var mı? / yok mu?

Asking Whether Something Exists

Level 1

Turkish uses the existential words var (exists) and yok (does not exist) combined with the question word to ask about presence or possession.

How It Works

In Turkish, existence and possession are expressed through existential predicates rather than verbs.

1. Formation:
The question particle is written as a separate word and follows four-way vowel harmony based on the last vowel of the word:

  • The last vowel of var is 'a' → var mı?
  • The last vowel of yok is 'o' → yok mu?

2. Specifying Location:
To ask if something exists in a specific place, the location takes the locative suffix (e.g., Masada su var mı? - Is there water on the table?).

3. Indefinite vs. Definite:
Var mı? is used for indefinite existence (e.g., Kitap var mı? - Is there a book?). If you are asking about a specific, known item, you do not use var; instead, you attach the question particle directly to the location: Kitap masada mı? (Is the book on the table?).

4. Meaning:

  • Var mı?: 'Is there...?', 'Are there...?', or 'Do you have...?' (e.g., Sıcak su var mı? - Is there hot water?)
  • Yok mu?: 'Isn't there...?', 'Aren't there...?', or 'Don't you have...?' (e.g., Ekmek yok mu? - Isn't there any bread?). This form is often used when you expected something to be there but don't see it.

5. Possession:
To ask 'Do you have a car?', Turkish literally asks 'Does your car exist?'. You use a possessive suffix on the noun followed by var mı? (e.g., Araban var mı?). For emphasis, you can explicitly state the owner using a possessive pronoun (e.g., Senin araban var mı?).

6. Answering:
Turkish speakers answer by repeating the predicate: Var (There is) or Yok (There isn't). While you can use evet or hayır, they are often followed by the predicate (e.g., Evet, var or Hayır, yok). A short Evet. or Hayır. on its own is also fine.

Examples (5)

  1. Çay var mı?

    Is there any tea?

    Word by Word: Tea exists [question]?

    A simple, neutral way to ask if tea is available.

  2. Hiç paran yok mu?

    Don't you have any money?

    Word by Word: At all your-money non-existent [question]?

    Using 'yok mu' suggests the speaker is surprised that the person has no money.

  3. Sizin evde kedi var mı?

    Is there a cat in your house? / Do you have a cat?

    Word by Word: Your house-at cat exists [question]?

    This uses the locative case (-de) to ask about existence in a specific place.

  4. Boş oda var mı?

    Is there a vacant room?

    Word by Word: Empty room exists [question]?

    A common phrase used when checking into a hotel.

  5. Kalemin yok mu?

    Don't you have a pen?

    Word by Word: Your-pen non-existent [question]?

    The possessive suffix -in (your) is attached to 'kalem' to ask about possession.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing the question particle attached to the word.

    Varmı? / Yokmu?
    Var mı? / Yok mu?

    In Turkish, the question particle 'mı/mi/mu/mü' must always be written as a separate word.

  • Using 'değil' to ask about existence.

    Ekmek değil mi?
    Ekmek yok mu?

    'Değil' negates identity (It is not bread), while 'yok' negates existence (There is no bread). To ask 'Isn't there bread?', use 'yok mu?'.

  • Ignoring vowel harmony for the question particle.

    Var mi? / Yok mı?
    Var mı? / Yok mu?

    The particle must follow four-way vowel harmony. 'Var' (a) takes 'mı', and 'yok' (o) takes 'mu'.

How It Connects

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var mı? / yok mu?Level 1Asking Whether Something Exists

Learn This First

To form questions about existence, you need to be familiar with the base words 'var' and 'yok' and understand how Four-Way Vowel Harmony dictates the form of the question particle.

Words in This Pattern