-ın/-in/-un/-ün (qayıdış növü)

Reflexive Verb Suffix

Level 3

The reflexive voice (qayıdış növü) uses the suffix -ın/-in/-un/-ün (or -n) to show that the subject is both the doer and the receiver of the action.

How It Works

The reflexive suffix is added to transitive verb stems to turn the action back onto the subject. It follows the rules of vowel harmony.

1. Formation:

  • Consonant stems: Add -ın, -in, -un, or -ün based on the last vowel. (e.g., gey- + -in = geyinmək)
  • Vowel stems: Add only -n. (e.g., dara- + -n = daranmaq)
  • Exceptions: The verbs yu- (wash) and de- (say) take the full suffix: yuyunmaq (to wash oneself) and deyinmək (to grumble/mutter).

2. Meaning & Usage:
Beyond simple 'self' actions, this suffix also functions as a 'middle voice.' It describes actions that happen spontaneously or states the subject enters into, such as sevinmək (to rejoice/be happy) or döyünmək (to pound, like a heart).

3. Distinction from Passive:
This suffix is closely related to the passive voice. While the reflexive means 'doing to oneself,' the passive means 'being done by someone else.' Note that for all vowel stems, the reflexive and passive suffixes are identical (-n), and the meaning must be determined by context. Additionally, if a consonant stem ends in 'l', the passive voice uses the reflexive suffix shape (e.g., alınmaq - to be bought) to avoid double 'l' sounds.

Examples (5)

  1. Uşaq səhər tezdən yuyundu.

    The child washed himself early in the morning.

    Word by Word: Child morning early washed-himself.

    The verb 'yuyunmaq' is the reflexive form of 'yumaq' (to wash).

  2. O, qonaqlığa getmək üçün tez geyindi.

    He got dressed quickly to go to the party.

    Word by Word: He, party-to go-to for quickly dressed-himself.

    The suffix -in is added to 'gey-' (to wear) to mean 'to dress oneself'.

  3. Qız güzgünün qabağında darandı.

    The girl combed her hair in front of the mirror.

    Word by Word: Girl mirror-of front-in combed-herself.

    Since 'dara-' ends in a vowel, only -n is added to make it reflexive.

  4. Ürəyim bərk döyünür.

    My heart is beating fast.

    Word by Word: Heart-my hard pounds-reflexively.

    This shows the 'middle voice' function, where the action happens spontaneously to the subject.

  5. Biz bu xəbərə çox sevindik.

    We were very happy about this news.

    Word by Word: We this news-to very rejoiced.

    The verb 'sevinmək' (to rejoice) is a common reflexive/middle voice verb in Azerbaijani.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the reflexive pronoun 'öz' redundantly.

    Different MeaningMən özümü yuyundum.
    Mən yuyundum.

    While 'özümü' (myself) is not grammatically wrong, it is usually redundant when the reflexive suffix is already on the verb. Native speakers prefer the shorter version.

  • Confusing reflexive with passive voice.

    Maşın yuyundu.
    Maşın yuyuldu.

    'Yuyundu' means the car washed itself (reflexive), which is impossible. 'Yuyuldu' means the car was washed (passive).

How It Connects

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-ın/-in/-un/-ün (qayıdış növü)Level 3Reflexive Verb Suffix

Learn This First

To understand reflexive verbs, you need to be familiar with four-way vowel harmony to correctly attach the -ın/-in/-un/-ün suffix to verb stems. It is also helpful to understand basic verb conjugation, particularly the past tense, as reflexive actions are often described as completed events. Finally, recognizing that this suffix looks identical to the second-person singular possessive suffix will help you distinguish between 'your X' (noun) and 'doing X to oneself' (verb).

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Words in This Pattern

-in