ki (tamamlıq cümləsi)
Complement Clause with Ki
The conjunction ki is used to connect a main verb (like 'say', 'know', or 'see') to a full sentence that explains what was said, known, or seen. It is the Azerbaijani equivalent of the English word 'that' in reported speech.
How It Works
The ki tamamlıq cümləsi (complement clause) is a Persian-influenced structure that is extremely common in Azerbaijani. It allows for more complex information to be shared without the 'wrapping' effect of native participles.
1. Usage with Verbs:
It is primarily used with verbs of:
- Speech: demək (to say), bildirmək (to state), xəbər vermək (to inform).
- Cognition: bilmək (to know), inanmaq (to believe), düşünmək (to think).
- Perception: görmək (to see), eşitmək (to hear), hiss etmək (to feel).
2. The Placeholder Pronoun (Əvəzlik-qəlib):
Often, the main clause includes a 'placeholder' like bunu (this-acc) or onu (that-acc) to signal that a clause is coming. For example: Mən bunu bilirəm ki... (I know this: that...).
3. Punctuation and Spelling:
In Azerbaijani, ki is always written as a separate word. Crucially, a comma must follow ki when it introduces a clause. This is a major difference from English, where the comma (if any) would come before 'that'.
4. Register:
While native participles are often used in formal writing for brevity, the ki construction is standard in all registers, including formal news and legal documents.
Examples (5)
- Müəllim dedi ki, sabah dərs olmayacaq.
The teacher said that there will be no lesson tomorrow.
Word by Word: Teacher said that, tomorrow lesson will-not-be.
Here, 'ki' introduces the reported speech following the verb 'dedi' (said).
- Mən bilirəm ki, sən haqlısan.
I know that you are right.
Word by Word: I know that, you right-are.
The verb 'bilmək' (to know) is followed by 'ki' to introduce the fact being known.
- Hamı inanır ki, biz qalib gələcəyik.
Everyone believes that we will win.
Word by Word: Everyone believes that, we winner will-come.
The clause explains the object of the belief (inanmaq).
- Eşitmişəm ki, Bakıda hava çox istidir.
I have heard that the weather is very hot in Baku.
Word by Word: I-have-heard that, in-Baku weather very hot-is.
Used with a verb of perception (eşitmək) to report information received.
- Mənə elə gəlir ki, biz yolu azmışıq.
It seems to me that we have lost our way.
Word by Word: To-me so it-comes that, we way-acc have-lost.
A common idiomatic expression 'mənə elə gəlir ki' (it seems to me that...).
Common Mistakes
Applying vowel harmony to 'ki'.
Mən bildim kı, o gəlib.Mən bildim ki, o gəlib.The conjunction 'ki' is invariant. It never changes to 'kı', 'ku', or 'kü' regardless of the preceding word's vowels.
Placing the comma before 'ki' instead of after it.
Dedi, ki gələcək.Dedi ki, gələcək.In Azerbaijani orthography, the comma follows the conjunction 'ki' when it introduces a clause.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'ki' complement clauses, learners need to be familiar with the particle 'ki' itself and the basic verbs of speech and cognition. Crucially, they must understand that this structure allows for a more European-style sentence order (Main Clause + ki + Subordinate Clause), which contrasts with the native Turkic participial constructions.
Related Patterns
- -dığını/-diyini (tamamlıq)Factual Complement Clause
This is the native Turkic alternative to the 'ki' clause. While 'ki' is head-initial (Verb + ki + Clause), '-dığını' is head-final (Clause + Verb).
Level 4 - -acağını/-əcəyini (tamamlıq)Future Complement Clause
The future-tense version of the native participial complement, often used as a more formal alternative to 'ki' clauses involving future actions.
Level 4 - deyəDeyə Quotative Linker
Another way to report speech or thoughts, usually placing the reported content before the main verb.
Level 3 - bildirilir kiImpersonal Reported Statement
A formal, impersonal passive construction that frequently uses the 'ki' complement structure in news reporting.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- mümkündür kiFormal Possibility ClauseLevel 5
- məlum olur kiInferred Discovery ClauseLevel 5
- ola bilsin kiPossible Clause with Ola Bilsin KiLevel 5
- qeyd olunur kiFormal Noted StatementLevel 5
- belə qənaət yaranır kiEmergent Conclusion FrameLevel 6
- buradan belə nəticə çıxır kiFormal Inference FrameLevel 6
- nəzərə almaq lazımdır kiNecessary-consideration FrameLevel 6
- nəzərə alsaq kiIf-we-consider FrameLevel 6
And 2 more in the full list.
Words in This Pattern
Practice ki (tamamlıq cümləsi) in Bubblegum
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