varsa/yoxdursa

Existential Conditional

Level 4

The existential conditional allows you to set conditions based on whether something exists or is possessed. Varsa means 'if it exists' or 'if [someone] has,' while yoxdursa means 'if it doesn't exist' or 'if [someone] doesn't have.'

How It Works

This pattern is essential for expressing conditions related to current states, availability, or possession.

1. Formation:

  • Varsa: var + -sa. Because 'var' has a back vowel, it always takes the -sa variant.
  • Yoxdursa: yox + -dur + -sa. The -dur particle is mandatory here to distinguish it from the conjunction yoxsa (meaning 'or').

2. Possession:
Azerbaijani uses existence to show possession. Therefore, these forms are the standard way to say 'if I have' or 'if you don't have.'
Example: Pulun varsa... (If your money exists... → If you have money...)

3. Usage with 'Əgər':
While the word əgər (if) is often used at the start of the sentence for emphasis, the suffixes on varsa and yoxdursa already carry the conditional meaning on their own.

4. Distinction from 'Olarsa':
Use varsa for things that exist right now. Use olarsa (from the verb olmaq) for things that might happen or become true in the future.

Examples (4)

  1. Sualın varsa, buyur soruş.

    If you have a question, go ahead and ask.

    Word by Word: Your-question if-exists, please ask.

    Here, 'varsa' indicates the condition of possessing a question.

  2. Vaxt yoxdursa, bu işi sabaha saxlaya bilərik.

    If there is no time, we can leave this work until tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Time if-not-exists, this work-acc to-tomorrow keep we-can.

    'Yoxdursa' sets the condition that time is unavailable.

  3. Əgər evdə heç kim yoxdursa, qapını bağla.

    If there is no one at home, close the door.

    Word by Word: If at-home no who if-not-exists, door-acc close.

    The word 'əgər' is used here for extra emphasis alongside 'yoxdursa'.

  4. Boş yer varsa, biz də oturaq.

    If there is an empty seat, let us sit too.

    Word by Word: Empty place if-exists, we also let-us-sit.

    'Varsa' refers to the physical availability of a seat.

Common Mistakes

  • Thinking yoxsa can only mean 'or'.

    Different MeaningPulun yoxsa, mən verərəm.
    Pulun yoxdursa, mən verərəm.

    Both sentences are correct. Here yoxsa is yox + -sa ('if you don't have'), the way soyuqsa means 'if it is cold'. The fuller yoxdursa is common in careful writing. On its own, yoxsa can also be the conjunction 'or' or 'otherwise'.

  • Applying incorrect vowel harmony to 'var'.

    Vaxtın varsə...
    Vaxtın varsa...

    'Var' contains a back vowel (a), so it must take the back-vowel suffix '-sa'.

How It Connects

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

varsa/yoxdursaLevel 4Existential Conditional

Learn This First

To understand the existential conditional, you must first be familiar with the basic existential particles 'var' (there is) and 'yox' (there is not). Additionally, you need to understand how the conditional suffix -sa/-sə functions, as it attaches to these particles to form 'if there is' or 'if there is not'.

Words in This Pattern

varyox