In Turkish, we define pronouns as words that replace nouns and correspond to them. However, some suffixed pronouns can also be used in place of nouns in sentences. Suffixed pronouns appear in two categories: possessive pronouns and relative pronouns. In this blog post, we’ll cover Turkish possessive pronouns and suffixes so you can learn how to use them efficiently.
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How To Show Ownership In Turkish?
Grammar form: Owner + Noun + Possessive Suffix
In Turkish, possession is marked with a word ending with both the owner and the object that is owned.
“‑nın/nin/nun/nün” is the ending that indicates the owner in terms of i-type vowel harmony. However, the first “n” in the ending is omitted if the owner is a word that ends in a consonant: “‑ın/in/un/ün.”
The compound noun ending and the ending designating the owned object are the same. For words ending in a vowel, the ending is “‑sı/si/su/sü,” while for words ending in a consonant, it is “‑ı/i/u/ü.”
What Are Turkish Possessive Pronouns?
| Possesssive Pronoun | Possessive Pronoun |
|---|---|
| Benim | (noun) + (ı/i/u/ü) + m |
| Senin | (noun) + (ı/i/u/ü) + n |
| Bizim | (noun) + (ı/i/u/ü) + mız/miz/muz/müz |
| Sizin | (noun) + (ı/i/u/ü) + nız/niz/nuz/nüz |
| Onun | (noun) + (s) + ı/i/u/ü |
| Onların | (noun) + (s)/(lar/ler) + ı/i/u/ü |
| Bunun | (noun) + (s) + ı/i/u/ü |
| Bunların | (noun) + (s)/(lar/ler) + ı/i/u/ü |
| Şunun | (noun) + (s) + ı/i/u/ü |
| Şunların | (noun) + (s)/(lar/ler) + ı/i/u/ü |
When expressing the ownership of anything, you still mark the pronoun with the “owner” ending, for example, sen “you” or ben “me.” However, the “owner” ending for the first person pronouns “ben” and “biz” is a little different: ‑im.
The object that is owned is marked with a different ending that matches the pronoun for the person who owns it.
Possessive Pronoun Suffixes In Turkish
In Turkish, pronoun suffixes indicate who owns the noun or object they refer to without using possessive pronouns. Think of it like saving unnecessary words that have the same meaning in a sentence.
I’m sorry, there are no shortcuts! You need to learn how suffixes work in the Turkish language. I know it sucks, but there is no other way!
1st person singular possessive suffix ➜ (-ı, -i, -u, -ü)m
2nd person singular possessive suffix ➜ (-ı, -i, -u, -ü)n
3rd person singular possessive suffix ➜ -ı, -i, -u, -ü, -(s)ı, -(s)i, -(s)u, -(s)ü
1st person plural possessive suffix ➜ -(ı)mizi, -(i)miz, -(u)muz, -(ü)muz
2nd person plural possessive suffix ➜ -(ı)nizi, -(i)niz, -(u)nuzu, -(ü)nız
3rd person plural possessive suffix ➜ -leri, -leri
Examples:
- My pencil – (benim) kalemim
- Your pencil – (senin) kalemin
- His/her pen – (onun) kalemi
- Our pen – (bizim) kalemimiz
- Your pen – (sizin)kaleminiz
- Their pens – (onların) kalemleri
As you can see in these examples, you don’t necessarily have to add a possessive pronoun before the noun, thanks to the suffixes, because these suffixes are enough to show the ownership of something. However, when it comes to English, you must always add possessive pronouns to show ownership because otherwise, there is no other clue or suffix that does the same job.
What Are Turkish Relative Pronouns?
In Turkish, relative pronouns (-ki suffix) also add a sense of belonging to the nouns they are attached. This suffix prevents a noun from being repeated more than once in a Turkish sentence.
Grammar Tip: Relative pronouns are always written adjacent to words.
You’ll understand this concept better after you look at the examples below.
| English Sentence | Turkish Sentence |
|---|---|
| Our house was sold this year, the neighbor’s was sold last year. (Neighbor’s house) | Bizim evimiz bu sene satıldı, komşununki geçen sene satıldı. |
| My thoughts on this report were not like yours. (Your opinion) | Bu rapor hakkında benim düşüncem seninki gibi değil. |
| His grandfather’s was from very old times. (Grandfather’s cane) | Onun dedesininki çok eski zamandanmış. |
| His was a more profitable investment. (His investment) | Onunki çok daha karlı bir yatırımdı. |
| My voice is not as beautiful as hers. (Her voice) | Benim sesim onunki kadar güzel değil. |
See? It is not that complicated.
How Do You Say “Possessive Pronoun” In Turkish?
In Turkish, a possessive pronoun, called “iyelik zamiri”, indicates ownership or possession and corresponds to English pronouns like “mine,” “yours,” “his,” “hers,” “ours,” and “theirs.” These pronouns are used to replace a noun that has already been mentioned, making sentences clearer and more concise.
Frequently Asked Questions On Turkish Possessive Pronouns
1. How to form possessive in Turkish?
In Turkish, possession is formed by adding suffixes to the noun, such as “-ım,” “-in,” “-imiz,” and “-iniz,” depending on the person and vowel harmony. For example, “benim kalemim” means “my pencil” and “senin kitabın” means “your book.”
2. Does Turkish have gendered pronouns?
No, Turkish does not have gendered pronouns. The same pronouns are used regardless of gender, such as “o” for “he,” “she,” and “it.”
3. What is -Miz in Turkish?
“-miz” is a possessive suffix in Turkish that means “our.” It is added to nouns to indicate something belongs to “us.” For example, “evimiz” means “our house.”
Final Words On Mastering Turkish Possessive Pronouns And Suffixes
In conclusion, understanding Turkish possessive pronouns and suffixes is crucial for accurately indicating ownership in sentences. Unlike English, where possessive pronouns are separate words, Turkish uses suffixes attached to nouns, eliminating the need for additional pronouns. By mastering these suffixes, you can convey possession clearly and efficiently.
