Derivational Suffixes -化, -式, -型, and -性 in Chinese
-化 / -式 / -型 / -性
These bound suffixes derive lexical words: -化 often forms change or transformation verbs, -式 labels a style or format, -型 identifies a model or type, and -性 forms abstract property nouns. They attach directly to compatible bases. Meaning is partly predictable, but established collocation determines whether a proposed derivative is acceptable.
Published July 26, 2026
Reviewed July 26, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Lexical base + suffix → derived verb, type label, or abstract noun
Read the structure
These bound suffixes derive lexical words: -化 often forms change or transformation verbs, -式 labels a style or format, -型 identifies a model or type, and -性 forms abstract property nouns. They attach directly to compatible bases. Meaning is partly predictable, but established collocation determines whether a proposed derivative is acceptable. Keep the model Lexical base + suffix → derived verb, type label, or abstract noun visible while you compare each sentence.
城市正在绿化街道。
The city is greening the streets.
Choose the right context
Use -化 in established transformation verbs such as 绿化 and 数字化. Use -式 or -型 in established labels for style, format, model, or category. Use -性 to form an established abstract property such as 普遍性 or 可能性.
这是一种新型材料。
This is a new type of material.
Respect the boundary
Do not attach a suffix freely to every adjective or noun. Do not confuse derivational -化 with an aspect or result complement. Do not split a derived word by inserting 了, 的, a classifier, or an object inside it.
城市正在绿了化街道。
(The city is greening the streets.)
Repair the pattern
Aspect 了 splits a derived verb: 绿化 is one derived verb. Aspect or progressive marking belongs outside the intact word, not between 绿 and 化. 性 is added outside the noun phrase it derives: 可行性 is the established abstract noun. Structural 的 cannot split its base from derivational -性.
城市正在绿化街道。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
城市正在绿化街道。
The city is greening the streets.
城市
Lexical base
This part occupies the Lexical base position in the model pattern.
正在
suffix → derived verb, type label, or abstract noun
This part occupies the suffix → derived verb, type label, or abstract noun position in the model pattern.
绿化
Lexical base
This part occupies the Lexical base position in the model pattern.
街道
suffix → derived verb, type label, or abstract noun
This part occupies the suffix → derived verb, type label, or abstract noun position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
城市正在绿化街道。
The city is greening the streets.
这是一种新型材料。
This is a new type of material.
我们需要评估方案的可行性。
We need to assess the plan's feasibility.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use -化 in established transformation verbs such as 绿化 and 数字化.
- Use -式 or -型 in established labels for style, format, model, or category.
- Use -性 to form an established abstract property such as 普遍性 or 可能性.
Do not use it when
- Do not attach a suffix freely to every adjective or noun.
- Do not confuse derivational -化 with an aspect or result complement.
- Do not split a derived word by inserting 了, 的, a classifier, or an object inside it.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
城市正在绿了化街道。
城市正在绿化街道。
Aspect 了 splits a derived verb
绿化 is one derived verb. Aspect or progressive marking belongs outside the intact word, not between 绿 and 化.
这个方案有可行的性。
这个方案有可行性。
性 is added outside the noun phrase it derives
可行性 is the established abstract noun. Structural 的 cannot split its base from derivational -性.
城市正在绿了化街道。
Keep the derived verb 绿化 intact.
这个方案有可行的性。
Use the established noun 可行性.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with -化 / -式 / -型 / -性.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with -化 / -式 / -型 / -性. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Derivational Suffixes -化, -式, -型, and -性 Questions
Does -化 always make a verb?
It commonly derives transformation verbs, but lexical category and transitivity depend on the established word. Learn each derivative with examples.
How are -式 and -型 different?
-式 often foregrounds style, format, or manner, while -型 often foregrounds model, category, or type. Many labels are lexical, so dictionary usage decides the natural choice.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 6 item 【六02】, 后缀：-化、-式、-型、-性, PDF p. 233
Lists the four official Level 6 suffixes and gives representative derived words.
Official sourceChinese Affixes and Word Formation
Fu Ruomei · Humaniora · 2014
Locator: Article pp. 2–3, quasi-suffix list and examples; full PDF body opened
Identifies 化, 式, 型, and 性 as modern quasi-suffixes and illustrates derived forms including 数字化, 蝶式, 轻型, and 普遍性.
Official sourceA Reference Grammar of Chinese
Huang, Shi and Li · Cambridge University Press · 2022
Locator: Chapter 3, Lexical Word Formation, preview body and 工业化 example opened
Defines derivational affixation and specifically analyzes 化 in 工业化 as a verb-forming suffix comparable to English -ize or -ify.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
完/到/见Result Complements (完/到/见)
Derivational -化 forms a lexical word with its base, whereas a result complement follows a predicate to state an achieved outcome.
Easy to confuse
的/得/地的 vs 得 vs 地 (the three de)
Suffix -性 forms an intact abstract noun and cannot be replaced or split by structural 的.
Compare
形容词谓语句Adjective Predicate Sentence
An adjective can serve directly as a predicate, while adding -性 typically derives an abstract property noun.
Compare
打开/看见/离开/完成Result Verbs and Achieved Endpoints
A derived word remains an intact lexeme, while separable result patterns license syntax around their action and result components.
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Easy to confuse
Derivational -化 forms a lexical word with its base, whereas a result complement follows a predicate to state an achieved outcome.