-(y)i (belirtme hâli)

Accusative Case

Level 1

The accusative case suffix -(y)i is used to mark a specific direct object. While Turkish doesn't have a word for 'the', this suffix tells the listener exactly which object you are talking about.

How It Works

The accusative case follows four-way vowel harmony and has four forms: -ı, -i, -u, -ü.

1. Specificity:
Turkish distinguishes between 'I ate an apple' (general) and 'I ate the apple' (specific). Personal pronouns (beni, seni) and demonstratives (bunu, şunu) are always specific and must take this case when they are objects.
• Elma yedim (I ate an apple/apples)
• Elmayı yedim (I ate the apple)

2. Word Order and Definiteness:
In Turkish, an indefinite object (like 'an apple') usually stays immediately before the verb. If you move the object away from the verb, it normally takes the accusative suffix, which makes it specific ('the').
• Elmayı şimdi yedim (I ate the apple just now).

3. Buffer Consonants:
• If a word ends in a vowel, use the buffer -y- (e.g., araba → arabayı).
• If the word has a 3rd person possessive suffix or is a demonstrative pronoun, use the buffer -n- (e.g., kapısı → kapısını; bu → bunu).

4. Consonant Softening:
When adding the suffix to words ending in p, ç, t, or k, these letters usually change to b, c, d, or ğ. This is called consonant softening (e.g., kitap → kitabı).

5. Proper Nouns:
Proper nouns are always considered specific. Use an apostrophe before the suffix (e.g., İstanbul'u seviyorum).

Examples (5)

  1. Anahtarı masada unuttum.

    I forgot the key on the table.

    Word by Word: Key-[acc] table-at I-forgot.

    The suffix '-ı' is added to 'anahtar' because it refers to a specific key.

  2. Dün Ahmet'i yolda gördüm.

    I saw Ahmet on the road yesterday.

    Word by Word: Yesterday Ahmet-[acc] road-on I-saw.

    Proper names always take the accusative suffix when they are the direct object.

  3. Kedimi çok seviyorum.

    I love my cat very much.

    Word by Word: Cat-my-[acc] very I-love.

    Possessed objects (my cat, your house) are specific and require the accusative suffix.

  4. Seni bekliyorum.

    I am waiting for you.

    Word by Word: You-[acc] I-am-waiting.

    Personal pronouns like 'sen' (you) always take the accusative case when they are the object.

  5. Bu kitabı okudun mu?

    Did you read this book?

    Word by Word: This book-[acc] you-read [question]?

    Nouns preceded by demonstratives like 'bu' (this) are specific and need the suffix.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the accusative for generic or indefinite objects.

    Bir elmayı yedim.
    Bir elma yedim.

    'Bir elmayı yedim' is possible, but it points to one particular apple. To say 'I ate an apple' with no particular apple, leave the suffix off.

  • Forgetting the suffix on proper nouns.

    Ali gördüm.
    Ali'yi gördüm.

    Proper nouns are inherently specific. You must always use the accusative suffix when they are the direct object.

  • Using the wrong buffer consonant after possessives.

    Onun arabayı gördüm.
    Onun arabasını gördüm.

    After a 3rd person possessive suffix (-(s)i), you must use the 'n' buffer, not the 'y' buffer.

How It Connects

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

-(y)i (belirtme hâli)Level 1Accusative Case

Learn This First

To learn the accusative case, you need to understand how to choose the correct vowel using four-way vowel harmony, how to handle nouns ending in vowels using the buffer letter -y-, and how to apply consonant softening to the root word.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-i