-anda/-əndə (feli bağlama)

When Converb

Level 3

The -anda/-əndə suffix is the standard way to say 'when' in Azerbaijani. It attaches to a verb stem to show that one action happens at the same time as, or immediately before, another.

How It Works

The -anda/-əndə temporal converb is a non-finite verb form that acts as a bridge between two parts of a sentence. It is non-finite, meaning it does not have its own tense; instead, it inherits its time reference (past, present, or future) from the main verb of the sentence.

1. Formation:

  • If the verb stem ends in a consonant: Add -anda (for back vowels: a, ı, o, u) or -əndə (for front vowels: e, ə, i, ö, ü).
  • Stem Voicing: The -t to -d change occurs in polysyllabic verb stems and specific monosyllabic exceptions like get- and et- (e.g., gedəndə, edəndə). However, most monosyllabic stems remain unchanged (e.g., atanda, satanda, yatanda).
  • If the verb stem ends in a vowel: Insert the buffer consonant -y- before the suffix (e.g., oxuyanda).
  • Negative Form: To say 'when not...', use the negative suffix -ma/-mə followed by the buffer -y- and the converb (e.g., gəlməyəndə - when not coming).

2. Usage:
This pattern is universal and used in all registers of speech. It covers both simultaneous actions ('While I was walking...') and sequential actions ('When I arrived...'). While it can mean 'while', the -arkən/-ərkən suffix is more specifically dedicated to simultaneous duration.

3. Subject Marking:
Because the suffix itself doesn't change for person, you must include the subject if it isn't clear from context:

  • Mən gələndə... (When I come...)
  • Sən gələndə... (When you come...)
  • O gələndə... (When he/she comes...)

Examples (4)

  1. Yağış yağanda çətir götür.

    Take an umbrella when it rains.

    Word by Word: Rain when-falling umbrella take.

    Here, 'yağanda' (from yağmaq) sets the condition/time for the main action.

  2. Mən evə çatanda sənə zəng edəcəyəm.

    I will call you when I arrive home.

    Word by Word: I home-to when-arriving you-to call will-do.

    The suffix -anda indicates the moment the arrival happens.

  3. Uşaqlar dərs oxuyanda sakit olun.

    Be quiet when the children are studying.

    Word by Word: Children lesson when-reading quiet be.

    Note the buffer 'y' in 'oxuyanda' because the stem 'oxu-' ends in a vowel.

  4. Sən güləndə çox gözəlsən.

    You are very beautiful when you laugh.

    Word by Word: You when-laughing very beautiful-are.

    This shows simultaneity—the beauty is observed at the same time as the laughing.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding personal endings to the converb.

    Mən gələndəm o getdi.
    Mən gələndə o getdi.

    Converbs are invariable. You should not add suffixes like -am/-əm to -anda. The subject 'Mən' already tells us who is coming.

  • Forgetting the buffer consonant -y-.

    Gözləəndə yoruldum.
    Gözləyəndə yoruldum.

    When a verb stem ends in a vowel (like gözlə-), you must use the buffer -y- before adding -əndə.

  • Applying t → d voicing to all monosyllabic verbs.

    Yadanda mənə zəng et.
    Yatanda mənə zəng et.

    While polysyllabic verbs and specific exceptions like 'get-' and 'et-' change 't' to 'd', most monosyllabic verbs like 'yat-' (to sleep) or 'sat-' (to sell) do not undergo voicing before -anda.

How It Connects

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-anda/-əndə (feli bağlama)Level 3When Converb

Learn This First

To understand the -anda/-əndə temporal converb, learners must first be familiar with vowel harmony to choose the correct suffix variant. They also need to recognize the verb stem (base form) and the locative case marker, as this pattern functions by placing the action within a specific 'locative' time frame.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-əndə