Helping Students Use "-Ish" Like a Native Speaker
There are lots of times when we don't want to talk about something in a precise or exact way. Instead, we only want to give an idea about something, or say that one thing is similar to something else.
Luckily, there is a very simple and effective tool for this: "-ish"!
Although it's not a word on its own, -ish can be used together with many other words to change their meaning and create a feeling that is less specific or less certain. Depending on how it is used, it can have several different effects, so let's take a closer look.
The basics of -ish
Although this article will explain how -ish is added to other words, students should know that some words include it naturally. In these cases, it means "having the qualities of."
Words like these are often used when discussing nationalities or specific social groups.
| Swedish | Related to or originating in Sweden | i.e., Swedish people |
| Danish | Related to or originating in Denmark | i.e., the Danish language |
| Turkish | Related to or originating in Turkey | i.e., Turkish architecture |
There are other examples as well.
childish (meaning "similar to a child")
Stop acting so childish and admit when you're wrong.
selfish (meaning "only concerned with oneself")
Jack can be really selfish sometimes.
In this usage, -ish changes nouns into adjectives.
Aside from these standard uses, -ish is also used in a variety of more creative ways. Be sure to point out that all of the uses below are a bit casual, so care should be taken not to use them in very formal situations.
-ish can mean:
approximately, about~
When talking about numbers, such as times, amounts and age, -ish makes the number approximate.
The party starts at 8-ish.
A
When did you arrive?
B
Six-ish.
I don't know her age, but I'd guess 25-ish.
For guessing age, it is also common for people to say "20-something," "mid-40s," etc.
somewhat, almost
-ish is also commonly used as a way to say that something is similar to or almost the same as something else. The exact meaning depends on the context.
She dyed her hair a pink-ish color.
A
Is it spicy?
B
It’s spicy-ish. I can taste the spice, but it isn’t very strong.
This is a mystery novel, but parts of it are fantasy-ish.
A
Was the weather nice?
B
Nice-ish. It was sunny, but a bit too cool to go to the beach.
The injury left a purple-ish bruise on his leg.
In many cases, it includes a negative nuance when the speaker is not excited or impressed by the subject of conversation.
The movie was OK-ish. I thought I’d like it more than I did.
Sometimes, -ish can even be used alone as a response. This usage is especially casual.
A
Are you finished writing your essay?
B
Ish. I only have a few more edits to make.
Wrap-up
In informal conversations, adding -ish to other words is a fast and convenient way to express similarity and vagueness.
Some words sound more natural with it than others do, but as students practice with it, they will begin to understand which words make the best combinations. Give them some examples and see how naturally they can use it in a free-talk lesson.
