əsasən

Basis Marker Əsasən

Level 5

əsasən functions in two ways: as a formal postposition meaning 'according to/based on' (requires the dative case) and as an adverb meaning 'mainly/mostly'.

How It Works

The word əsasən is a high-level tool for formal communication in Azerbaijani.

1. Postpositional Use ('According to')
When used to cite a source or rule, it follows a noun in the dative case. It is used for:

  • Legal codes and regulations (e.g., qanuna əsasən).
  • Official documents or contracts.
  • Scientific data or objective observations.

Unlike görə, which can be used for subjective opinions (mənə görə - 'according to me'), əsasən is strictly objective. You would not say mənə əsasən.

2. Adverbial Use ('Mainly/Mostly')
In this role, it does not require a specific case and modifies the sentence or predicate to show that something is true for the most part. It is synonymous with əsas etibarilə or çox vaxt.

3. Register and Nuance
This pattern is essential for Level 5 proficiency because it defines the formal register of Azerbaijani. While you might hear görə in the street, you will often see əsasən in official news reports and legal documents.

Examples (4)

  1. Qanuna əsasən, bu sənəd etibarsız sayılır.

    According to the law, this document is considered invalid.

    Word by Word: Law-to according-to, this document invalid is-counted.

    Here, 'əsasən' follows the dative 'qanuna' to cite a legal basis.

  2. Müşahidələrə əsasən, bu il havalar erkən isinəcək.

    Based on observations, the weather will warm up early this year.

    Word by Word: Observations-to based-on, this year weather early will-warm-up.

    Used here to cite objective evidence (observations) as the basis for a prediction.

  3. Bizim qrup əsasən tələbələrdən ibarətdir.

    Our group mainly consists of students.

    Word by Word: Our group mainly students-from consists-of.

    This demonstrates the adverbial use, meaning 'mostly' or 'chiefly'.

  4. Müqavilənin şərtlərinə əsasən ödəniş vaxtında edilməlidir.

    According to the terms of the contract, payment must be made on time.

    Word by Word: Contract-of terms-its-to according-to payment time-in must-be-done.

    A classic formal usage citing a specific document (the contract).

Common Mistakes

  • Using the nominative case instead of the dative case.

    Qanun əsasən, biz bunu edə bilmərik.
    Qanuna əsasən, biz bunu edə bilmərik.

    When functioning as 'according to', the preceding noun must take the dative suffix (-a/-ə).

  • Using 'əsasən' for personal opinions.

    Mənə əsasən, bu film maraqlıdır.
    Mənə görə, bu film maraqlıdır.

    Personal viewpoints use 'görə'. 'Əsasən' requires an objective foundation or rule.

How It Connects

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

əsasənLevel 5Basis Marker Əsasən

Learn This First

To use 'əsasən' (according to/based on), a learner must first understand how to form the dative case (-a/-ə), as this postposition governs that specific case. Basic knowledge of vowel harmony is also required to attach the case suffix correctly to the noun being used as a basis.

Words in This Pattern

əsasənəsasən