N-də var

Locative Existential

Level 1

Location + -da/-də + Subject + var
Example: Bakıda metro var. (There is a metro in Baku.)

How It Works

To use this pattern, follow these steps:

1. The Location: Start with the noun representing the place and attach the locative case suffix (-da/-də).

  • Use -da for back vowels (a, ı, o, u). Example: Parkda (In the park).
  • Use -də for front vowels (e, ə, i, ö, ü). Example: Evdə (At home).

2. The Subject: Place the thing that exists after the location. If you use a number, the noun remains singular (see singular nouns after numbers).

3. The Predicate: End the sentence with var. In Azerbaijani, var is an existential adjective, not a verb, so it does not change for person or number in the present tense.

Important Note: Unlike Turkish, Azerbaijani does not change the 'd' to 't' after voiceless consonants. It is always məktəbdə, never məktəptə.

Examples (4)

  1. Bakıda metro var.

    There is a metro in Baku.

    Word by Word: Baku-in metro exists.

    A simple statement of existence in a city.

  2. Otaqda iki pəncərə var.

    There are two windows in the room.

    Word by Word: Room-in two window exists.

    Note that 'pəncərə' (window) stays singular even though there are two.

  3. Məktəbdə müəllim var.

    There is a teacher at the school.

    Word by Word: School-in teacher exists.

    Standard usage showing the locative suffix -də remains voiced after the 'b' sound.

  4. Stolda kitab var.

    There is a book on the table.

    Word by Word: Table-on book exists.

    Used when introducing the existence of a book for the first time.

Common Mistakes

  • Using Turkish-style 't' in the locative suffix.

    Parkta uşaq var.
    Parkda uşaq var.

    In Azerbaijani, the locative suffix is always -da or -də. It does not change to -ta or -tə after voiceless consonants like 'k'.

  • Pluralizing the noun after a number.

    Otaqda beş uşaqlar var.
    Otaqda beş uşaq var.

    In Azerbaijani, nouns following a number must remain in the singular form.

  • Placing 'var' at the beginning of the sentence.

    Different MeaningVar bir kitab stolda.
    Stolda bir kitab var.

    In neutral word order the existential predicate 'var' goes at the end of the clause. Putting it first is possible only for special emphasis or in storytelling.

How It Connects

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

N-də varLevel 1Locative Existential

Learn This First

To understand the 'N-də var' pattern, you first need to know how to form the locative case (-da/-də) to indicate a place. This pattern then combines that location with the word 'var' (there is/exists) to express existence.

Words in This Pattern

var-də