var

Existence with Var

Level 1

In Azerbaijani, var is the primary way to say 'there is' or 'there are'. It is also used to express 'having' something, as Azerbaijani does not have a single verb like 'to have'.

How It Works

The word var is used to express existence and possession. It is a unique word that functions as a predicate.

1. Existence: It indicates that something exists in a location. The location takes the locative case.
Example: Otaqda stol var. (There is a table in the room.)

2. Possession: Azerbaijani distinguishes between two types of 'having':

  • Permanent/Ownership: Uses a possessive construction. While the genitive case can be used for the owner, it is often dropped. The possessive suffix on the object is mandatory. (e.g., [Mənim] kitabım var - I have a book).
  • Temporary: Uses the locative pronoun to show you have something on you right now. (e.g., Məndə kitab var - I have the book with me).

3. Personal Forms: Unlike many other predicates, var can take personal endings when referring to people (e.g., Mən varam - I exist/I am here). In formal contexts, it can also take the plural -dırlar suffix for people.

4. Tense and Negation:

  • Past: To say 'there was', use var with the idi particle (var idi or vardı).
  • Future: Use the verb olmaq (e.g., olacaq - there will be).
  • Negation: The opposite of var is yox or yoxdur.

5. Questions: A question can be marked by intonation alone or by the varmı question particle, which is ordinary in everyday speech and writing.

Examples (6)

  1. Masada kitab var.

    There is a book on the table.

    Word by Word: Table-on book exists.

    A simple statement of existence in a location using the locative case.

  2. Mənim sualım var.

    I have a question.

    Word by Word: My question-my exists.

    Possession using the genitive pronoun 'mənim' and the possessive suffix '-ım'. The pronoun is often dropped in speech.

  3. Məndə kitab var.

    I have the book (on me).

    Word by Word: Me-in book exists.

    This uses the locative case to show temporary possession (having something on your person right now).

  4. Otaqda heç kim yoxdur.

    There is no one in the room.

    Word by Word: Room-in no who non-exists.

    The negative form 'yox' or 'yoxdur' is used to show non-existence.

  5. Dünən vaxtım var idi.

    I had time yesterday.

    Word by Word: Yesterday time-my existing was.

    The past tense is formed by adding 'idi' or the suffix '-dı' to 'var'.

  6. Azərbaycanın böyük tarixi vardır.

    Azerbaijan has a great history.

    Word by Word: Azerbaijan-of great history-its exists-is.

    The form 'vardır' is used for assertive statements and general truths.

Common Mistakes

  • Trying to pluralize 'var' for inanimate plural subjects.

    Kitablar varlar.
    Kitablar var.

    In Azerbaijani, the existential 'var' does not take the plural suffix '-lar' when referring to inanimate objects like books.

  • Omitting the possessive suffix when expressing 'to have'.

    Mənim kitab var.
    Mənim kitabım var.

    When using the genitive (Mənim), the noun must have a matching possessive suffix like -(ı)m.

  • Choosing 'var' where 'olacaq' fits better.

    Different MeaningSabah vaxt var.
    Sabah vaxt olacaq.

    'Sabah vaxt var' is a good sentence: 'var' can speak about tomorrow when it is already set or known. Use 'olacaq' when you predict that something will come to be ('Sabah vaxt olacaq').

How It Connects

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varLevel 1Existence with Var

Learn This First

To understand 'var', you need to know how to use nouns in their basic (nominative) form and where to place the predicate in a sentence. Since 'var' functions as a nominal predicate, familiarity with how Azerbaijani handles third-person existence is helpful.

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var