Prefixes in Spanish

Written by qualified Spanish expert Inma Sánchez BA

Last updated: 2017-12-11

Prefixes are groups of letters that are attached to the beginning of a word to create a new word. By doing this the meaning of the original word changes. This applies to different types of words, e.g nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs...

Here are some examples of common prefixes in Spanish:

Prefix -in 

This prefix is added to some adjectives in order to create the opposite adjective.

Deseable = desirable

Indeseable = undesirable

Prefix -des

This prefix is added to verbs in order to create the opposite verb.

montar = to assemble

desmontar = to disassemble

Prefix -macro

This prefix is added to nouns in order to create a new word that means "very big" [something]

concierto = concert

macroconcierto = mega concert