In case you’re in search of a simple option to enhance your college students’ vocabulary and studying comprehension, educate them Greek and Latin root phrases! As soon as they know the meanings of the foundation phrases, they will determine the definitions of so many different phrases. Right here’s why it really works and the perfect root phrases to show youngsters in grades Ok-12.
What are root phrases?
A root phrase is a primary constructing block used to create bigger English phrases. Root phrases come from different languages, typically Greek and Latin, and may’t often stand on their very own. As an alternative, they’re mixed with prefixes, suffixes, and/or different root phrases to create an entire new phrase. Check out these examples:
- auto (Greek for self) + graph (Greek for write) = autograph (to put in writing your personal identify)
- bi (prefix which means two) + cycl (Greek for circle) = bicycle (two-wheeled automobile)
- contra (Greek for towards or reverse) + dict (converse or say) = contradict (to say the other of one thing is true)
- manu (Latin for hand) + truth (Latin for make or do) + ure (suffix which means the method of) = manufacture (the method of creating one thing, initially by hand)
You’ll even discover examples that mix each Greek and Latin root phrases in a single phrase!
- aqua (Latin for water) + phobia (Greek for worry of) = aquaphobia (worry of water)
- dys (Greek for unhealthy) + functio (Latin for to carry out) = dysfunction (not performing accurately)
Fashionable English is an actual hodgepodge of a language, influenced by Latin, Greek, French, German, Hindi, Norse, Arabic, and Outdated English, simply to call a number of. Greek and Latin root phrases are among the many most typical, particularly in relation to phrases utilized in academia or science.
Why educate Greek and Latin root phrases?
Figuring out the definitions of widespread Latin and Greek roots offers college students an actual enhance in relation to figuring out the meanings of unknown phrases. Once you mix this data with working data of prefixes and suffixes, it’s simple to make sense of many phrases, even out of context. (This may be very useful on standardized checks just like the SAT.)
It’s necessary to ensure your college students know that whereas root phrases could be a good place to begin, they will also be deceptive generally. “Self-discipline” comes from the Latin phrase for pupil or learner (discipulus). In English, self-discipline can imply an space of research, which is said to the Latin root. However it could actually additionally imply self-control, or a type of punishment, meanings that the foundation phrase don’t clarify.
In different circumstances, the foundation phrase is downright complicated, although it made sense in different languages. As an illustration, wage comes from the Latin root sal, which implies salt. If you understand that Roman troopers have been partly paid in salt, it is smart. However in any other case, understanding that root doesn’t actually assist.
That being mentioned, understanding Greek and Latin roots is useful extra typically that not. That’s why it’s price sharing this record of the most typical Greek and Latin root phrases together with your college students.
Greek Root Phrases (43)
acro
That means: excessive, high
Examples: acropolis, acrobat
anthropo
That means: human, human, humanity
Examples: anthropology, philanthropist
anti
That means: towards
Examples: antidote, antibacterial
arch
That means: chief, first, rule
Examples: monarch, archaeology
ast / astro
That means: star
Examples: astronomy, astronaut
auto
That means: self
Examples: autograph, computerized
bio
That means: life
Examples: biology, biography
chrome
That means: coloration
Examples: chromatic, monochrome
chron
That means: time
Examples: chronology, synchronize
cycl
That means: circle, wheel
Examples: bicycle, cyclone
dem
That means: individuals
Examples: democracy, epidemic
dyn / dynam
That means: energy, energy
Examples: dynamo, dynamic
dys
That means: unhealthy, troublesome, irregular
Examples: dysfunction, dystopia
geo
That means: earth
Examples: geography, geology
graph / gram
That means: write, draw
Examples: paragraph, grammar
hetero
That means: completely different
Examples: heterogeneous, heterosexual
homo
That means: identical
Examples: homonym, homogeneous
hydr
That means: water
Examples: hydrant, hydroelectric
hyper
That means: over, above
Examples: hyperactive, hyperbole
hypo
That means: underneath, under
Examples: hypothermia, hypodermic
log / logy
That means: phrase, research
Examples: dialogue, biology
mega / megalo
That means: nice, giant
Examples: megaphone, megalopolis
metr / meter
That means: measure
Examples: speedometer, barometer
micro
That means: small
Examples: microscope, microchip
mis / miso
That means: hate
Examples: misogyny, misanthrope
morph
That means: kind, form
Examples: metamorphosis, morphology
narc
That means: sleep
Examples: narcotic, narcolepsy
naut
That means: sailor, ship
Examples: astronaut, nautical
nym
That means: identify
Examples: pseudonym, antonym
path
That means: feeling, illness
Examples: sympathy, pathology
phil
That means: love
Examples: philosophy, philanthropist
phobia
That means: worry of
Examples: claustrophobia, arachnophobia
phon
That means: sound
Examples: phone, symphony
photograph
That means: gentle
Examples: {photograph}, photosynthesis
polis / polit
That means: metropolis, citizen
Examples: metropolis, politics
pseudo
That means: false, pretended
Examples: pseudonym, pseudoscientific
psych
That means: thoughts, soul
Examples: psychology, psychic
scope
That means: have a look at, study
Examples: microscope, periscope
syn
That means: collectively, with
Examples: photosynthesis, synchronize
techno
That means: artwork, craft, ability
Examples: approach, know-how
tele
That means: far, distant
Examples: tv, telescope
theo
That means: god
Examples: theology, monotheism
therm
That means: warmth
Examples: thermometer, thermal
Latin Root Phrases (45)
ab
That means: away, off
Examples: abstain, absent
act
That means: to do
Examples: motion, actor
ambi
That means: each, round
Examples: ambiguous, ambidextrous
aqua
That means: water
Examples: aquarium, aquatic
aud
That means: hear
Examples: viewers, audible
bene
That means: good, properly
Examples: profit, benevolent
cent
That means: hundred
Examples: century, p.c
circum
That means: round
Examples: circumference, flow into
contra / counter
That means: towards, reverse
Examples: contradict, counteract
dict
That means: say, converse
Examples: dictate, predict
doc
That means: educate, show
Examples: doc, physician
duc / duct
That means: lead
Examples: educate, conduct
fac / truth
That means: make, do
Examples: manufacturing unit, manufacture
kind
That means: form
Examples: rework, uniform
fort
That means: sturdy
Examples: fortress, fortify
fract / frag
That means: break
Examples: fracture, fragment
fund / discovered
That means: backside, base
Examples: basis, elementary
gen
That means: give start to
Examples: genesis, technology
ject
That means: throw
Examples: venture, eject
jur
That means: legislation
Examples: jury, jurisdiction
lev
That means: carry
Examples: Levitate, elevate
lumin / luc / lum
That means: gentle
Examples: illuminate, translucent
mal
That means: unhealthy
Examples: malfunction, malevolent
manu / mani
That means: hand
Examples: manuscript, manicure
mater / matr
That means: mom
Examples: maternity, matriarch
mit / mis
That means: ship
Examples: transmit, mission
mort
That means: dying
Examples: mortal, immortal
multi
That means: many
Examples: multicolor, multimedia
omni
That means: all
Examples: omnivorous, all-powerful
pac
That means: peace
Examples: pacify, pact
pater / patr
That means: father
Examples: paternal, patriot
port
That means: carry
Examples: transport, moveable
rupt
That means: break
Examples: interrupt, erupt
scrib / script
That means: write
Examples: describe, manuscript
sect / sec
That means: minimize
Examples: part, dissect
sens
That means: really feel
Examples: sensory, sentiment
spect
That means: look, see
Examples: examine, spectator
struct
That means: construct
Examples: assemble, construction
terr
That means: earth
Examples: territory, terrain
timi
That means: worry
Examples: timid, intimidate
tract
That means: pull, drag
Examples: tractor, entice
vac
That means: empty
Examples: evacuate, vacuum
vid / vis
That means: see
Examples: video, imaginative and prescient
voc / voke
That means: name, voice
Examples: vocal, provoke
volv / volut
That means: roll, flip
Examples: revolve, evolution
