-mekle
By Doing
The -mekle pattern combines the infinitive with the instrumental suffix. It identifies the specific action used as a tool or method to achieve a result.
How It Works
The -mekle (or -makla) suffix is a versatile tool in Turkish for connecting actions through cause, means, or concession. It is generally more formal or deliberate than the common -erek/-arak suffix, emphasizing the action itself as a specific instrument.
1. Means and Instrument ('By doing'):
It shows that one action is the method for another. For example, Çalışmakla kazanılır (It is earned by working).
2. Limitation with 'Sadece':
When used with sadece / yalnızca, it often implies that an action is insufficient on its own. Sadece istemekle olmaz (It doesn't happen just by wanting).
3. Common Idiomatic Phrases:
- -mekle kalmamak: Means 'not only... (but also)'. Seni sevmekle kalmıyorum (I don't just love you).
- -mekle yetinmek: Means 'to be content/satisfied with doing'. Bakmakla yetindi (He was content with just looking).
4. Concession and Addition:
In formal Turkish, -mekle beraber or -mekle birlikte often means 'although' (concession). However, -mekle birlikte can also indicate simultaneous actions or addition, meaning 'along with' or 'in addition to'. For example, Okula gitmekle birlikte çalışıyor (He works along with going to school).
5. Morphology and Stress:
- Follows two-way vowel harmony (-mekle / -makla).
- The stress falls on the -mek/-mak syllable.
- Unlike the standalone word ile / -(y)le, no buffer -y- is needed because the infinitive ends in -k.
Examples (6)
- Sadece konuşmakla bu sorun çözülmez.
This problem cannot be solved just by talking.
Word by Word: Only to-talk-with this problem is-not-solved.
Here, 'talking' is presented as the (insufficient) means of solving the problem.
- Çok çalışmakla her şeyi başarabilirsin.
You can achieve everything by working hard.
Word by Word: Much to-work-with every thing-acc you-can-succeed.
The act of working is the instrument used to reach success.
- Hava soğuk olmakla beraber dışarı çıktık.
Although the weather was cold, we went out.
Word by Word: Weather cold to-be-with together outside we-went.
Using '-mekle beraber' creates a concessive 'although' relationship between the cold weather and going out.
- O, sadece gelmekle kalmadı, bize hediye de getirdi.
He didn't just come; he also brought us a gift.
Word by Word: He, only to-come-with did-not-stay, to-us gift also he-brought.
The phrase '-mekle kalmamak' is a common idiom meaning 'not only... but also'.
- Sadece izlemekle yetindi.
He was content with just watching.
Word by Word: Only to-watch-with he-was-content.
The verb 'yetinmek' (to be content with) is used here with the infinitive to show the action he limited himself to.
- Hata yapmakla ders almış olduk.
By making a mistake, we have learned a lesson.
Word by Word: Mistake to-make-with lesson having-taken we-became.
The mistake is the cause or means of the resulting lesson.
Common Mistakes
Using -mekle for simple manner instead of -(y)erek.
Gülmekle yanıma geldi.Gülerek yanıma geldi.If you want to say someone came to you 'laughing' (manner), use -(y)erek. Use -mekle only if the laughing is the 'tool' or 'means' used to achieve the coming.
Misplacing the word stress.
OkumakLA (stress on LA)OkuMAKla (stress on MAK)The instrumental suffix -le/-la is enclitic, meaning it does not take the stress. The stress stays on the infinitive suffix -mek/-mak.
Using -mekle alone to mean 'although'.
Yorgun olmak, işe gittim.Yorgun olmakla beraber işe gittim.To express 'although' using this pattern, you must include the words 'beraber' or 'birlikte' after -mekle.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The '-mekle' pattern is a combination of the infinitive suffix (-mek/-mak) and the instrumental case marker (-le/-la). To understand this pattern, you need to know how to form verbal nouns using the infinitive and how to attach the instrumental suffix to words to express means or instrument ('by doing').
- -mek (ad-fiil)Turning a Verb into a Noun with -mek
The pattern '-mekle' is formed by adding the instrumental suffix to the infinitive (verbal noun) form ending in '-mek'.
Level 5 - ile / -(y)leWith (Instrumental)
The suffix '-le' in this pattern is the instrumental case marker, which provides the meaning of 'by' or 'with'.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- -erek/-arakBy Doing or While Doing
Both can mean 'by doing', but -erek is more common for the manner of an action, while -mekle focuses on the action as a tool.
Level 3 - -mek/-makThe Infinitive
This is the base infinitive form to which the instrumental suffix is attached.
Level 1 - -e rağmenDespite
A more common way to express 'despite' or 'although', similar to the '-mekle beraber' construction.
Level 4 - sadece / yalnızcaOnly
Frequently used with -mekle to emphasize that an action alone is not enough to produce a result.
Level 3 - Vowel Harmony: Front and Back
Determines whether to use -mekle or -makla based on the verb stem's vowels.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -mekle in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Turkish lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
