-mı, yoxsa

Alternative Question with Yoxsa

Level 2

The structure [Option A] + -mı, yoxsa [Option B]? is the standard way to ask 'A or B?' in Azerbaijani. It presents mutually exclusive choices.

How It Works

In Azerbaijani, alternative questions are formed by marking the first choice with a question particle and introducing the second choice with yoxsa.

1. The Particle (-mı):
The particle attaches to the word being questioned and follows 4-way vowel harmony:

  • -mı after a, ı (e.g., almamı)
  • -mi after e, ə, i (e.g., evmi)
  • -mu after o, u (e.g., dostumu)
  • -mü after ö, ü (e.g., gözümü)

2. The Conjunction (yoxsa):
Unlike the English 'or', yoxsa is the word for 'or' between the options of a question (it also means 'otherwise' in warnings). It is a standalone word and does not change its form.

3. Colloquial Usage:
In casual speech, native speakers often omit the -mı particle and rely on rising intonation on the first word: Çay, yoxsa qəhvə? However, for formal writing and clear communication, using the particle is recommended.

4. Word Order:
The particle -mı should be placed immediately after the specific element that is being contrasted. If you are choosing between two actions, it attaches to the verb; if between two objects, it attaches to the noun.

Examples (4)

  1. Çaymı istəyirsən, yoxsa qəhvə?

    Do you want tea or coffee?

    Word by Word: Tea-? want-you, or coffee?

    In this alternative question, the particle -mı attaches directly to the first noun being contrasted ('çay') to emphasize the choice.

  2. Bu sənin kitabındırmı, yoxsa onun?

    Is this your book or his?

    Word by Word: This your book-is-?, or his?

    The particle -mı attaches to the assertive ending -dır.

  3. Bakıdamı yaşayırsan, yoxsa Gəncədə?

    Do you live in Baku or in Ganja?

    Word by Word: Baku-in-? live-you, or Ganja-in?

    This contrasts two locations marked with the locative case. The question particle follows the locative suffix of the first option.

  4. Gedəkmi, yoxsa qalaq?

    Shall we go or shall we stay?

    Word by Word: Go-we-?, or stay-we?

    This uses the first-person plural hortative to offer a choice between two actions.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'və ya' instead of 'yoxsa' in a question.

    Sən tələbəsən və ya müəllim?
    Sən tələbəsənmi, yoxsa müəllim?

    'Və ya' is the usual 'or' in statements. For a choice question, the standard pattern is yoxsa after a question with -mı: 'Sən tələbəsənmi, yoxsa müəllim?'

  • Ignoring vowel harmony for the -mı particle.

    Yorğunmi, yoxsa gümrahsan?
    Yorğunmu, yoxsa gümrahsan?

    The particle must match the preceding vowel according to vowel harmony. Since 'yorğun' ends in a back-rounded vowel 'u', the particle must be '-mu'.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-mı, yoxsaLevel 2Alternative Question with Yoxsa

Learn This First

To form alternative questions using 'yoxsa', you first need to know how to form basic yes-no questions using the -mı particle. Understanding vowel harmony is essential for attaching this particle correctly, and familiarity with 'yox' helps in recognizing the structure of the alternative coordinator 'yoxsa'.

Words in This Pattern

yoxsa