-ıldı
Past Passive
The past passive (-ıldı) indicates that something was done to the subject in the past. It is the passive version of the definite past tense.
How It Works
The past passive is used when the focus is on the action itself rather than who performed it. It is very common in formal writing, news, and legal contexts.
1. Formation Rules:
- Consonant stems (except 'l'): Use -ıl / -il / -ul / -ül + -dı / -di / -du / -dü. Example: yaz-ıl-dı (it was written).
- Multi-syllable vowel stems: Use -n + -dı / -di / -du / -dü. Example: oxu-n-du (it was read).
- Single-syllable vowel stems: These stems (like de-, ye-, yu-) use a buffer 'y' and the consonant-stem suffix -ıl / -il / -ul / -ül. Example: de-y-il-di (it was said), yu-y-ul-du (it was washed).
- Stems ending in 'l': Use -ın / -in / -un / -ün + -dı / -di / -du / -dü to avoid double 'l'. Example: al-ın-dı (it was bought/taken).
2. Impersonal Passive:
Unlike English, Azerbaijani allows impersonal passives where even intransitive verbs can become passive to describe a general action. Example: Bakıya ged-il-di (One went to Baku).
3. Mentioning the Agent:
If you must mention who did the action, use the phrase tərəfindən (by). However, in natural speech, Azerbaijanis prefer the active voice if the doer is known.
Examples (5)
- Qapı qəflətən açıldı.
The door was suddenly opened.
Word by Word: Door suddenly was-opened.
Here, 'açmaq' (to open) ends in a consonant, so '-ıl' is added, followed by the past tense '-dı'.
- Yeni qanun dünən qəbul edildi.
The new law was accepted yesterday.
Word by Word: New law yesterday accept was-done.
In compound verbs with 'etmək', the auxiliary verb becomes passive: 'edildi'.
- Bu kitab çox maraqla oxundu.
This book was read with great interest.
Word by Word: This book very interest-with was-read.
Since 'oxumaq' ends in a vowel, the suffix '-n' is used for the passive voice.
- Məsələ iclasda müzakirə olundu.
The issue was discussed at the meeting.
Word by Word: Issue meeting-at discussion was-become.
For verbs using 'olmaq', the passive form is 'olundu' (using the -un variant for 'l' stems).
- Bütün biletlər satıldı.
All the tickets were sold.
Word by Word: All tickets were-sold.
A standard passive construction showing a completed action in the definite past.
Common Mistakes
Using -ıl instead of -ın for stems ending in 'l'.
Biletlər alıldı.Biletlər alındı.If a verb stem ends in 'l', you must use the -ın/-in/-un/-ün suffix to avoid the awkward 'll' sound.
This is correct, but the active sentence is lighter when the doer is known.
Different MeaningMəktub mənim tərəfimdən yazıldı.Məktubu mən yazdım.While the passive with 'tərəfindən' is grammatically correct, it sounds like a translation. Native speakers prefer the active voice if the subject is known.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the passive past (-ıldı), you must first be familiar with the simple witnessed past tense (-dı) and how the passive voice is formed using the -ıl suffix. Additionally, a firm grasp of 4-way vowel harmony is required to correctly conjugate these combined suffixes.
Related Patterns
- -n (məchul növ)Vowel-stem Passive
This is the passive suffix specifically used for verb stems ending in a vowel.
Level 4 - -dı/-di/-du/-düSimple Witnessed Past
The passive past is built by adding passive suffixes to this definite past tense marker.
Level 2 - tərəfindən (məchul növ)Passive Agent with Tərəfindən
Used to specify 'by whom' the action was performed in a passive sentence.
Level 4 - Impersonal passive
A specific use of the passive voice where the verb does not have a logical direct object.
Level 4 - -ın/-in/-un/-ün (qayıdış növü)Reflexive Verb Suffix
This suffix is identical to the passive suffix used for 'l' stems, but indicates the subject doing the action to themselves.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice -ıldı in Bubblegum
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