özüm/özün/özü
Possessed Reflexive Forms
Azerbaijani uses the root öz combined with possessive suffixes to mean 'myself', 'yourself', etc. It functions as both a reflexive object (I saw myself) and an emphatic subject (I did it myself).
How It Works
The reflexive pronoun is formed by taking the root öz and adding the appropriate possessive ending based on vowel harmony. Since 'öz' contains the rounded front vowel 'ö', the singular and 1st/2nd person plural suffixes use the 'ü' variant. However, the 3rd person plural uses the plural suffix first, which shifts the harmony.
1. Conjugation Table:
- özüm: myself (1st Sg)
- özün: yourself (2nd Sg)
- özü: himself / herself / itself (3rd Sg)
- özümüz: ourselves (1st Pl)
- özünüz: yourselves (2nd Pl)
- özləri: themselves (3rd Pl - note the 'i' variant following '-lər')
2. Case Markings:
These forms can take case endings just like regular nouns. When adding a case suffix to the 3rd person özü, you must use the buffer 'n' (e.g., özünü, özünə).
3. Reflexive vs. Emphatic:
It is used as a reflexive object when the subject and object are the same: Mən özümü gördüm (I saw myself). It is used as an emphatic pronoun to show the subject acted alone: Mən özüm etdim (I did it myself).
4. Distinction from 'öz' (Adjective):
The bare root öz functions as a possessive adjective meaning 'own'. Compare: öz kitabım (my own book) vs. özüm (myself).
Examples (5)
- Mən özümü güzgüdə gördüm.
I saw myself in the mirror.
Word by Word: I my-self-acc mirror-in saw.
Here, 'özümü' uses the 1st person possessive -üm and the accusative case -ü to function as the object.
- Sən özün bu işi bacararsan.
You yourself can handle this job.
Word by Word: You your-self this work-acc can-do.
In this sentence, 'özün' is used for emphasis, highlighting that 'you' (and no one else) can do it.
- O, özünə yeni bir maşın aldı.
He bought a new car for himself.
Word by Word: He his-self-to new a car bought.
Note the buffer 'n' in 'özünə' before the dative case ending -ə.
- Biz özümüzü çox yaxşı hiss edirik.
We feel ourselves very well (We feel very good).
Word by Word: We our-selves-acc very well feel do.
Uses the 1st person plural form 'özümüz' with the accusative case.
- Uşaqlar özləri dərslərini hazırladılar.
The children prepared their lessons themselves.
Word by Word: Children them-selves lessons-their-acc prepared.
The 3rd person plural form 'özləri' emphasizes that the children acted independently.
Common Mistakes
Using the bare root 'öz' as a pronoun.
Mən öz etdim.Mən özüm etdim.The root 'öz' must always have a possessive suffix to function as a pronoun (myself, yourself, etc.).
Forgetting the buffer 'n' in 3rd person case forms.
O özü-ü sevir.O özünü sevir.When adding case suffixes to 'özü', a buffer 'n' is required: özü + n + ü.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand possessed reflexive forms, a learner must first know the base reflexive pronoun 'öz' and how to apply standard possessive suffixes (first, second, and third person) to nouns, as these same suffixes are applied to 'öz' to indicate who the reflexive action refers to.
Related Patterns
- -ım/-im/-um/-ümFirst-person Singular Possessive
The 1st person singular possessive suffix used to create 'özüm'.
Level 2 - -(s)ı/-(s)i/-(s)u/-(s)ü (mənsubiyyət)Third-person Singular Possessive
The 3rd person singular possessive suffix used to create 'özü'.
Level 2 - -n-Buffer N After Possessive
Explains the buffer 'n' used when adding case endings to 'özü' and 'özləri'.
Level 2 - -ın/-in/-un/-ün (qayıdış növü)Reflexive Verb Suffix
An alternative way to express reflexivity through verb suffixes rather than pronouns.
Level 3 - Genitive-possessive noun phrase
The reflexive pronoun follows the same logic as possessive noun phrases.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice özüm/özün/özü in Bubblegum
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