məhz

Məhz Exact Focus

Level 3

Use məhz before a word to signal that it is the precise subject of your statement, excluding ambiguity.

How It Works

The particle məhz is a powerful tool for precision in Azerbaijani. Unlike general emphasis, it specifically targets the identity of an element.

1. Placement and Form:

  • It usually precedes the word or phrase it emphasizes.
  • It is invariable; it does not change based on vowel harmony or take any suffixes.

2. Usage Contexts:

  • Identifying People: To clarify exactly who performed an action.
  • Specifying Reasons: Often used with görə or çünki to highlight a specific cause.
  • Temporal Focus: To pinpoint an exact moment in time.

3. Register:
While common in formal writing and journalism to ensure clarity, it is frequently used in daily speech to resolve misunderstandings or add strong personal conviction to a statement.

Examples (4)

  1. Məhz bu səbəbdən biz planı dəyişdik.

    It is exactly for this reason that we changed the plan.

    Word by Word: Exactly this reason-from we plan-acc changed.

    Here, 'məhz' emphasizes the specific reason, leaving no doubt about why the plan was changed.

  2. Qələbə məhz bizim olacaq!

    The victory will be precisely ours!

    Word by Word: Victory exactly ours will-be!

    Using 'məhz' before the possessive pronoun 'bizim' (ours) emphasizes that the victory belongs to no one else.

  3. Niyə məhz onu seçdin?

    Why did you choose specifically him/her?

    Word by Word: Why exactly him/her-acc you-chose?

    In a question, 'məhz' asks for the specific justification for choosing that particular person out of many.

  4. Məhz sən mənə kömək edə bilərsən.

    Exactly you (and no one else) can help me.

    Word by Word: Exactly you me-to help do can-you.

    This singles out 'sən' (you) as the only person capable or intended for the task.

Common Mistakes

  • Both are correct, but 'məhz' usually comes right before the word it singles out.

    Different MeaningSən məhz gəldin.
    Məhz sən gəldin.

    'Sən məhz gəldin' is possible, but 'məhz' usually comes right before the word it singles out. To say 'it was exactly you who came', put it before 'sən': 'Məhz sən gəldin'.

  • This is correct, but it means 'exactly five manat', not 'only five'.

    Different MeaningMəhz beş manatım var.
    Cəmi beş manatım var.

    'Məhz beş manatım var' is correct, but it means 'I have exactly five manat'. 'Məhz' points to precision, not to a small amount. For 'only five manat', use 'cəmi' or 'ancaq'.

How It Connects

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

məhzLevel 3Məhz Exact Focus

Learn This First

The particle 'məhz' is a focus marker used to emphasize a specific part of a sentence (exactly, specifically). To use it, a learner should be comfortable with basic Azerbaijani sentence structure and how nouns function as subjects or objects, as the particle precedes the word it modifies.

Words in This Pattern

məhz