ki (bağlayıcı)
Ki Complement Clauses
The conjunction ki is used to link a main verb (like 'say', 'know', or 'think') to a subordinate clause that provides the content of that action. When it links two clauses, it is followed by a comma.
How It Works
The ki complement clause is a standard way to form complex sentences in Azerbaijani. It is particularly common with verbs of perception, cognition, and communication.
1. Structure and Word Order:
The basic pattern is: [Subject] + [Main Verb] + ki, + [Subordinate Clause].
Example: Mən bilirəm ki, sən gələcəksən. (I know that you will come.)
Azerbaijani allows for flexibility in the main clause. The subject is often dropped if it is clear from the context, and other elements like dative objects can precede the verb:
- Mənə dedilər ki, gəlməyəcəksən. (They told me that you won't come.)
- Hamı bilir ki, o, yaxşı adamdır. (Everyone knows that he is a good person.)
2. Punctuation:
In written Azerbaijani, a comma is obligatory immediately after the word ki when it functions as a complementizer (linking two clauses). However, do not use a comma when it is used as an emphatic particle (e.g., Mən ki belə deməmişdim! - But I didn't say that!).
3. Usage with Verbs:
It is most frequently used with verbs such as:
- demək (to say)
- bilmək (to know)
- görmək (to see)
- eşitmək (to hear)
- fikirləşmək (to think)
- hiss etmək (to feel)
4. Comparison with Suffixes:
While Azerbaijani also uses participial suffixes like -dığını/-diyini to form complement clauses, the ki construction is extremely common in both spoken and formal written language.
Examples (5)
- O dedi ki, sabah işə getməyəcək.
He said that he won't go to work tomorrow.
Word by Word: He said that, tomorrow to-work he-will-not-go.
Here, 'ki' introduces the content of what was said.
- Mən bilirəm ki, sən haqlısan.
I know that you are right.
Word by Word: I know that, you right-are.
The main verb 'bilirəm' (I know) is followed by 'ki' to introduce the fact being known.
- Hamı görür ki, hava çox soyuqdur.
Everyone sees that the weather is very cold.
Word by Word: Everyone sees that, weather very cold-is.
Used here with a verb of perception ('görür') to describe an observed state.
- Mənə elə gəlir ki, biz yolu azmışıq.
It seems to me that we have lost our way.
Word by Word: To-me so it-comes that, we road-the have-lost.
The phrase 'elə gəlir ki' is a common way to express 'it seems that'.
- Eşitmişəm ki, Bakıda yeni park açılıb.
I have heard that a new park has opened in Baku.
Word by Word: I-have-heard that, in-Baku new park has-opened.
Introduces reported information using the verb 'eşitmək' (to hear).
Common Mistakes
Applying vowel harmony to 'ki'.
Bilirəm kı, gələcəksən.Bilirəm ki, gələcəksən.The conjunction 'ki' is invariant. It never changes to 'kı', 'ku', or 'kü', regardless of the preceding word's vowels.
Misplacing the comma with the emphatic particle.
Sən ki, bunu bilirdin!Sən ki bunu bilirdin!A comma is only used when 'ki' acts as a conjunction introducing a new clause. When it is used as an emphatic particle to stress a word, no comma should follow it.
Confusing the conjunction with the possessive suffix.
Mənim ki buradadır.Mənimki buradadır.The conjunction 'ki' is a separate word. The suffix '-ki' (meaning 'the one belonging to...') is attached directly to the noun or pronoun.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'ki' complement clauses, a learner needs to be comfortable with basic Azerbaijani sentence structure (SOV) and the conjugation of common matrix verbs like 'to say' (demək), 'to know' (bilmək), and 'to think' (düşünmək) in the present and past tenses.
Related Patterns
- ki (qüvvətləndirici)Emphatic Ki
The same word 'ki' can be used at the end of a sentence for emphasis rather than as a clause linker.
Level 3 - -dığını/-diyini (tamamlıq)Factual Complement Clause
This suffix-based construction is the native Turkic alternative to the 'ki' complement clause.
Level 4 - çünkiBecause Clause
Another common conjunction that, like 'ki', introduces a subordinate clause (meaning 'because').
Level 3 - Basic SOV word order
While Azerbaijani is usually SOV, the 'ki' clause creates a complex sentence where the subordinate clause follows the main verb.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- bildirilir kiImpersonal Reported StatementLevel 5
- deyə (sitat bağlayıcısı)Quotative Connector DeyəLevel 5
- ehtimal kiProbable Possibility Ehtimal KiLevel 5
- görünür kiEvidential Inference with Görünür KiLevel 5
- güman kiSuppositional Stance Güman KiLevel 5
- hesab olunur kiEvaluative Formula Hesab Olunur KiLevel 5
- iddia olunur kiReported AllegationLevel 5
Words in This Pattern
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