Disconnect, dislike, dishearten, disabled but dyslexia, dysphasia, dyspepsia.
These two prefixes, dis- and dys- seem to have very similar meanings - making a word negative. But it's a little more complicated than that.
Dis (from Latin, meaning apart) is much more common, so if you're not sure use this (dis). It makes a word negative, such as dislike. Or it can mean to reverse something: like disconnect
Dys-, on the other hand, comes from Greek and so is almost always used for medical or scientific words. It means bad or abnormal. So if you have dyspepsia you are not digesting your food well, people with dyslexia have some problems with language.
Very good and helpful explanation. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat about dysfunctional. That can be "bad" or "abnormal" whereas disfunctional means "not" functional. It seems that both work. Which spelling is proper?
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAn old puzzzle for me has been solved. A very satisfactory explanation. Thanks
ReplyDeleteThanks for clarifying...Dystopia vs. Utopia.
ReplyDeleteGood and supportive clarification. Much obliged.
ReplyDelete