locatívusz

Locatívusz is a term used in linguistic discussion to denote a locative-type marker that encodes static location for a referent. In this sense, it corresponds to what many languages call the locative case or a locational suffix, but the label locatívusz is sometimes employed in typological or constructed-language work to emphasize a dedicated, location-only function separate from direction or motion.

Morphology and syntax

Locatívusz can be realized in various ways across languages. In agglutinative or fusional systems, it may appear as a suffix attached to a noun (for example, a noun stem plus a dedicated locatívusz ending). In other systems, it can be a separate postpositional element that attaches to or follows a noun or noun phrase. Some languages treat it as a fixed part of the noun’s form, while others deduplicate it with demonstratives or definite articles. The locatívusz typically marks the location of an event or state (where something exists) rather than movement toward a place.

Semantics and typology

The core semantic role is to indicate static location, distinct from movement toward (allative) or away (ablative). In many languages, locative marking interacts with spatial adjectives and with prepositional phrases, and it may appear with noun class or gender agreements. Cross-linguistically, locatívusz-like markers are found in a range of typologies, including analytic, synthetic, and mixed systems.

Example

In a hypothetical language, dom (house) + locatívusz suffix -usz yields domusz, meaning “in the house.” A sentence using locatívusz might convey “The cat sits in the house” with the noun form indicating the house’s location.

See also

Locative case, locational prepositions, grammatical case, suffixal morphology.