-z-

Interfix

 * = + -z- +
 * = + -z- +

Usage notes
Situations where the whole word, rather than the stem, is suffixed include:
 * words ending in a stressed vowel: → ;  → ;  →
 * words ending in a nasal vowel or diphthong: → ;  → ;  → ;  → . However, these are often handled differently:
 * especially in more formal words, and especially those containing the suffix, the interfix is used instead, and an etymological stem is used:  → ,  →
 * especially in words inherited from Old Portuguese, the word is denasalised and the etymological vowel is used: → ;  →
 * rarely, the consonant of the diphthong is lost: →
 * words ending in r or l usually take this interfix, but occasionally the suffix is attached to the word directly: →,  →  but  → ,  →
 * words ending in a diphthong: → . Sometimes an etymological stem is used:  →
 * words ending in a hiatus (usually): →.
 * very rarely, words ending in an unstressed, oral vowel: →