The verb ''to be'' in Turkish (conjugation)

The verb 'to be' in Turkish does not exist. Suffixes are added to nouns in order to express the meaning of the verb 'to be'. There are different suffixes for the present or past tense. 

Suffixes of the verb 'to be' in the present tense

Below you find all the possible suffixes. This page will go later more in-depth in when and how to use them.

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When to add the conjunction '-y' between the suffix and the noun?

When the words end in a vowel, the letter '-y' is added before the suffix for the pronouns 'I' (ben) and 'we' (biz).

Example with 'iyi' (good)

• iyi + -y + -im -> iyiyim ( I am good)
• iyi + -sin -> iyisin (you are good)
• iyi -> (He/she/it is good)
• iyi + -y+ -iz -> iyiyiz (we are good)
• iyi + -siniz -> iyisiniz (you are good)
• iyi + -ler -> iyiler (they are good)

Formation of the letter 'd'

When the word ends in one of the following letters 'ç, f, h, k, p, s, ş, t', the letter 'd' changes with 't' for the third person's suffixes.

Examples

• boş (empty): O boştur. 'It is empty.'
• geniş (wide): Evim geniştir. 'My house is wide.'
• soğuk (cold): Dışarısı soğuktur. 'The outside is cold.'

Example table with the word "happy (mutlu)"

The suffix -(y)du and it's forms are used when the last vowel of the word is '-u'. For example; mutlu (happy), kuşkulu (suspicious), uykulu (sleepy)...

Example table with the word ''üzgün'' (sad)'

The suffix -(y)üm and it's forms are used when the last vowel of the word is '-ü'. For example; üzgün (sad), ünlü (famous), hoşgörülü (tolerant)...

Example table with the word ''sinirli (angry)''

The suffix -(y)im and it's forms are used when the last vowel of the word is '-i'. For example; sinirli (angry), deli (crazy), yeni (new)...

Example table with the word ''old (yaşlı)''

The suffix -(y)ım and it's forms are used when the last vowel of the word is '-ı'. For example; yaşlı (old), hırslı (ambitious), sakıncalı (unfavorable)...

Suffixes of the verb 'to be' in the past tense

Below you find all the possible suffixes.

Example table with the word ''happy (mutlu)''

The suffix -(y)du is used when the last vowel of the word is '-u'. For example; mutlu (happy), kuşkulu (suspicious), uykulu (sleepy)...