-lar/-lər

Plural Suffix

Level 1

Azerbaijani uses -lar or -lər to indicate more than one of something. The choice depends on the last vowel of the word.

How It Works

The plural suffix is the first suffix added to a noun stem. In Azerbaijani, the order of suffixes is very strict: Noun + Plural + Possessive + Case.

Key rules to remember:

  • Numbers: Unlike English, you usually do not use the plural suffix if a number or a quantity word (like 'many' or 'five') comes before the noun. See singular noun after numbers.
  • General Categories: Azerbaijani often uses the singular form for general, non-specific objects. For example, 'Kitab oxuyuram' means 'I read books' (in general), whereas 'Kitabları oxuyuram' means 'I am reading the (specific) books'.
  • Animate vs. Inanimate: If the subject is a person (animate), the verb usually takes a plural ending. If the subject is an object or animal (inanimate), the verb often stays singular even if the noun is plural.
  • Vowel Harmony: This is a 'two-way' suffix, meaning it only has two forms based on whether the last vowel is 'hard' (back) or 'soft' (front). See vowel harmony.

Examples (4)

  1. Kitablar masanın üstündədir.

    The books are on the table.

    Word by Word: Book-s table-of top-its-at-is.

    'Kitab' ends in a back vowel (a), so it takes '-lar'.

  2. Mənim evlərim çoxdur.

    I have many houses.

    Word by Word: My house-s-my many-is.

    'Ev' ends in a front vowel (e), so it takes '-lər'. Note that the plural suffix comes before the possessive '-im'.

  3. Uşaqlar həyətdə oynayırlar.

    The children are playing in the yard.

    Word by Word: Child-ren yard-in play-ing-plural.

    Since 'children' are people (animate), the verb also takes the plural suffix '-lar'.

  4. Beş alma aldım.

    I bought five apples.

    Word by Word: Five apple I-bought.

    We do not say 'almalar' here because the number 'beş' (five) already indicates plurality.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the plural suffix after a number.

    üç kitablar
    üç kitab

    In Azerbaijani, nouns remain singular when preceded by a specific number.

  • Violating vowel harmony.

    tələbəlar
    tələbələr

    The word 'tələbə' ends in 'ə' (a front vowel), so it must take the front-vowel suffix '-lər'.

  • Pluralizing verbs for inanimate objects.

    Daşlar düşdülər.
    Daşlar düşdü.

    For inanimate subjects like 'stones' (daşlar), the verb typically remains in the singular form.

How It Connects

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-lar/-lərLevel 1Plural Suffix

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Words in This Pattern

-lər