Turkish boasts a rich variety of verb tenses, voices and moods, each tailored to specific situations and levels of politeness, including those used in public discourse.
In this brief lesson, we won’t dive deeply into all the nuances, but we’ll dip our toes into the simpler ones.
Let' s start with remembering structure of verb conjugation:
stem + (neg) + (abilitative) + (tense) + (projection) + (personal suffix)
The structure of Turkish verb conjugation involves several components:
Stem: The base form of the verb
Negative: Optional
Abilitative: Optional, indicates ability or possibility
Tense: Specifies the time (present, future, past)
Projection: Optional, indicates intention or expectation
Personal Suffix: Adds person and number information to the verb
Infinitive (Mastar)
Verbs used as nouns in sentences.
Full Infinitive
Ends with -mek.
The infinite form is the dictionary form of a verb. It serves as the base form from which other verb forms are derived. When a verb functions as the object of another verb, we use the infinite form.
“Okumak” (to read)
Short Infinitive
Ends with -me.
The short form is derived from the infinite form. It is used as the base form when the infinite form transforms into other verb forms (such as participles or gerunds).
From “okumak” (to read), we get “okuma” (reading). (Okumaya başladım / I('ve) started to read)
Tenses (Haber Kipleri)
Turkish and English titles switched places here for better categorising
Geniş Zaman (Present Tense)
Positive ends with -ar.
Negative ends with -me (negative) + z (except for 1st person).
Used for habitual actions and facts.
"Hergün okula gideriz." (We go to school everyday)
"Hergün okula gitmeyiz." (We don't go to school everyday)
Şimdiki Zaman (Present Progressive Tense)
Ends with -yor or -makta.
Used for actions happening in the present.
“Geliyorsun.” (You are coming.)
"Gelmekte." (S/He is coming) (This form is used in public speech or news format.)
Gelecek Zaman (Future Tense)
Ends with -ecek.
Indicates actions that will happen in the future.
“Geleceksin.” (You will come.)
Bilinen Geçmiş Zaman (Past Tense)
Ends with -tı.
Refers to completed actions in the past.
“Geldin.” (You came.)
Duyulmuş Geçmiş Zaman (Gossip Tense)
Ends with -mış.
Used for narrating past events (often heard in storytelling or gossip).
“Gelmişsin.” (You came, as I heard.)
Voices (Fiil Çatıları)
There are 4 voices (or roofs, as it is direct translation)
Active Voice (Etken Çatı)
In the active voice, the subject performs the action directly. It’s straightforward and commonly used in everyday language.
Ali kitabını okulda unuttu. / Ali forgot his book at school.
Passive Voice (Edilgen Çatı)
In the passive voice, the focus shifts from the doer of the action to the receiver. The subject becomes the recipient of the action, and the agent (if mentioned) takes a back seat.
Bu evde temizlik yapıldı. / Cleaning was done in this house.
Reflexive Voice (Dönüşlü Çatı)
Reflexive verbs indicate actions that the subject performs on themselves. These verbs are marked by the suffix “-l” or “-n.”
Genç kız camın önünden çekildi. / The young girl moved (herself) away from the window.
Reciprocal Voice (İşteş Çatı)
Reciprocal verbs express actions between two or more participants. They imply mutual interaction.
Arkadaşlarım buluştu. / My friends met (each other).
Moods (Dilek Kipleri)
Imperative (Emir)
Short Form: Only the verb stem (no suffix).
The short form of the imperative is quite direct and can be considered rude. It is used for giving commands or orders.
“Git!” (Go!)
Polite Form: Ends with -ın (for singular) or -ınız (for plural/formal).
The polite imperative is still an order, but it is expressed in a more courteous manner. You’ll often see this form on signs expressing prohibitions.
“Lütfen oturun.” (Please sit down.)
"Şoförle konuşmayınız." (dir: Don't speak to the driver while driving / mean: Speaking to the driver while driving is prohibited)
Request Form: Ends with -sene (for singular) or -senize (for plural/formal).
This form indicates encouragement or impatience while still being imperative.
“Biraz hızlı yürüsene!” (Walk a bit faster!)
"Tuzu uzatsana." (Pass me the salt.)
Paraphrased Form: Ends with -r mısın (for singular) or -r mısınız (for plural/formal).
The most elegant way of requesting something, often used in polite conversation.
"Garson, bakar mısın?" (dir: Waiter, can you look? / mean: Waiter!)
“Bir bardak su içer misin?” (Would you like to have a glass of water?)
Negational Paraphrased Form: Ends with -maz mısın (for singular) or -maz mısınız (for plural/formal).
An indirect way of expressing a request or suggestion.
“Bir bardak su içmez misin?” (Would you not like to have a glass of water?) (Almost same meaning as paraphrased form, just politer.)
Indirect Form: Ends with -sın (for singular) or -sınlar (for plural/formal).
Used to express indirect requests or suggestions.
“Beklesin.” (mean: Tell him/her to wait)
Necessitative (Gereklilik)
Ends with -meli.
Expresses necessity or obligation. It conveys that something must or should be done.
“Gitmelisin.” (You must go.)
Optative (İstek)
Ends with -e.
Expresses readiness or willingness. It is used to convey a desire or wish.
“Yapayım.” (Let me do)
"Yapasın." (You better do)
Conditional (Şart)
Ends with -se.
Expresses conditions or hypothetical situations. It indicates what would happen under certain circumstances.
“Gidersem…” (If I go…)