-den daha
Comparing Two Things
Turkish uses the formula: [Standard] + [Ablative Case] + daha + [Adjective/Adverb]. For example, 'Benden daha hızlı' (Faster than me) or 'Benden daha az hızlı' (Less fast than me).
How It Works
To compare two things in Turkish, follow these steps:
1. Identify the Standard: Attach the ablative case suffix to the person or thing you are comparing against. Follow two-way vowel harmony (-den/-dan) and consonant assimilation (-ten/-tan). Important: If the word ends in a 3rd person possessive suffix, you must use the buffer consonant -n- before the case ending (e.g., evinden, arabasından).
2. Add 'daha' or 'daha az': Place daha (more) or daha az (less) immediately before the adjective or adverb. Unlike English, which uses suffixes like '-er', Turkish uses these words for every comparison.
3. The Adjective or Adverb: This pattern works identically for both adjectives (e.g., daha büyük - bigger) and adverbs (e.g., daha hızlı koşmak - to run faster).
Note on Omission: In casual speech, daha is sometimes dropped if the ablative suffix is present (e.g., Ali Mehmet'ten uzun). However, if the standard of comparison is missing, daha is mandatory (e.g., Daha büyük bir ev istiyorum - I want a bigger house).
Examples (5)
- Ali, Mehmet'ten daha uzun.
Ali is taller than Mehmet.
Word by Word: Ali, Mehmet-from more tall.
Here, Mehmet is the standard of comparison, so he receives the suffix -ten.
- Bu araba ötekinden daha pahalı.
This car is more expensive than the other one.
Word by Word: This car other-one-from more expensive.
The word 'öteki' (the other) takes the ablative case to show it is the point of comparison.
- Bugün dünden daha soğuk.
Today is colder than yesterday.
Word by Word: Today yesterday-from more cold.
Time words like 'dün' (yesterday) can also be the standard of comparison.
- Benden daha hızlı koşuyorsun.
You are running faster than me.
Word by Word: Me-from more fast you-are-running.
When comparing with pronouns, the pronoun takes the ablative case (ben -> benden).
- Uçak trenden daha konforlu.
The plane is more comfortable than the train.
Word by Word: Plane train-from more comfortable.
A simple comparison between two nouns using the -den suffix.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting the buffer -n- with 3rd person possessive endings.
Onun arabasıdan daha hızlı.Onun arabasından daha hızlı.When attaching the ablative case to a word ending in a 3rd person possessive suffix, you must use the buffer consonant -n-.
Using the nominative case for pronouns instead of the ablative.
Ben daha hızlı.Benden daha hızlı.In Turkish, you must say 'from me' (benden) to express 'than me'. Using just 'ben' is grammatically incomplete for a comparison.
Placing 'daha' after the adjective or adverb.
Hızlı daha.Daha hızlı.When 'daha' means 'more' in a comparison, it goes before the adjective or adverb it modifies.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form comparisons in Turkish, you need to understand how to apply the ablative case suffix (-den/-dan) to the noun being compared, including its consonant harmony rules, and combine it with the comparative adverb 'daha'.
Related Patterns
- -den/-dan (ayrılma hâli)Ablative Case
This is the case suffix used to mark the object being compared against.
Level 2 - enThe Most (Superlative)
The superlative version ('the most'), used when comparing one thing against a whole group.
Level 2 - kadar (eşitlik)As ... as
Used for comparisons of equality ('as... as') rather than superiority.
Level 2 - Vowel Harmony: Front and Back
Determines whether the ablative suffix will be -den or -dan.
Level 1 - Consonant Assimilation
Determines if the suffix starts with 'd' or 't' based on the preceding consonant.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -den daha in Bubblegum
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