Prefixes change the meaning of a word. We do the same in Dutch:
legaal > illegaal
gewild > ongewild
regelmatig > onregelmatig
alfabeet > analfabeet
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What does Prefix mean?
A prefix is when you add a meaningful element beforethe base form of a word:
wise unwise
obey disobey
smoker non-smoker
complete incomplete
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Are there any rules?
Not really. You can only study prefixes by studying the words they belong to. Sometimes it is easy, because you already know a lot of them. Sometimes you have to look them up in a dictionary.
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But there must be some rules?
There are minor rules for spelling though.
ir- is always followed by an r
im- is always followed by anm or p
a- is always followed by a consonant (medeklinker)