This article examines the role of derivative vocabulary in Russian proverbs and sayings, focusing on morphological and semantic aspects of word formation. It explores how affixation, including prefixes and suffixes, contributes to the expressiveness and conciseness of proverbs. The study highlights the influence of derivation on meaning, stylistic devices, and the cultural value of proverbs, showing how linguistic economy and evaluative suffixes shape proverbial expressions.

Derivative vocabulary, Russian proverbs, word formation

Герасимова К. М., Темкина Н. Е. (2012). О роли работы над составом слова при обучении РКИ – on teaching word formation

Shchetakova A. S., Fischer D. A. (2020). Ustarevshaya leksika v poslovitsakh i pogovorkakh russkogo yazyka – notes proverbs as a monument preserving old language

The Russian Blog – explanation of Russian word formation components

Sophia Univ. (2021). Focusing on prefixes and suffixes in Russian – notes high frequency of affixation in Russian

Независимая газета (Epstein, 2009). “Chik i yek” – on diminutive suffix function

and archaic augmentatives

Middle European Scientific Bulletin (2022). “Syntax of Russian Proverbs” – mentions evaluative vocabulary in proverbs

Uchi.ru homework help – examples of proverbs with diminutive suffixes

Wiktionary/Wikiquote – various Russian proverbs (for confirmation of wording and meaning, e.g. “Lokotok”).