bu + Noun
Demonstrative Before a Noun
Turkish uses three demonstratives: bu (this), şu (that - pointing), and o (that - far/known). When used before a noun, they never change their form.
How It Works
In Turkish, demonstratives function as determiners when placed directly before a noun.
1. The Three-Way System:
- Bu: Used for things within the speaker's reach or immediate vicinity. Equivalent to 'this'.
- Şu: Used for things the speaker is pointing at or wants to draw the listener's attention to. It is often used for something the listener hasn't noticed yet.
- O: Used for things far from both people, or for things already mentioned and understood in the conversation.
2. Grammatical Rules:
- Invariability: When used before a noun, these words never take suffixes. They do not change for plural or case.
- Word Order: The demonstrative always comes first, even before other adjectives. For example: bu büyük ev (this big house).
- Plural Nouns: Even if the noun is plural, the demonstrative stays singular. You say bu kitaplar (these books), never *bunlar kitaplar.
Examples (5)
- Bu çay çok sıcak.
This tea is very hot.
Word by Word: This tea very hot.
'Bu' is used here because the tea is likely right in front of the speaker.
- Şu kalemi bana verir misin?
Can you give me that pen (the one I'm pointing at)?
Word by Word: That pen to-me give [question]?
'Şu' is used to direct the listener's attention to a specific pen.
- O araba benim değil.
That car is not mine.
Word by Word: That car mine not.
'O' refers to a car that is further away or one previously mentioned.
- Bu elmalar çok lezzetli.
These apples are very delicious.
Word by Word: This apples very delicious.
Notice that 'bu' remains singular even though 'elmalar' is plural.
- Şu binayı görüyor musun?
Do you see that building (over there)?
Word by Word: That building see [question]?
'Şu' is used here because the speaker is pointing out a building to the listener.
Common Mistakes
Pluralizing the demonstrative before a noun.
Bunlar kitaplar çok ağır.Bu kitaplar çok ağır.In English, we say 'these books', but in Turkish, the demonstrative adjective must remain singular ('bu') when followed by a plural noun.
Adding case suffixes to the demonstrative when a noun follows.
Bunu kitabı okudum.Bu kitabı okudum.Case suffixes like the accusative attach to the noun, not the demonstrative adjective.
Using 'o' when 'şu' sounds more natural.
O adam kim? (while pointing at someone new)Şu adam kim?'O adam kim?' is correct. But if you are pointing someone out for the first time to get the listener to look, 'şu' is more natural than 'o'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
This pattern is a simple application of demonstrative pronouns. The only prerequisite is understanding the basic demonstratives (bu, şu, o) and how they function as pointers.
Related Patterns
- bunlar / şunlar / onlarPlural Demonstratives
These are the plural pronoun forms used when the noun is omitted.
Level 1 - Adjectives Come First
Demonstratives follow the same word order as other adjectives, appearing before the noun.
Level 1 - -n-Buffer Consonant -n-
The buffer -n- is used when these demonstratives function as pronouns and take suffixes, but it is not used in the 'bu + isim' pattern.
Level 1 - ben / sen / oPersonal Pronouns (Singular)
The word 'o' is shared between the demonstrative 'that' and the personal pronoun 'he/she/it'.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice bu + Noun in Bubblegum
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