutch word formation today.

Morphology and usage: -atief typically attaches to noun- or verb-based stems. In some cases, minor phonological or orthographic adjustments occur to align with Dutch spelling conventions. It tends to create adjectives that characterize or qualify the base concept, forming words that describe attributes, processes, or states. While it is highly productive, not every stem comfortably combines with -atief, and stylistic considerations can influence its use in formal versus informal language.

Regional and domains usage: The -atief suffix is widely used across Dutch-speaking regions and is common in both written and spoken language. It is often preferred in contexts that favor descriptive or evaluative adjectives, such as educational material, marketing, and technical writing, where precise attribute descriptions are needed.

See also: Dutch suffixes -eig, -erig, and the broader -atief family; the role of derivational suffixes in Dutch word formation; comparison with English -ative.