Skip to content
HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 6+ 6 min read

Suffixes 化, 式, 型 and 性

Read and build words like 现代化, 中式, 新型 and 重要性 by knowing what each suffix adds, and stop mixing up 式 and 型.

Pattern

base + 化 (become / make); base + 式 (style); base + 型 (type, size); base + 性 (quality)

化 makes a change, 式 a style, 型 a type or size, and 性 a quality: 现代化, 中式, 大型, 重要性.

我早上喜欢吃中式早餐。

When to use Suffixes 化, 式, 型 and 性

These four are class-like suffixes that attach to many bases to make new words. 化 means “become or make so” and gives verbs or process nouns: 现代化, 简化, 城市化. 式 means “style, way of doing”: 中式, 开放式. 型 means “type, size, model”: 大型, 新型. 性 means “quality, -ness”: 重要性, 安全性. The suffix always comes last, and 式 and 型 words usually describe a noun directly, without 的: 中式早餐, 新型手机.

这几年我们的城市越来越现代化了。

Our city has become more and more modern in the last few years.

这是一款新型手机。

This is a new model of phone.

这次活动让我们明白了安全的重要性。

This event helped us understand the importance of safety.

学校打算绿化这片空地。

The school plans to plant trees and grass on this empty lot.

Common traps

  • 中式 means “Chinese-style” and 中型 means “medium-sized”: say 中式早餐, not 中型早餐.
  • A 性 word is a noun, not an adjective: say 这件事很重要 or 我们明白这件事的重要性, not 这件事很重要性.
  • 式 and 型 words go before the noun they describe: 新型手机, not 手机新型.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

这件事很有看 。

This is worth watching. Complete the noun for something interesting to see
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

How we make our content