deyəsən (ara söz)
Apparently Parenthetical
Use deyəsən when you want to say 'it seems' or 'apparently.' It signals that you are making a logical guess based on what you see or hear, rather than stating a direct fact.
How It Works
The word deyəsən originates from the verb demək (to say), literally meaning 'you would say.' However, in modern Azerbaijani, it functions strictly as a modal particle to indicate inferential evidentiality.
1. Usage and Meaning:
It is used when the speaker has some evidence but isn't 100% certain. For example, if you see someone shivering, you might say, 'Deyəsən, o üşüyür' (It seems he is cold).
2. Sentence Position:
It is highly flexible:
- Beginning: Deyəsən, yağış yağacaq. (Apparently, it will rain.)
- Middle: O, deyəsən, bizi görmədi. (He, it seems, didn't see us.)
- End: Gecikirik, deyəsən. (We are late, it seems.)
3. Punctuation:
Because it is a parenthetical word, it must be separated by commas. If it's in the middle, use two commas; if at the start or end, use one.
4. Colloquial Form:
In casual Baku speech, you will often hear deyən instead of deyəsən, though deyəsən remains the standard for writing and formal speech.
Examples (5)
- Deyəsən, mən açarları evdə qoymuşam.
It seems I've left the keys at home.
Word by Word: Apparently, I keys-the home-at left-have.
The speaker infers this because they cannot find the keys in their pocket.
- O, deyəsən, səndən inciyib.
Apparently, he is offended by you.
Word by Word: He, apparently, you-from offended-is.
The speaker uses 'deyəsən' because they are judging based on the person's behavior.
- Deyəsən, avtobus gecikəcək.
It looks like the bus will be late.
Word by Word: Apparently, bus late-will-be.
Used when the bus hasn't arrived at the scheduled time.
- Sən, deyəsən, yorulmusan.
You seem to be tired.
Word by Word: You, apparently, tired-have-become.
An inference made by looking at the listener's appearance.
- Deyəsən, biz yolu azmışıq.
It seems we have lost our way.
Word by Word: Apparently, we road-the lost-have.
The speaker realizes they don't recognize the surroundings.
Common Mistakes
Confusing 'deyəsən' with 'görəsən'.
Deyəsən, saat neçədir?Görəsən, saat neçədir?'Deyəsən' is for inferences (it seems), while 'görəsən' is for wondering or asking rhetorical questions (I wonder).
Omitting commas in writing.
Deyəsən gəlirlər.Deyəsən, gəlirlər.In Azerbaijani orthography, modal words like 'deyəsən' must be set off by commas.
Attempting to conjugate 'deyəsən' as a verb.
Mən deyəsənəm...Deyəsən, mən...Even though it looks like a verb form, 'deyəsən' is a fixed modal word and does not take personal endings.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'deyəsən' effectively, learners should already be comfortable with basic Azerbaijani sentence structure (SOV) and common tenses like the definite future or nominal predicates, as this parenthetical particle is used to add a layer of inference or uncertainty to these established statements.
- Basic SOV word order
Understanding basic sentence structure is necessary to place parenthetical expressions like 'deyəsən' correctly within a clause.
Level 1 - Zero third person nominal predicate
The pattern is frequently used with nominal predicates to express uncertainty about a state (e.g., 'he is not at home').
Level 1 - -(y)acaq/-(y)əcəkDefinite Future Tense
The pattern is commonly used to make inferences about future events, such as predicting rain.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- görünür kiEvidential Inference with Görünür Ki
Similar to 'deyəsən,' but 'görünür ki' often implies a more objective or visible basis for the conclusion.
Level 5 - yəqin kiProbable Assumption Yəqin Ki
Expresses a higher degree of probability ('probably') compared to the tentative 'deyəsən'.
Level 5 - guyaDistancing Evidential Guya
Used for 'supposedly' or 'as if,' often implying doubt or that the statement is false, unlike the neutral 'deyəsən'.
Level 5 - imişEvidential Copula Imiş
The reported copula 'imiş' also deals with information not witnessed directly, often used alongside 'deyəsən'.
Level 5 - -mış/-miş/-muş/-müş (nəqli keçmiş)Inferential Reported Past
This tense is often used with 'deyəsən' because both indicate that the speaker is reporting an inference rather than a witnessed event.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
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