başqa

Except or Besides with Başqa

Level 2

Use başqa after a noun in the ablative case to say 'except for' or 'besides'. It can also be used as an adjective meaning 'other' when it comes before a noun.

How It Works

In Azerbaijani, başqa functions in three primary ways:

1. As a Postposition (Except/Besides)
When başqa follows a noun or pronoun, that noun must take the ablative case suffix.

  • Exclusive (Except): 'Səndən başqa' (Except you).
  • Inclusive (Besides): 'Bundan başqa' (Besides this). In this sense, the particle da/də is often used later in the sentence.
  • Synonyms: You may also see özgə, ayrı, or the more formal savayı, which all require the ablative case.

2. As an Adjective (Other/Another)
When başqa precedes a noun, it acts as an adjective. Unlike the postpositional use, the adjective itself is invariable, but the noun it modifies can take any case suffix required by the sentence (e.g., başqa otaqda - in another room).

  • Başqa vs. Digər: Başqa usually means 'another' or 'different' (indefinite), while digər refers to 'the other' (specific/remaining).

3. Substantive Use (Someone else/Others)
Başqa can function as a noun by taking possessive and case suffixes. For example, başqası (someone else) or başqaları (others).

Examples (5)

  1. Səndən başqa heç kimə inanmıram.

    I don't believe anyone except you.

    Word by Word: You-from besides no who-to believe-not-I.

    Here, 'səndən' is the ablative form of 'sən' (you), and 'başqa' acts as an exclusive postposition.

  2. O, ingilis dilindən başqa, alman dilini də bilir.

    Besides English, he also knows German.

    Word by Word: He, English language-from besides, German language-its-acc also knows.

    In this inclusive context, 'başqa' indicates an addition. Notice the use of 'də' (also) to reinforce the meaning.

  3. Mənə başqa bir qələm ver.

    Give me another (different) pen.

    Word by Word: Me-to other one pen give.

    In this example, 'başqa' is an adjective. While the noun 'qələm' is in the nominative here, it could take any case required by the verb.

  4. Başqalarına bu haqda heç nə demə.

    Don't say anything about this to others.

    Word by Word: Others-to this about no what say-not.

    Here 'başqa' is used substantively. It takes the plural suffix '-lar' and the dative case '-a' to mean 'to others'.

  5. Başqa bir kitabda oxudum.

    I read it in another book.

    Word by Word: Other one book-in read-I.

    This shows 'başqa' as an adjective where the noun 'kitab' takes the locative case '-da'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the nominative case instead of the ablative case.

    Sən başqa hamı gəldi.
    Səndən başqa hamı gəldi.

    Postpositions like 'başqa' require a specific case. You must use the ablative suffix (-dan/-dən) on the preceding noun or pronoun.

  • Incorrect word order (placing 'başqa' before the noun when meaning 'except').

    Başqa səndən heç kim yoxdur.
    Səndən başqa heç kim yoxdur.

    In English, 'except' comes before the noun, but in Azerbaijani, postpositions always follow the noun they modify.

How It Connects

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

başqaLevel 2Except or Besides with Başqa

Learn This First

To use 'başqa' correctly, you must first understand the ablative case (-dan/-dən), as this pattern acts as a postposition governing that specific case. Familiarity with personal and demonstrative pronouns is also essential, as they frequently serve as the objects for this construction.

Words in This Pattern

başqa