-ır/-ir/-ur/-ür (icbar növü)

Causative with -ır

Level 4

The -ır/-ir/-ur/-ür causative suffix is a specialized marker that attaches to a limited group of one-syllable verb roots. It transforms intransitive verbs into transitive ones or transitive verbs into causatives, often implying direct involvement by the subject.

How It Works

The -ır/-ir/-ur/-ür suffix is primarily used to derive new verb stems from a specific set of monosyllabic roots ending in the consonants -ç, -ş, -t, and -y.

1. Function:
It increases the 'valency' of a verb. For example, bişmək (to be cooked) is intransitive. By adding -ir, it becomes bişirmək (to cook something), which is transitive. In cases like içmək (to drink), which is already transitive, it creates a causative meaning: içirmək (to make someone drink).

2. Morphological Constraints:
Because it is non-productive, you cannot attach it to any verb you like. It is restricted to a 'closed set' of roots. Common examples include:

  • iç- (drink) → içir- (make drink)
  • düş- (fall) → düşür- (drop/let off)
  • yat- (sleep) → yatır- (put to sleep)
  • bit- (end) → bitir- (finish)
  • keç- (pass) → keçir- (conduct/spend time)
  • doy- (be full) → doyur- (feed)

3. Distinction from Tense:
It is visually identical to the present tense marker. However, the causative suffix becomes part of the verb stem, while the tense marker is added at the end of the stem. For example: iç-ir-ir (drink-causative-present) means 'is making [someone] drink'.

Examples (5)

  1. Sürücü bizi mərkəzdə düşürdü.

    The driver let us off (dropped us off) in the center.

    Word by Word: Driver us center-in dropped.

    Here, 'düşmək' (to fall/descend) becomes 'düşürmək' (to drop/let off) using the causative suffix.

  2. Mən bu işi axşama qədər bitirəcəyəm.

    I will finish this work by evening.

    Word by Word: I this work evening until will-finish.

    'Bitmək' (to end/finish by itself) becomes 'bitirmək' (to complete/finish something) with the causative suffix.

  3. Ana uşağı süd ilə doyurdu.

    The mother fed the child with milk (made the child full).

    Word by Word: Mother child-acc milk with fed.

    'Doymaq' (to be full) becomes 'doyurmaq' (to feed/satiate) by adding the causative suffix to the root ending in -y.

  4. Biz bu bayramı birlikdə keçirdik.

    We spent (conducted) this holiday together.

    Word by Word: We this holiday together spent.

    'Keçmək' (to pass) becomes 'keçirmək' (to spend time/conduct) in the causative form.

  5. Ana uşağa süd içirir.

    The mother is making the child drink milk.

    Word by Word: Mother child-to milk makes-drink.

    Notice the double '-ir-ir': the first is the causative suffix, and the second is the present tense marker.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the productive -dır suffix on verbs that require -ır.

    Mən çayı içdirdim.
    Mən çayı içirdim.

    For the verb 'içmək', the correct causative form is 'içirmək'. Using '-dirmək' is grammatically incorrect for this specific root.

  • Confusing the causative suffix with the present tense marker.

    O uşağı yatır.
    O uşağı yatırır.

    'Yatır' means 'he/she is sleeping'. To say 'he/she is putting the child to sleep', you must add the causative suffix to the stem first (yatır-), then add the tense marker (-ır).

How It Connects

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

-ır/-ir/-ur/-ür (icbar növü)Level 4Causative with -ır

Learn This First

To understand the -ır causative, learners must be familiar with four-way vowel harmony and the general function of causative suffixes in Azerbaijani, which transform intransitive verbs into transitive ones. Additionally, knowledge of the accusative case is required to correctly mark the object being 'caused' to act.