-e -e

Doing Something Over and Over

Level 4

The -e -e pattern (reduplicated converb) describes how a main action is done by repeating a subordinate verb. It emphasizes that the action was done over and over, with effort, or continuously.

How It Works

The -e -e construction is a vivid way to express manner in Turkish. While the standard -erek/-arak suffix neutrally states 'by doing,' the reduplicated -e -e adds emotional weight, narrative flair, or a sense of persistence.

1. Formation:

  • Verb Stem + -a ... Verb Stem + -a (for back vowels: a, ı, o, u)
  • Verb Stem + -e ... Verb Stem + -e (for front vowels: e, i, ö, ü)
  • Use -y- if the stem ends in a vowel (e.g., ağlaya ağlaya).

2. Usage Nuances:

  • Intensity: Koşa koşa geldi doesn't just mean 'he came by running,' but 'he came running fast/excitedly.'
  • Persistence: It often implies a result was achieved through long effort, as seen in the proverb Damlaya damlaya göl olur (Drop by drop, it becomes a lake).
  • Negative Stems: Unlike many other suffixes, this can be used with negative stems (-maya -maya / -meye -meye) to show a result caused by a long-term lack of action (e.g., Görüşmeye görüşmeye yabancı olduk - We became strangers by not seeing each other for so long).

3. Pronunciation and Stress:
To sound natural, place the primary word stress on the first syllable of the first word in the pair (e.g., KOşa koşa).

4. Fixed Idioms:

  • Bile bile: Knowingly or on purpose.
  • Seve seve: Gladly / With pleasure.
  • Güle güle: Said by the person staying to the person leaving (literally 'go laughingly').

Examples (6)

  1. Ağlaya ağlaya derdini anlattı.

    She explained her trouble while crying and crying.

    Word by Word: Crying crying her-trouble she-explained.

    The repetition of 'ağlamak' (to cry) shows that the crying was continuous and intense throughout the explanation.

  2. Spor yapmaya yapmaya kilo aldım.

    I gained weight because I haven't exercised for a long time.

    Word by Word: Exercise not-doing not-doing weight I-took.

    Using the negative stem (-mA-) with this pattern indicates a result that occurred due to a prolonged period of not doing an action.

  3. Damlaya damlaya göl olur.

    Drop by drop, it becomes a lake.

    Word by Word: By-dropping by-dropping lake it-becomes.

    This famous proverb illustrates how small, persistent actions lead to a big result over time.

  4. Bunu seve seve yaparım.

    I would do this gladly (with pleasure).

    Word by Word: This loving loving I-do.

    'Seve seve' is a common idiom meaning 'gladly' or 'with pleasure'.

  5. Bunu bile bile yaptın.

    You did this knowingly (on purpose).

    Word by Word: This knowing knowing you-did.

    'Bile bile' is a very common idiomatic use of this pattern meaning 'intentionally'.

  6. Çocuk koşa koşa yanımıza geldi.

    The child came to us running (in a great hurry).

    Word by Word: Child running running to-our-side came.

    Using 'koşa koşa' instead of koşarak emphasizes the speed and excitement of the child.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'güle güle' when you are the one leaving.

    Güle güle, ben gidiyorum!
    Hoşça kal, ben gidiyorum!

    The idiom 'güle güle' (literally 'laughingly') is only said by the person staying to the person leaving. If you are the one leaving, you should say hoşça kal.

  • Using a hyphen between the two words.

    koşa-koşa
    koşa koşa

    In modern Turkish orthography, reduplicated adverbs like this are written as two separate words without a hyphen.

  • Using it for simple sequences of events.

    Eve gele gele yemek yedi.
    Eve gelince yemek yedi.

    The -e -e pattern is for simultaneous manner or repeated action, not for 'after doing X.' Use -ince or -ip for sequences.

How It Connects

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

-e -eLevel 4Doing Something Over and Over

Learn This First

To understand the '-e -e' pattern, you need to know how to apply two-way vowel harmony to verb stems and how to use the buffer consonant -y- for stems ending in vowels. Familiarity with the general concept of Turkish reduplication (ikileme) is also helpful, as this pattern functions as a verbal reduplication to describe how an action is performed.

Words in This Pattern

-a