kim
Who Question Word
Kim is the Azerbaijani word for 'who'. It is used exclusively for humans and functions like a noun, meaning it can take case endings and personal suffixes.
How It Works
The word kim is a foundational interrogative pronoun in Azerbaijani. Here are its key characteristics:
- Human-Only: You must only use kim when referring to people. For a dog, cat, or object, use nə.
- Focus Position: In Azerbaijani, question words like kim usually sit in the focus position, which is immediately before the verb (e.g., Bunu kim dedi? - Who said this?).
- Predicative Use: When kim is used to mean "Who is...?", it requires a predicative suffix like -dir (e.g., Bu kimdir? - Who is this?).
- Case Inflection: Kim changes its form based on its role in the sentence. Common forms include:
- Kimin: Whose (Genitive)
- Kimə: To whom (Dative)
- Kimi: Whom (Accusative)
- Kimdə: At/with whom (Locative)
- Kimdən: From whom (Ablative) - Indefinite Pronouns: Kim serves as the root for words like kimsə (someone) and heç kim (nobody).
- Plurality: While kim is usually singular, you can use kimlər (plural) if you expect the answer to be a list of multiple people.
- No Question Particle: If a sentence contains a question word like kim, you do not add the -mı/-mi question particle.
Examples (5)
- Bu kimdir?
Who is this?
Word by Word: This who-is?
Uses the third-person assertive suffix -dir to ask for identity.
- Kim gəlir?
Who is coming?
Word by Word: Who coming-is?
A simple subject question using the present tense.
- Bu kitab kimindir?
Whose is this book?
Word by Word: This book who-of-is?
Combines the genitive case (kimin) with the copula (dir) to show possession.
- Sən kiminlə danışırsan?
Who are you talking to?
Word by Word: You who-with talking-are?
Uses the comitative suffix -lə (with) to ask about the person involved in the action.
- Otaqda kimlər var?
Who (all) is in the room?
Word by Word: Room-in who-plural exist?
The plural form 'kimlər' suggests the speaker expects more than one person to be there.
Common Mistakes
Using 'kim' to ask about an animal, such as a cat you point at.
Different MeaningO kimdir?O nədir?'O kimdir?' is a correct question, but it asks 'Who is that?', which is for a person. When you point at a cat or another animal, the usual question is 'O nədir?' (What is that?). Speakers sometimes say 'kim' for a much-loved pet, but 'nə' is the default.
Adding the question particle -mi to a sentence with 'kim'.
Kim gəlir mi?Kim gəlir?Question words like 'kim' already make the sentence a question; adding -mi is redundant and incorrect.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The question word 'kim' is a foundational element of Azerbaijani grammar. To use it effectively in basic sentences, learners should be familiar with the third-person nominal suffix for identification and the basic vowel distinctions in the Azerbaijani alphabet.
- -dır/-dir/-dur/-dür (ismi xəbər)Assertive Third Person Nominal Ending
The third person nominal ending is frequently used with 'kim' to form questions like 'O kimdir?' (Who is he/she?).
Level 1 - i / ıDotted and Dotless I Distinction
Understanding the distinction between dotted and dotless 'i' is essential for the correct spelling and pronunciation of the word 'kim'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- nə (sual əvəzliyi)What Question Word
The counterpart to 'kim', used for objects and animals instead of people.
Level 2 - hansıWhich Question Word
Used to ask 'which' person from a specific group, whereas 'kim' asks for general identity.
Level 1 - -(n)ın/-(n)in/-(n)un/-(n)ün (yiyəlik hal)Genitive Case
Used with 'kim' to create 'kimin' (whose).
Level 2 - kimiSimilarity with Kimi
Learners often confuse the accusative form 'kimi' (whom) with this postposition meaning 'like/as'.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice kim in Bubblegum
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