Subjunctive verbs in Turkish

Suggested actions and desires are expressed with the subjunctive verb. The suffixes -(y)eyim, -(y)elim and other forms are used to form a subjunctive verb. The Turkish subjunctive means 'let someone do something' in English.

Forming the subjunctive

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Aysegül Ö.

Irada I.

ERENHAN Ç.

Emine A.

Huzeyfe A.

Gülseren A.

Serkan K.

Samet B.

Günay M.

Hakan Y.

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1. The suffix -(y)eyim/ -(y)ayım

The suffix -(y)eyim or -(y)ayım is used for the singular form of the first person according to the last vowel of the verb and it means 'let me do'.

• Use the suffix  -(y)ayım: if the last vowel of the word is ''a, ı, o, or u'
• Use the suffix -(y)eyim: if the last vowel of the word is ''e, i, ö, or ü''

If the verb root ends in a vowel the letter 'y' is added after the verb root.

• ağlamak (to cry) -> ağlayayım (let me cry)
• uyumak (to sleep) -> uyuyayım (let me sleep)

Example table

• Ben de sizinle geleyim. (Let me come with you.)
• Önce elmaları alayım. (Let me buy the apples first.)

2. The suffix -(y)elim/ -(y)alım

The suffix -(y)elim or -(y)alım is used for the plural form of the first person according to the last vowel of the verb and it means 'let us do'.

• Use the suffix  -(y)alım: if the last vowel of the word is ''a, ı, o, or u'
• Use the suffix -(y)elim: if the last vowel of the word is ''e, i, ö, or ü''

Example table

• Bugün araba sürelim. (Let's drive a car today.)
• Bu akşam için kek yapalım. (Let's make a cake for tonight.)