A - French Prefix

Prefix: a

Type of prefix: adjectival, nominal

The French prefix a, known as a privatif (privative a), is added to adjectives and nouns to indicate negation or deprivation.

   anormal - abnormal
   (added to normal - normal)

   alogique - alogical
   (added to logique - logical)

   atoxique - non-toxic
   (added to toxique - toxic, poisonous)

   asexualité - asexuality
   (added to sexualité - sexuality)

   asymétrie - asymmetry
   (added to symétrie - symmetry)


When the a privatif precedes a vowel or h, a- changes to an-

   analphabète - illiterate
   (added to alphabète [rare] - literate)

   anhistorique - ahistorical
   (added to historique - historical)


Related lessons: French negation