-iu

Inherited from Latin -īvus.

-iu (adjective-forming suffix, feminine -iva, masculine plural -ius, feminine plural -ives)

1. -ive; forms adjectives denoting characteristics or qualities

Probably from Latin -īvus. Mostly found in older, popular words; compare the neological borrowing -iv.

• IPA^(key): /iw/

-iu m or n (feminine singular -ie, plural -ii)

1. Forms adjectives denoting characteristics or qualities, especially relating to color; roughly equivalent to -ive or sometimes -ish.

The terms formed from the suffix often have the meaning of approximating or being similar to a certain quality (from the noun or adjective it modifies); it can be comparable to some uses of -ish in English: somewhat, approximately, slightly, rather: e.g. cenușiu (“grayish”), albăstriu (“bluish”). A suffix playing a similar role in Romanian is also -ui, especially with colors.

• auriu, arămiu, căpriu, castaniu, cenușiu, corbiu, cărămiziu, cafeniu, portocaliu, albăstriu, negriu, gălbiu, ruginiu, sângeriu, tuciuriu, etc.

• -esc
• -ui