-sın deyə

Purpose Clause with Deyə

Level 4

The pattern -sın deyə (and its variations) translates to 'so that' or 'in order that'. It connects an intended goal to an action.

How It Works

In Azerbaijani, while -maq üçün is often used for purpose when the subject remains the same, -sın deyə is the primary way to express purpose when the subject changes (e.g., 'I did this so that he would...').

1. Formation:
The verb in the purpose clause takes the imperative/optative ending corresponding to the subject of that clause, followed by deyə:

  • 1st Sing: -ım/-im/-um/-üm deyə (so that I...)
  • 2nd Sing: -asan/-əsən deyə (so that you...)
  • 3rd Sing: -sın/-sin/-sun/-sün deyə (so that he/she/it...)
  • 1st Plur: -aq/-ək deyə (so that we...)
  • 2nd Plur: -asınız/-əsiniz deyə (so that you all...)
  • 3rd Plur: -sınlar/-sinlər/-sunlar/-sünlər deyə (so that they...)

2. Nuance:
Because deyə comes from the verb 'to say' (demək), the pattern implies an internal motivation or 'saying to oneself' that a certain result should happen. It is very common in both spoken and written Azerbaijani.

3. Negation:
To express 'so that something does NOT happen', use the negative imperative form (e.g., -masın deyə).

Examples (5)

  1. Hamı eşitsin deyə ucadan danışdı.

    He spoke loudly so that everyone would hear.

    Word by Word: Everyone let-hear saying loudly he-spoke.

    The subject of the main verb is 'he', but the subject of the purpose is 'everyone'. Therefore, the 3rd person imperative 'eşitsin' is used.

  2. Uşaq yatsın deyə işığı söndürdüm.

    I turned off the light so that the child would sleep.

    Word by Word: Child let-sleep saying light I-extinguished.

    Here, 'I' performed the action so that 'the child' (a different subject) would achieve the result.

  3. Sən yorulmayasan deyə kömək edirəm.

    I am helping so that you don't get tired.

    Word by Word: You may-not-get-tired saying help I-am-doing.

    This uses the 2nd person negative form to show the purpose of the speaker's help.

  4. Gecikməyək deyə taksi tutduq.

    We took a taxi so that we wouldn't be late.

    Word by Word: Let-us-not-be-late saying taxi we-took.

    Uses the 1st person plural imperative/optative to show a collective purpose.

  5. Yağış yağmasın deyə dua edirdilər.

    They were praying so that it wouldn't rain.

    Word by Word: Rain let-not-fall saying prayer they-were-doing.

Common Mistakes

  • This sentence is fine, but it means 'because the child will sleep'.

    Different MeaningUşaq yatacaq deyə işığı söndürdüm.
    Uşaq yatsın deyə işığı söndürdüm.

    'Uşaq yatacaq deyə işığı söndürdüm' is correct, but with 'yatacaq' (will sleep) it means 'I turned off the light because the child will sleep'. For 'so that the child sleeps', use the imperative form 'yatsın'.

  • Using -maq üçün when the subjects are different.

    Onun gəlmək üçün qapını açdım.
    O gəlsin deyə qapını açdım.

    In Azerbaijani, the infinitive purpose marker '-maq üçün' usually implies the same subject. When the subjects differ, '-sın deyə' is the natural choice.

How It Connects

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

-sın deyəLevel 4Purpose Clause with Deyə

Learn This First

To understand the '-sın deyə' purpose clause, learners must first be familiar with the third-person imperative/optative suffix (-sın) and the use of 'deyə' as a linker that introduces intentions or reasons.

Words in This Pattern

deyə