Unmarked nominative
The nominative case (adlıq hal) is the dictionary form of a noun. It has no suffix (Ø) and is used for the person or thing performing an action, or for objects that are not specific.
How It Works
The nominative case is the most fundamental part of Azerbaijani grammar. Unlike other cases, it does not require any specific ending.
1. The Subject:
The primary use is to mark the subject of the sentence. In the sentence Uşaq oynayır (The child is playing), 'uşaq' is in the nominative case.
2. Indefinite Direct Objects:
While a specific object like 'the book' requires the definite accusative case, an indefinite object like 'a book' stays in the nominative form. Crucially, this only happens when the object is placed immediately before the verb. For example: Mən çay içirəm (I am drinking tea).
3. Vocative (Addressing):
When you call someone by name or title, you use the nominative form. Example: Əli, bura gəl! (Ali, come here!).
4. Nominal Predicates:
When you say 'This is a...', the complement is in the nominative. It is often paired with the assertive suffix. Example: Bu, kitabdır (This is a book).
5. Suffix Order:
The order is always: Stem + Plural + Possessive + Case (Ø). For example: Dostlarım gəldi (My friends came) — 'Dostlarım' is nominative because there is no case suffix after the possessive ending.
Examples (6)
- Mən gəlirəm.
I am coming.
Word by Word: I coming-am.
'Mən' (I) is the subject in the nominative case.
- Kitab masadadır.
The book is on the table.
Word by Word: Book table-on-is.
'Kitab' is the subject. Even though it is 'the' book, subjects always use the nominative form.
- Mən alma yeyirəm.
I am eating an apple.
Word by Word: I apple eating-am.
'Alma' is an indefinite object. It stays in the nominative form because it is placed directly before the verb.
- Əli, bura gəl!
Ali, come here!
Word by Word: Ali, here come!
'Əli' is in the nominative case used as a vocative (addressing someone directly).
- Bu, qızıl medaldır.
This is a gold medal.
Word by Word: This, gold medal-is.
'Qızıl' (gold) is a noun used in the nominative to describe the material of the medal.
- Uşaqlar parkdadır.
The children are in the park.
Word by Word: Child-ren park-in-are.
'Uşaqlar' includes the plural suffix, but the case is still nominative (unmarked).
Common Mistakes
The accusative is fine, but it points to one specific apple.
Different MeaningMən bir almanı yeyirəm.Mən bir alma yeyirəm.'Mən bir almanı yeyirəm' is correct when you mean one particular apple. If you are talking about 'an apple' in general, do not add the -(n)ı suffix. Use the unmarked nominative form instead.
Using the accusative for a general, unspecific object.
Different MeaningÇayı içirəm.Çay içirəm.'Çayı içirəm' is a correct sentence, but it means 'I am drinking the tea', a specific tea already mentioned. For 'I drink tea' in general, the object stays in the nominative: 'Çay içirəm'.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- -(n)ı/-(n)i/-(n)u/-(n)üDefinite Accusative Case
The definite accusative is the counterpart to the nominative when the direct object is specific.
Level 2 - Indefinite direct object
This pattern specifically describes the use of the nominative form as an indefinite object.
Level 2 - -lar/-lərPlural Suffix
Plural suffixes are often attached to nouns in the nominative case.
Level 1 - Basic SOV word order
Understanding word order helps distinguish between a nominative subject and a nominative indefinite object.
Level 1 - -dır/-dir/-dur/-dür (ismi xəbər)Assertive Third Person Nominal Ending
This suffix is frequently attached to nominative nouns to form a sentence (e.g., 'This is a book').
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Unmarked nominative in Bubblegum
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