-a-a/-ə-ə

Repeated Manner Converb

Level 3

The -a/-ə reduplicated converb is used to describe how someone does something (manner) or to show two actions happening at the same time. You take the verb stem, add -a or -ə, and repeat the whole word twice (e.g., gülə-gülə - laughing).

How It Works

The repeated manner converb is a staple of Azerbaijani speech, providing a descriptive, almost pictorial quality to sentences.

1. Formation:
The suffix follows two-way vowel harmony:

  • -a: Used after back vowels (a, ı, o, u). Example: qaça-qaça (running).
  • -ə: Used after front vowels (e, ə, i, ö, ü). Example: gülə-gülə (laughing).

If the verb stem ends in a vowel, you must insert the buffer consonant -y- before the suffix. For example, oxu (read/sing) becomes oxuya-oxuya.

2. Usage:
This form is strictly adverbial. It describes the state of the subject while they perform the main action. It is most commonly used with verbs of motion, emotion, or continuous sound.

3. Key Characteristics:

  • Reduplication: In modern Azerbaijani, this suffix is almost always repeated to show manner. While usually the same verb is repeated, it can also involve two different but semantically related verbs, such as deyə-gülə (talking and laughing).
  • State with 'qalmaq': A common idiomatic construction involves using this converb with the auxiliary verb qalmaq (to stay/remain). This indicates being left in a specific state, often one of surprise or helplessness, such as baxa-baxa qalmaq (to be left staring).
  • Subject Restrictions: Generally, the person performing the 'repeated' action must be the same person performing the main verb. However, the single form deyə often introduces clauses where the subjects can differ.
  • Non-finite: This form does not change for tense or person. Only the final verb in the sentence carries those markers.

Examples (6)

  1. Uşaq ağlaya-ağlaya anasına tərəf qaçdı.

    The child ran toward his mother crying.

    Word by Word: Child crying-crying mother-his toward ran.

    Here, 'ağlaya-ağlaya' describes the manner in which the child was running.

  2. O, mahnı oxuya-oxuya evi təmizləyir.

    He/she is cleaning the house while singing a song.

    Word by Word: He/she song singing-singing house-the cleans.

    This shows two simultaneous actions: singing and cleaning.

  3. Qonaqlar gülə-gülə otağa daxil oldular.

    The guests entered the room laughing.

    Word by Word: Guests laughing-laughing room-into entered.

    The guests were in a continuous state of laughing as they performed the main action of entering.

  4. Yolu danışa-danışa getdik.

    We walked the way while talking.

    Word by Word: Way-the talking-talking we-went.

    The repetition emphasizes that the talking continued throughout the entire walk.

  5. Mən ona baxa-baxa qaldım.

    I was left staring at him/her.

    Word by Word: I him/her looking-looking stayed.

    When used with the auxiliary verb qalmaq, this converb indicates being left in a certain state or staring helplessly.

  6. Biz bütün günü deyə-gülə gəzdik.

    We walked around all day talking and laughing.

    Word by Word: We all day-the saying-laughing walked.

    Reduplication can also involve two different but related verbs, like 'demək' (to say) and 'gülmək' (to laugh), to describe a general mood or manner.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the buffer consonant -y- after vowel stems.

    O, oxua-oxua gəldi.
    O, oxuya-oxuya gəldi.

    When a verb stem ends in a vowel (like 'oxu-'), you must add -y- before the -a/-ə suffix to prevent two vowels from clashing.

  • Using the suffix only once instead of repeating it for manner.

    Uşaq ağla qaçdı.
    Uşaq ağlaya-ağlaya qaçdı.

    To express manner or simultaneity, the verb must be reduplicated. A single '-a' is grammatically incomplete in this context, unless using specific fixed forms like 'deyə'.

  • Adding tense or person endings to the converb.

    Mən gülə-gülərəm danışdım.
    Mən gülə-gülə danışdım.

    Converbs are non-finite; they never take personal endings like -am/-əm or tense markers. Only the main verb at the end of the sentence is conjugated.

How It Connects

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

-a-a/-ə-əLevel 3Repeated Manner Converb

Learn This First

To understand the -a/-ə reduplicated converb, learners must be familiar with two-way vowel harmony and the phonological rules for attaching the -a/-ə suffix (including buffer consonants). Since this pattern describes the manner in which an action is performed, familiarity with manner-related questions is also helpful.