How does Basque create new words through suffixes and compound nouns?

Basque creates new words primarily through two active processes: derivation and compounding.

Derivation

Basque is characterized as a suffixing language, meaning it forms new words by appending suffixes to existing roots. This process of derivation is a productive feature of the language, often utilizing both native and borrowed suffixes to expand the vocabulary.12

Compounding

The compounding of nouns is another vital method for generating new terminology. By combining two or more nouns, speakers can create distinct concepts, such as bizkar-hezur, which translates to "backbone" (literally "back-bone").2

These methods have remained active throughout the history of the language, allowing Basque to adapt and evolve its lexicon despite external pressures. While Basque also employs suffixes for grammatical purposes—such as indicating case, number, or subordination—the specific use of derivation and compounding serves as a primary engine for lexical growth.21