-cesine/-casına
As if (Adverb)
The suffix -cesine / -casına creates vivid adverbs that describe an action being done 'as if' a certain state were true. It is the formal, more intense counterpart to -miş gibi.
How It Works
The -cesine / -casına suffix is a hallmark of high-level, literary Turkish. While it functions similarly to 'like' or 'as if,' it carries a nuance of hyperbole—suggesting that an action is performed to an extreme degree. It acts as an adverbial suffix (manner converb) that modifies the main verb.
1. Usage with Verbs:
It attaches to specific participle stems to create nuanced 'as if' meanings:
- Aorist Participle: Anlarcasına (As if understanding). Suggests a general or ongoing manner. Uses the Aorist stem.
- Evidential Past Participle: Görmüşçesine (As if having seen). Suggests a completed state or a state based on appearance. Uses the Evidential Past stem.
- Future Participle: Ölecekçesine (As if about to die). Suggests an extreme degree of intensity regarding a potential or future state. Uses the Future Tense stem.
2. Usage with Nouns/Adjectives:
When attached to nouns or adjectives, it functions as an intensified adverbial suffix, magnifying the quality.
- Delicesine (Madly / As if crazy)
- Çocukçasına (Childishly / As if a child)
3. Phonology and Stress:
This is a pre-stressing suffix. The word stress falls on the syllable immediately before the suffix (e.g., ko-ŞAR-casına). Note that the initial 'c' changes to 'ç' if the preceding sound is a voiceless consonant, which is mandatory after the -miş and -ecek participles due to Consonant Assimilation.
Examples (6)
- Beni yıllardır tanırmışçasına gülümsedi.
He smiled at me as if he had known me for years.
Word by Word: Me for-years as-if-having-known he-smiled.
Here, the suffix is attached to the Evidential Past participle stem to show a manner of smiling based on a perceived state.
- Yeni bir dünya keşfetmişçesine etrafına bakıyordu.
He was looking around as if he had discovered a new world.
Word by Word: New a world as-if-having-discovered to-his-surroundings he-was-looking.
The suffix attaches to the -miş stem, and 'c' becomes 'ç' due to Consonant Assimilation after the 'ş' in 'keşfetmiş'.
- Seni delicesine seviyorum.
I love you madly.
Word by Word: You madly I-am-loving.
'Delicesine' is a very common idiomatic use of this adverbial suffix with an adjective to show extreme intensity.
- Sanki bir sırrı paylaşırcasına fısıldadı.
She whispered as if sharing a secret.
Word by Word: As-if a secret as-if-sharing she-whispered.
Even though 'sanki' already means 'as if,' it is often used together with this suffix for extra emphasis in literature.
- Ölecekçesine bir aşkla ona bağlandı.
He became attached to her with a love as if he were going to die.
Word by Word: As-if-going-to-die a with-love to-her he-became-attached.
This demonstrates the use of the suffix with the Future participle (-ecek), creating a sense of extreme, impending intensity.
- Hiçbir şey olmamışçasına yoluna devam etti.
He continued on his way as if nothing had happened.
Word by Word: Nothing thing as-if-not-having-happened to-his-way continue he-did.
This shows the negative form using the Evidential Past participle.
Common Mistakes
Attaching the suffix directly to the verb root.
Beni anlacasına baktı.Beni anlarcasına baktı.The suffix cannot attach to a bare verb root; it must follow a tense marker, usually the Aorist (-r/-ar/-er).
Forgetting consonant assimilation after the -miş suffix.
Bitmişcesine...Bitmişçesine...Because 'miş' ends in a voiceless 'ş', the 'c' in the suffix must change to 'ç'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the adverbial suffix -cesine/-casına, you need to be familiar with two-way vowel harmony and consonant assimilation (as the 'c' can become 'ç'). It is also helpful to understand the basic suffix -ce/-ca, which denotes manner, and the postposition 'gibi', which provides the conceptual foundation for comparisons.
- -ce/-caLanguages and Manner (-ce)
This pattern is an extension of the -ce/-ca suffix, which indicates manner or language, and shares the same consonant assimilation rules.
Level 3 - gibiLike
Understanding the basic concept of 'like' or 'as' with 'gibi' is essential before learning the more advanced adverbial 'as if' construction.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- -miş gibiAs if
The standard, everyday way to say 'as if.' While -cesine is literary, -miş gibi is conversational.
Level 5 - Consonant Assimilation
The rule governing why the suffix changes from -cesine to -çesine after voiceless consonants.
Level 1 - Word Stress
Important because -cesine is a pre-stressing suffix, changing the natural rhythm of the word.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice -cesine/-casına in Bubblegum
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