-hood
* Often denotes a stage of life or development, such as childhood, adulthood, brotherhood, and motherhood.
* Can also refer to a characteristic or quality, such as neighborhood, likelihood, and womanhood.
* Generally implies a more concrete, tangible state or condition.
-ship
* Often emphasizes relationship, status, or role, such as friendship, relationship, citizenship, and membership.
* Can also refer to skill, ability, or quality, such as craftsmanship, statesmanship, and hardship.
* Generally implies a more abstract, intangible state or condition.
Here's a table summarizing the differences:
| Suffix | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -hood | Stage of life, development, or quality | childhood, adulthood, brotherhood, neighborhood |
| -ship | Relationship, status, role, skill, or quality | friendship, relationship, citizenship, craftsmanship |
Examples:
* Childhood (stage of life) vs. Friendship (relationship)
* Neighborhood (place of residence) vs. Leadership (role)
* Likelihood (probability) vs. Hardship (difficulty)
It's important to note that these suffixes are not always strictly defined and can overlap in meaning depending on the context. However, understanding the general nuances can help you understand the specific meaning of a word ending in "-hood" or "-ship".