French grammar
La formation des mots : in-, dé-, sur-, sous- et les suffixes -able, -ation
Work out and build new words from prefixes and suffixes.
From the scene Touristification
In short
Build words: in- (not), dé- (undo), sur- (too much), sous- (under), -able (can be done), -ation (makes a noun).
Your turn
Which one goes with that cannot be sustained, unbearable?
Options: sous + louer → sous-louer · in + souten + able → insoutenable · touriste → la touristification
Show answer
that cannot be sustained, unbearable → in + souten + able → insoutenable
How it works
French builds long words from short ones (you already know re- = again).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Et « (blank) » ? Vous l'avez dit trois fois.
Options: sursoutenable · insoutenable · désoutenable
Show answer
Et « insoutenable » ? Vous l'avez dit trois fois.
And "unsustainable"? You said it three times.
Good to know
Prefixes: in- = not (insoutenable), dé- = the opposite, or taking away (faire → défaire, loger → déloger), sur- = too much (surcharger), sous- = under, at second hand (sous-louer = to sublet).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Comme les loyers. Ils sont (blank).
Options: insoutenable · désoutenables · insoutenables
Show answer
Comme les loyers. Ils sont insoutenables.
Like the rents. They are unsustainable.
Good to know
Suffixes: -able = can be done (soutenable), -ation turns a verb into a noun (touristifier → la touristification).
turning an area into a tourist zone touriste → la touristification
that cannot be sustained, unbearable in + souten + able → insoutenable
Your turn
What goes with in + souten + able → insoutenable?
Options: to sublet · that cannot be sustained, unbearable · turning an area into a tourist zone
Show answer
in + souten + able → insoutenable → that cannot be sustained, unbearable
to sublet sous + louer → sous-louer
Nuria
Et « sous-louer » ? « Sous », c'est en dessous : louer ce qu'on loue soi-même.
And "sous-louer"? "Sous" means "under": renting out what you rent yourself.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Et « sous-louer » ? « (blank) », c'est en dessous : louer ce qu'on loue soi-même.
Options: Souten · Sous · Touriste → la touristification
Show answer
Nuria
Et « sous-louer » ? « Sous », c'est en dessous : louer ce qu'on loue soi-même.
And "sous-louer"? "Sous" means "under": renting out what you rent yourself.
to undo · to throw out of a home défaire · déloger
Your turn
What goes with défaire · déloger?
Options: turning an area into a tourist zone · that cannot be sustained, unbearable · to undo · to throw out of a home
Show answer
défaire · déloger → to undo · to throw out of a home
to overload sur + charger → surcharger
Common mistake
Not infaire or sousfaire here. The opposite of faire.
Je comprends. Faire, défaire. Charger, surcharger.
I get it. Do, undo. Load, overload.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| turning an area into a tourist zone | touriste → la touristification |
|---|---|
| that cannot be sustained, unbearable | in + souten + able → insoutenable |
| to sublet | sous + louer → sous-louer |
| to undo · to throw out of a home | défaire · déloger |
| to overload | sur + charger → surcharger |
More lines from the story
- RamónEt « insoutenable » ? Vous l'avez dit trois fois.And "unsustainable"? You said it three times.
- ElenaComme les loyers. Ils sont insoutenables.Like the rents. They are unsustainable.
- RamónJe comprends. Faire, défaire. Charger, surcharger.I get it. Do, undo. Load, overload.
- ElenaC'est quand un quartier se remplit de touristes et se vide de ses habitants.It's when an area fills up with tourists and empties of residents.
- RamónHé, je n'ai augmenté le loyer qu'un tout petit peu.Hey, I've only put the rent up a tiny bit.