-n-

Buffer Consonant -n-

Level 1

The -n- buffer (pronominal n) is a bridge used when adding most case endings to words that already have a 3rd-person possessive suffix (his/her/its) or to demonstrative pronouns (this/that).

How It Works

In Turkish, while -y- is the most common buffer, the -n- buffer (often called the pronominal n) is used in these specific scenarios:

  • After 3rd-Person Possessives: When a noun has the 3rd-person singular suffix -(s)ı/i/u/ü or the 3rd-person plural suffix -ları/leri, you use -n- before most case suffixes. This includes compound nouns because they end in a possessive suffix.
    Example: araba-sı-n-da (in his car), Türk kahve-si-n-i (the Turkish coffee [acc])
    Note: The instrumental case (-la/-le) is an exception and uses -y- (e.g., arabasıyla).
  • After Demonstrative Pronouns: The singular pronouns bu, şu, and o always take an -n- before case suffixes when they stand alone as nouns. Note: Plural demonstratives do not need a buffer because they already end in a consonant.
    Example: bu-n-u (this [object]), o-n-a (to that)
  • After 'kendi' and '-ki': The word kendi (self) and the suffix -ki require an -n- before case endings when they function as a 3rd-person reference.
    Example: kendi-si-n-e (to himself), oda-da-ki-n-i (the one in the room [acc])
  • In the Genitive Case: When the genitive suffix is added to a word ending in a vowel, -n- is used.
    Exception: The words su (water) and ne (what) use -y- instead (suyun, neyin).

Examples (6)

  1. Onun arabasında oturuyoruz.

    We are sitting in his car.

    Word by Word: His car-his-n-in we-are-sitting.

    The -n- buffer is used between the 3rd-person possessive (-sı) and the locative case (-da).

  2. Bunu bana neden söylemedin?

    Why didn't you tell this to me?

    Word by Word: This-n-acc to-me why you-did-not-say?

    Demonstrative pronouns like 'bu' require the -n- buffer before the accusative case suffix.

  3. Masadakini bana verir misin?

    Can you give me the one on the table?

    Word by Word: Table-on-the-one-n-acc to-me give-aorist you-question?

    The -n- buffer is used after the relative suffix -ki before adding the accusative case.

  4. Kendi evinde kalıyor.

    He is staying in his own house.

    Word by Word: Self house-his-n-at he-is-staying.

    The -n- buffer is used after the 3rd-person possessive suffix in 'evinde' (in his house).

  5. Kapının önünde bekliyorum.

    I am waiting in front of the door.

    Word by Word: Door-n-gen front-its-n-at I-am-waiting.

    Two -n- buffers are used here: one for the genitive (kapının) and one after the 3rd-person possessive (önünde).

  6. Onun evinden geliyorum.

    I am coming from his house.

    Word by Word: His house-his-n-from I-am-coming.

    The -n- buffer connects the 3rd-person possessive suffix (-i) to the ablative case (-den).

Common Mistakes

  • Using the -y- buffer instead of -n- after a 3rd-person possessive.

    Onun kedisiyi seviyorum.
    Onun kedisini seviyorum.

    After the 3rd-person possessive suffix -(s)i, you must use -n-, not -y-, to attach the accusative case.

  • Forgetting the buffer before a consonant-initial case suffix.

    Odasıda uyuyor.
    Odasında uyuyor.

    Unlike other buffers, -n- is required even before consonants (like -da/-de) when following a 3rd-person possessive.

How It Connects

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-n-Level 1Buffer Consonant -n-

Learn This First

To understand the buffer consonant -n-, you must first be familiar with Turkish vowel harmony (both two-way and four-way) as it determines the form of the suffixes that follow the buffer. Additionally, understanding the general concept of buffer consonants (like -y-) provides the necessary context for why these letters are inserted between vowels and suffixes.

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