-sal/-sel

Adjectives with -sal

Level 5

The suffix -sal/-sel transforms a noun into a relational adjective, meaning 'related to' or 'pertaining to' the base noun. It is the modern standard for technical, scientific, and formal terminology.

How It Works

The -sal/-sel suffix is a product of the Turkish Language Reform, designed to replace older Arabic and Persian relational suffixes. It is now the dominant way to form academic and professional adjectives.

1. Vowel Harmony:
It follows the rules of two-way vowel harmony:

  • -sal follows back vowels (a, ı, o, u). Example: yapı (structure) → yapısal (structural).
  • -sel follows front vowels (e, i, ö, ü). Example: bölge (region) → bölgesel (regional).

2. Phonological Rules:
As with all suffixes starting with a consonant, -sal/-sel does not trigger consonant softening. The final consonant of the root remains hard. For example, gök (sky) becomes göksel (celestial/sky-related), not göğsel.

3. Usage Nuance:
This suffix is primarily used for 'relational' adjectives. While you can say 'a very beautiful house,' you generally don't say 'a very scientific experiment' in a comparative sense, as the adjective serves to classify the noun rather than describe a degree of quality.

4. The -el/-al Variant:
In some specific words, especially those influenced by French or ending in certain sounds, the 's' is dropped. Examples include kültürel (cultural), ulusal (national), and genel (general).

Examples (5)

  1. Bu makale toplumsal değişimleri inceliyor.

    This article examines social changes.

    Word by Word: This article society-related changes examines.

    'Toplumsal' is derived from 'toplum' (society) and describes the type of changes being discussed.

  2. Deney sonuçları bilimsel açıdan çok önemlidir.

    The experiment results are very important from a scientific perspective.

    Word by Word: Experiment results science-related perspective-from very important-is.

    'Bilimsel' comes from 'bilim' (science) and categorizes the 'perspective' (açı).

  3. Şirket, yapısal bir krize girdi.

    The company entered a structural crisis.

    Word by Word: Company, structure-related a crisis-into entered.

    'Yapısal' is formed from 'yapı' (structure) to describe the nature of the crisis.

  4. Göksel olayları gözlemlemek çok heyecan verici.

    Observing celestial events is very exciting.

    Word by Word: Sky-related events to-observe very exciting giving-is.

    Note that 'gök' (sky) does not undergo consonant softening before '-sel' because the suffix starts with a consonant.

  5. Bu, evrensel bir sorundur.

    This is a universal problem.

    Word by Word: This, universe-related a problem-is.

    In 'evrensel' (from 'evren' - universe), the suffix appears as '-sel' following front vowel harmony.

Common Mistakes

  • Attaching -sal/-sel to verbs.

    gitsel
    gidişle ilgili

    -sal/-sel is a nominal suffix; it can only be attached to nouns to form adjectives. It cannot be used with verb stems.

  • Applying consonant softening to the root.

    göğsel
    göksel

    Because the suffix starts with a consonant (s), it follows the standard rule that it does not trigger consonant softening on the base noun.

  • Confusing -sal with -li.

    tarihsel bir mektup
    tarihli bir mektup

    Use -li for 'having/with' (tarihli = dated) and '-sal' for 'related to' (tarihsel = historical/pertaining to history).

How It Connects

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

-sal/-selLevel 5Adjectives with -sal

Learn This First

The -sal/-sel suffix is a derivational ending used to turn nouns into adjectives (e.g., 'bilim' to 'bilimsel'). To use it correctly, you must understand two-way vowel harmony to choose between -sal and -sel, and you should be familiar with basic adjective placement in Turkish sentences.

Words in This Pattern

-sal-sel