-e dair / -e ilişkin / -e yönelik

Concerning (Formal)

Level 6

These three postpositions are formal alternatives to hakkında (about). They are used in academic, legal, and official contexts and always follow a noun or pronoun in the dative case.

How It Works

These postpositions are hallmarks of Resmi dil (Official language). Unlike the common word hakkında, which takes the absolute case for nouns, these require the dative case suffix (-e / -a).

1. -e dair (Concerning / About):
Used when discussing the nature or evidence of a subject. It is very common in legal titles and academic inquiries.
Example: Suça dair kanıtlar (Evidence concerning the crime).

2. -e ilişkin (Related to / Regarding):
Used to link two concepts or to show that a statement applies to a specific context. It is ubiquitous in news reports and official documents.
Example: Sınava ilişkin düzenlemeler (Regulations regarding the exam).

3. -e yönelik (Towards / Aimed at):
This implies intentionality or direction. It is used for measures, projects, or attacks 'pointed' at a specific group or goal. Do not confuse this with -e doğru, which is for physical direction.
Example: Gençlere yönelik proje (A project aimed at youth).

Pronoun Usage:
Unlike hakkında, which uses the genitive case with pronouns (e.g., benim hakkımda), these postpositions always use the dative: bana dair, ona ilişkin, size yönelik.

Examples (5)

  1. Hükümetin ekonomi politikalarına dair yeni bir rapor yayımlandı.

    A new report concerning the government's economic policies was published.

    Word by Word: Government's economy policies-to concerning new a report was-published.

    Here, '-e dair' is used to indicate the specific content of the report.

  2. İki ülke arasındaki ilişkiye ilişkin görüşmeler devam ediyor.

    Negotiations regarding the relationship between the two countries are continuing.

    Word by Word: Two country between-its relationship-to regarding negotiations continue doing.

    '-e ilişkin' highlights the connection/relationship between the negotiations and the international ties.

  3. Enflasyonu düşürmeye yönelik sert tedbirler alınması bekleniyor.

    Strict measures aimed at lowering inflation are expected to be taken.

    Word by Word: Inflation-acc lowering-to aimed-at hard measures taking-its is-expected.

    '-e yönelik' is used because the measures have a specific goal or target (lowering inflation).

  4. Bu iddialara dair elimizde hiçbir kanıt bulunmamaktadır.

    We have no evidence concerning these allegations.

    Word by Word: These allegations-to concerning hand-our-in no evidence is-not-found.

    Note the use of the formal progressive suffix -maktadır alongside '-e dair'.

  5. Şirketin yeni stratejisi, verimliliği artırmaya yöneliktir.

    The company's new strategy is aimed at increasing productivity.

    Word by Word: Company's new strategy, productivity-acc increasing-to aimed-at-is.

    The strategy is 'pointed' toward a specific outcome, making '-e yönelik' the correct choice.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the absolute case instead of the dative case.

    Konu dair konuştuk.
    Konuya dair konuştuk.

    These postpositions are 'dative-governing,' meaning the noun must have the -e/-a suffix (and a buffer -y- if it ends in a vowel).

  • Using -e yönelik for simple 'aboutness' without a target or goal.

    Hava durumuna yönelik konuştuk.
    Hava durumu hakkında konuştuk.

    '-e yönelik' implies a target or purpose. Since you aren't 'aiming' at the weather, 'hakkında' or '-e ilişkin' is more appropriate.

  • Using the genitive case with pronouns (like 'hakkında').

    Benim dair bir kitap yazdı.
    Bana dair bir kitap yazdı.

    While we say 'benim hakkımda', we must say 'bana dair' because these postpositions always require the dative case.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-e dair / -e ilişkin / -e yönelikLevel 6Concerning (Formal)

Learn This First

To use these formal postpositions, you must first learn the dative case (-(y)e/-(y)a), as they all govern this specific noun ending. Understanding vowel harmony and buffer consonants is also essential for correctly attaching the dative suffix to various noun stems.

Words in This Pattern

dairilişkinyönelik