-(y)ın/-(y)in/-(y)un/-(y)ün

Plural or Polite Imperative

Level 2

The suffix -(y)ın/-(y)in/-(y)un/-(y)ün forms the plural or polite imperative. It turns a verb stem into a command or formal request.

How It Works

This suffix is attached directly to the verb stem (the infinitive minus -maq/-mək). It follows the rules of vowel harmony and requires a buffer consonant if the stem ends in a vowel.

1. Vowel Harmony (4-way):

  • -ın: after a, ı (e.g., bax → baxın)
  • -in: after e, ə, i (e.g., gəl → gəlin)
  • -un: after o, u (e.g., otur → oturun)
  • -ün: after ö, ü (e.g., gül → gülün)

2. The Buffer Consonant:
If the verb stem ends in a vowel, you must insert the buffer -y- before the suffix. For example: oxu (read) becomes oxuyun.

3. Stem Changes:
In the verbs getmək (to go) and etmək (to do), the final t changes to d when adding this suffix: gedin and edin.

4. Stress (Vurgu):
In the imperative mood, the suffix is unstressed. The stress falls on the last syllable of the verb stem (e.g., BAXın, OTURun).

5. High-Formal Variant:
For extremely formal contexts, such as official speeches or documents, the longer suffix -(y)ınız/-(y)iniz/-(y)unuz/-(y)ünüz is used (e.g., gəliniz, baxınız). This is the imperative equivalent of the second-person plural possessive ending.

6. Negation:
To tell someone not to do something, use the negative imperative marker before the suffix. Since the negative marker ends in a vowel, the buffer -y- is always used: gəlməyin (don't come).

Examples (5)

  1. Zəhmət olmasa, bura gəlin.

    Please come here.

    Word by Word: Trouble if-it-is-not, here come.

    Uses the polite suffix '-in' with the verb 'gəlmək' (to come).

  2. Kitabları masanın üstünə qoyun.

    Put the books on the table.

    Word by Word: Books-the table-of top-its-to put.

    A plural command using '-un' following the 'o' in 'qoymaq' (to put).

  3. Lütfən, qapını bağlamayın.

    Please, do not close the door.

    Word by Word: Please, door-the close-not.

    A negative polite command. Note the buffer '-y-' after the negative '-ma'.

  4. Diqqətlə qulaq asın.

    Listen carefully.

    Word by Word: Attention-with ear hang.

    A command addressed to a group (e.g., students in a classroom).

  5. Çay için.

    Drink tea.

    Word by Word: Tea drink.

    A polite offering or a plural command using 'içmək' (to drink).

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing the imperative with the present tense.

    Siz gəlirsiniz!
    Siz gəlin!

    'Gəlirsiniz' means 'You are coming' (a statement). 'Gəlin' is the command 'Come!'.

  • Forgetting the t to d change in common verbs.

    Getin!
    Gedin!

    For the verbs 'getmək' (to go) and 'etmək' (to do), the final 't' changes to 'd' when followed by a suffix starting with a vowel.

How It Connects

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

-(y)ın/-(y)in/-(y)un/-(y)ünLevel 2Plural or Polite Imperative

Learn This First

To learn the plural or polite imperative, you need to understand four-way vowel harmony to correctly attach the suffix variants. It is also helpful to be familiar with the second-person plural pronoun 'siz' and the corresponding possessive endings, as they share a similar structure and grammatical function.