Impersonal passive

Level 4

The impersonal passive (şəxssiz növ) is used to talk about actions in a general sense ('one does', 'people do') without a specific subject. It is formed by adding passive suffixes to intransitive verbs.

How It Works

The impersonal passive is a unique feature of Azerbaijani grammar used primarily in formal, legal, and academic contexts, though it appears in daily speech for general rules.

1. Formation:
It uses the same suffixes as the passive voice:

  • -ıl, -il, -ul, -ül (following vowel harmony) for consonant stems.
  • If the verb stem ends in 'l', the suffix -ın, -in, -un, -ün is used instead (e.g., gülmək → gülünmək).
  • If the verb stem ends in a vowel, the suffix -n is used (e.g., yaşamaq → yaşanmaq).

2. Intransitive Verbs:
This pattern is specifically for intransitive verbs (verbs that cannot take a direct object). Because there is no object to become the subject, the sentence remains subjectless. This construction is most natural with 'unergative' verbs—actions typically controlled by humans like walking or talking—and is rarely used with unaccusative verbs (actions not controlled by the subject, like 'to die').

3. Usage:
It describes what is generally done or expected. It is often translated into English using 'one', 'people', or a generic 'you'.

4. Syntax:
The verb is always in the 3rd person singular. You cannot add a subject like mən or 'insanlar' (people). Furthermore, unlike the regular passive, the actor must remain completely anonymous; an agent cannot be added even with the phrase tərəfindən.

Examples (4)

  1. Bu mövzuda çox danışılır.

    Much is spoken on this topic. / People talk a lot about this topic.

    Word by Word: This topic-in much speak-passive-present.

    The verb 'danışmaq' (to speak) is intransitive here. The sentence describes a general state of discussion without naming who is talking.

  2. Bayram günlərində şəhərə gedilir.

    One goes to the city on holidays.

    Word by Word: Holiday days-in city-to go-passive-present.

    Using the passive suffix on 'getmək' (to go) creates a general statement about what people usually do during holidays.

  3. Burada yatılmaz.

    One does not sleep here. / Sleeping is not allowed here.

    Word by Word: Here-at sleep-passive-aorist-negative.

    This uses the negative aorist to state a general rule or prohibition.

  4. Oraya necə gedilir?

    How does one get there?

    Word by Word: There-to how go-passive-present?

    A common way to ask for general directions or methods of travel.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding a subject to an impersonal passive sentence.

    İnsanlar burada danışılır.
    Burada danışılır.

    The impersonal passive is subjectless by definition. If you want to mention 'people', you must use the active voice: 'İnsanlar burada danışırlar'.

  • Using the wrong suffix for stems ending in 'l'.

    Burada gülülür.
    Burada gülünür.

    When a verb stem ends in 'l' (like gül-), the suffix changes to -ın/-in/-un/-ün to avoid the double 'l' sound.

How It Connects

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Impersonal passiveLevel 4

Learn This First

To understand the impersonal passive, you must first be familiar with the standard passive suffixes (-ıl and -n) and how they are applied to verb stems. Additionally, since impersonal passives often describe general rules or common occurrences, understanding the aorist tense (-ar/-ər) is essential for interpreting their most common usage.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-il-n