-ien

Betekenis (English)

Used to form country names; -ia

Synonyms

-e

Reptil -s

Kriechtier -s

Uitgespreek as (IPA)

/i̯ən/

Etymology (English)

Inherited from Middle High German: -ie

In summary

From Middle High German -ie, -je, from Latin -ia (feminine singular). Nouns with this Latinate suffix were originally strong (i.e. invariable) feminines, but inflected forms in -ien arose when the distinction between strong and weak feminines collapsed in later Middle High German. These were then treated by analogy with local names like Böhmen, Franken, Sachsen etc. (all originally dative plural of a tribe name).