tərəfindən
Agent Phrase in Passive Clauses
In Azerbaijani, the passive voice usually hides the doer. However, in formal writing (laws, news, academic papers), tərəfindən is used to explicitly state who performed the action.
How It Works
The postposition tərəfindən is a formal tool used to express the agent in a passive construction. While spoken Azerbaijani prefers active sentences, this pattern is essential for official and literary registers.
1. Usage with Nouns:
When following a noun, the noun remains in the nominative case.
Example: Hökumət tərəfindən (By the government).
2. Usage with Pronouns:
When used with personal pronouns, the pronoun must be in the genitive case, and tərəfindən must take a possessive suffix matching the person:
- Mənim tərəfimdən (By me)
- Sənin tərəfindən (By you)
- Onun tərəfindən (By him/her/it)
- Bizim tərəfimizdən (By us)
- Sizin tərəfinizdən (By you all/polite)
- Onların tərəfindən (By them)
3. Verb Requirement:
When used specifically as an agentive marker (meaning 'by'), this pattern must be paired with a passive verb. This is typically formed with the -ıl/-il/-ul/-ül suffix, the -n suffix for vowel stems, or the -ın/-in/-un/-ün suffix (which functions as a passive variant for stems ending in 'l'). Note that in its literal sense ('from the side of'), it can appear with active verbs, but as a passive agent marker, active verbs are incorrect.
4. Distinguishing Case:
Be careful not to confuse tərəfindən (by/from the side of) with tərəfində (at/on the side of). The final -n represents the ablative case, which is necessary to indicate the source of the action (the agent).
Examples (4)
- Qanun parlament tərəfindən təsdiq edildi.
The law was approved by the parliament.
Word by Word: Law parliament by approved was-done.
Here, 'parlament' is the agent. The verb 'təsdiq edildi' is the passive form of 'təsdiq etmək' (to approve).
- Bu məktub mənim tərəfimdən yazılmayıb.
This letter was not written by me.
Word by Word: This letter my by written-not-is.
Note the use of the genitive 'mənim' and the possessive suffix '-im' on 'tərəfimdən'.
- Şəhər düşmən tərəfindən mühasirəyə alındı.
The city was besieged by the enemy.
Word by Word: City enemy by siege-to was-taken.
A classic example of formal historical or news reporting using the passive agent.
- Layihə mütəxəssislər tərəfindən hazırlanır.
The project is being prepared by specialists.
Word by Word: Project specialists by is-being-prepared.
The verb 'hazırlanır' contains the passive suffix '-n'.
Common Mistakes
Using the nominative case for pronouns instead of the genitive.
Mən tərəfindən edildi.Mənim tərəfimdən edildi.Personal pronouns must be in the genitive case (mənim, sənin, etc.) and the postposition must have a matching possessive suffix.
Using tərəfindən with an active verb.
Müəllim tərəfindən kitabı oxudu.Kitab müəllim tərəfindən oxundu.As an agent marker ('by someone'), tərəfindən needs a passive verb. If the verb is active (oxudu), you do not need a postposition; just use the subject (Müəllim kitabı oxudu).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'tərəfindən' correctly, you must first understand how to form passive verbs in Azerbaijani. Additionally, since 'tərəfindən' functions grammatically as a possessed noun in the ablative case, you need to be familiar with possessive-genitive constructions and the use of the buffer 'n' between possessive and case suffixes.
- -ıl/-il/-ul/-ülConsonant-stem Passive
The pattern 'tərəfindən' is used specifically to mark the agent in passive constructions, so understanding how to form a passive verb is essential.
Level 4 - Genitive-possessive noun phrase
The word 'tərəfindən' is grammatically a possessed noun (tərəf + -i + -n + -dən) that typically follows a genitive noun, forming a possessive construction.
Level 2 - -n-Buffer N After Possessive
The 'n' in 'tərəfindən' is the buffer consonant used between a third-person possessive suffix and a case ending, which is a necessary morphological rule for this word.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- -(n)ın/-(n)in/-(n)un/-(n)ünGenitive Possessor Case
The genitive case is required for pronouns used with tərəfindən.
Level 1 - -ım/-im/-um/-ümFirst-person Singular Possessive
Possessive suffixes are attached to the postposition to agree with the pronoun agent.
Level 2 - Impersonal passive construction
Impersonal passives are another way to use the passive voice, though they often omit the agent entirely.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice tərəfindən in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Azerbaijani lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
