-ar/-ər (vərdiş)

Aorist for Habits

Level 3

The -ar/-ər suffix (Aorist) describes actions that are generally true, habitual, or potentially likely in the future. It is the language of proverbs and polite willingness.

How It Works

The -ar/-ər pattern, known as the Indefinite Future Tense (Qeyri-qəti gələcək zaman), is one of the most versatile forms in Azerbaijani.

1. General Truths and Habits
It is used for universal facts (e.g., 'Water boils at 100 degrees') and characteristic behaviors. While the Present Continuous is often used for personal daily routines, the Aorist is preferred for timeless statements and proverbs.

2. Willingness and Potential
In social contexts, this form expresses a polite 'will' or 'would.' If someone asks for help, responding with edərəm (I'll do it) sounds more helpful and willing than the definite edəcəyəm.

3. Conjugation Rules

  • Back Vowels (a, ı, o, u): Add -ar (e.g., baxar - he/she looks/will look).
  • Front Vowels (e, ə, i, ö, ü): Add -ər (e.g., gələr - he/she comes/will come).
  • Vowel Stems: Use the buffer -y- resulting in -yar/-yər (e.g., oxuyar).

4. The Negative Form (Crucial)
The negative is irregular. Instead of the standard -ma/-mə, it uses -maz/-məz. However, in the 1st person (I/We), the 'z' changes to 'r':

  • Mən gəlmərəm (I won't/don't come)
  • Biz gəlmərik (We won't/don't come)
  • O gəlməz (He/she won't/doesn't come)

Examples (5)

  1. Su yüz dərəcədə qaynayar.

    Water boils at one hundred degrees.

    Word by Word: Water hundred degree-at boils.

    This demonstrates a general scientific truth using the -ar suffix.

  2. Mən sizə kömək edərəm.

    I will help you (I'd be happy to).

    Word by Word: I you-to help do-will.

    Using the aorist here shows willingness and a polite promise rather than a scheduled plan.

  3. O, heç vaxt yalan danışmaz.

    He never tells lies.

    Word by Word: He never lie speak-not.

    This uses the negative form -maz to describe a characteristic habit.

  4. Quşlar uçar, balıqlar üzər.

    Birds fly, fish swim.

    Word by Word: Birds fly, fish swim.

    A classic example of general characteristics of animals using -ar and -ər.

  5. Biz sabah gələrik.

    We will probably come tomorrow.

    Word by Word: We tomorrow come-will.

    In this context, it implies a likely intention rather than a 100% definite appointment.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -maz for the first person negative.

    Mən gəlməzəm.
    Mən gəlmərəm.

    In the first person (I and We), the 'z' in the negative suffix changes to 'r'. Saying 'gəlməzəm' is a common learner error based on the 3rd person form.

  • Using the present tense where the aorist is meant.

    Different MeaningO, gəlir.
    O, gələr.

    'O, gəlir' is a good sentence: 'He is coming' (it can also speak about an arranged near future). The aorist 'O, gələr' is more general or uncertain ('He will come, probably'). Turkish gelir is the aorist; in Azerbaijani the aorist is gələr.

  • Choosing the aorist where the plain present is meant.

    Different MeaningHər gün çay içərəm.
    Hər gün çay içirəm.

    'Hər gün çay içərəm' is a good sentence; the aorist presents the habit as a general trait ('I am someone who drinks tea every day'). 'Hər gün çay içirəm' just states the routine.

How It Connects

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

-ar/-ər (vərdiş)Level 3Aorist for Habits

Learn This First

To understand the -ar/-ər habitual pattern, learners must be familiar with basic verb conjugation rules, including vowel harmony and the standard Subject-Object-Verb sentence structure. It is also helpful to understand how verbs function as predicates in the nominative case.

Words in This Pattern

-ar-ər