-n-

See also: Appendix:Variations of "n"

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Interfix

-n-

1. Used with certain suffixes, such as -ian and -ese, when the base word ends in a vowel that is not readily elided.

   Panamanian, Torontonian

   Shanghainese, Balinese

Derived terms

► English words interfixed with -n-

Related terms

• -n

---

Dutch

Interfix

-n-

1. Interfix used to link elements in some compounds, sometimes short for -en-.

Derived terms

► Dutch words interfixed with -n-

---

German

Alternative forms

• -en-

Interfix

-n-

1. Genitival interfix indicating that the former part is a characteristic of the latter.

Derived terms

► German words interfixed with -n-

---

Latin

Infix

-n-

1. Infix used to denote an action (not lasting); becomes -m- in front of b, m, p

   ‎accubō (“I lie”) + ‎-n- → ‎accumbō (“I recline, lie down”)

2. Infix used to denote a lasting action; becomes -m- in front of b, m, p

   ‎iugō (“I tie”) + ‎-n- → ‎iungō (“I tie for a long time”)

   ‎coniugō (“I tie firmly”) + ‎-n- → ‎coniungō (“I tie firmly for a long time”)

---

Navajo

Interfix

-n-

1. a consonant that often appears as a ligature between the elements of a compound word. It usually comes between a final nasal vowel (ą, ę, į, ǫ) and a suffix that begins with a vowel. The nasal vowel(s) lose the nasal mark when followed by -n.

   łeesʼáán = łeezh + siʼą́ + -n- + -í

See also

• -ł-
• -s-
• -sh-

---

Portuguese

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /n/

Interfix

-n-

1. used to connect a word that ends in a nasal vowel or nasal diphthong to a suffix

   ‎canção (“song”) + ‎-n- + ‎-eiro → ‎cancioneiro (“songbook”)

   ‎capim (“wild grass”) + ‎-n- + ‎-ar → ‎capinar (“to remove weeds”)