-tzin

Classical Nahuatl

Etymology

This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [-t͡sin̥]

Suffix

-tzin

1. (added to nouns) An honorific or caressive suffix; denotes fondness, respect, reverence or submission on behalf of the speaker.
   • 1571, Alonso de Molina, Arte de la lengua mexicana y castellana, f. 12r:

     […] a los nombres propios, Subſtantiuos y Adjetiuos, q́ ſignifican coſas animadas, o inanimadas ſeles añade algunas vezez tzin, o tzintli. Y eſto acaece, para denotar buena crianza, corteſia, o reuerencia.

     To the proper nouns, nouns and adjectives that refer to animate or inanimate things is sometimes added tzin or tzintli. This happens in order to denote a noble upbringing, courtesy, or reverence.

   huentli (“offering”) → huentzintli (“sacrifice, sacrificial offering”)

   tonān (“our mother”) → tonāntzin (“our revered mother”)

   īyeliz (“his, her, its nature”) → īyeliztzin in Dios (“God's nature, godhood”)

2. (added to nouns) A diminutive suffix; forms nouns denoting smallness.

   pilli (“child, youth”) → piltzintli (“small child”)

   tletl (“fire”) → tletzintli (“small fire”)

Synonyms

• (diminutive suffix): -pīl, -tōn

Derived terms

Classical Nahuatl terms suffixed with -tzin