nə qədər -sa, o qədər
Correlative Conditional Degree
Use nə qədər ... -sa/-sə, o qədər to show that one action changes in direct proportion to another. It is the standard way to say 'the more you do X, the more Y happens.'
How It Works
The correlative conditional of degree is essential for expressing proportionality in Azerbaijani. It follows a specific structural formula:
1. The Subordinate Clause:
Starts with nə qədər (how much/as much). The verb must take the -sa/-sə suffix, followed by personal endings. This sets the 'condition' of quantity or intensity.
- Nə qədər çox oxusan... (The more you read...)
2. The Main Clause:
Starts with o qədər (that much). The verb here is usually in the indicative mood (present, future, or aorist).
- ...o qədər çox bilərsən. (...the more you will know.)
3. Nuances:
- Direction: While often translated as 'the more,' you can express 'the less' by using the adverb az (little/less).
- Emphasis: Adding bir before the second part (bir o qədər) adds emphasis, meaning 'exactly that much more.'
- Vowel Harmony: The suffix -sa follows back vowels (a, ı, o, u) and -sə follows front vowels (e, ə, i, ö, ü).
Examples (4)
- Nə qədər çox oxusan, o qədər çox bilərsən.
The more you read, the more you will know.
Word by Word: How much much you-read-if, that much much you-will-know.
A classic example showing the proportional relationship between reading and knowledge.
- Nə qədər tez gəlsən, o qədər yaxşı olar.
The sooner you come, the better it will be.
Word by Word: How much early you-come-if, that much good it-becomes.
Here, the degree of 'earliness' determines the degree of 'goodness'.
- İnsan nə qədər yaşlaşsa, bir o qədər təcrübəli olur.
The older a person gets, the more experienced they become.
Word by Word: Person how much gets-old-if, one that much experienced becomes.
The use of 'bir o qədər' adds a slight emphasis to the result.
- Nə qədər az yesən, o qədər tez arıqlayarsan.
The less you eat, the faster you will lose weight.
Word by Word: How much little you-eat-if, that much fast you-will-thin.
This shows the pattern works for decreasing quantities using 'az' (little/less).
Common Mistakes
Using the present tense where the usual conditional -sa/-sə form is expected.
Different MeaningNə qədər çox oxuyursan, o qədər çox bilirsən.Nə qədər çox oxusan, o qədər çox bilərsən.The usual form of this pattern puts -sa/-sə on the first verb (oxusan). A present tense in both clauses is understandable and also occurs in general statements, but the conditional is the pattern taught here.
Incorrect vowel harmony for the conditional suffix.
Nə qədər tez gəlsa...Nə qədər tez gəlsə...The verb 'gəlmək' has a front vowel (ə), so it must take the front-vowel suffix '-sə', not '-sa'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the correlative conditional degree pattern, learners must first be familiar with the conditional suffix (-sa/-sə) which links the two clauses. They also need to understand the use of 'qədər' for expressing extent or amount, and how the question word 'nə' functions in relative constructions.
- -sa/-səReal Conditional
The pattern uses the conditional suffix -sa/-sə on the verb in the first clause to establish the dependency.
Level 4 - qədərExtent or Equality with Qədər
The word 'qədər' is the core component used to express the degree or amount being compared.
Level 2 - nə (sual əvəzliyi)What Question Word
The pattern uses the question word 'nə' (what) combined with 'qədər' to form the relative degree marker 'nə qədər'.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- dahaComparative with Daha
Used for simple comparisons, whereas the target pattern compares changing degrees of two different actions.
Level 2 - -dıqca/-dikcəAs-or-whenever Clause
A similar progressive converb meaning 'as' or 'the more', often used as a more concise alternative to the nə qədər... -sa pattern.
Level 4 - kim/nə/hara + -saFree-choice Conditional Relative
Other relative-conditional structures that use a question word + conditional suffix to create 'whoever/whatever' meanings.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice nə qədər -sa, o qədər in Bubblegum
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