için

For and in Order to

Level 2

için is a versatile word that follows a noun or verb to show why something is happening or who it is for. It never changes its spelling.

How It Works

1. Usage with Nouns and Pronouns (Benefactive)
When used with a noun, it means 'for' or 'for the sake of.'

  • Nouns and Plural Demonstratives: Use the plain form (e.g., çocuklar için, bunlar için).
  • Personal and Singular Demonstrative Pronouns: Singular pronouns (ben, sen, o), 1st/2nd person plural pronouns (biz, siz), and singular demonstratives (bu, şu) must be in the genitive case (e.g., benim için, bunun için).

2. Usage with Verbs (Purpose)
To say 'in order to,' the construction depends on the subject:

  • Same Subject: Use the infinitive form + için. (e.g., Ekmek almak için markete gittim - I went to the market [in order] to buy bread).
  • Different Subjects: Use the -me/-ma verbal noun with a possessive ending + için. (e.g., Senin anlaman için anlatıyorum - I am explaining so that you understand).

3. Usage with Verbs (Reason)
To express 'because' or 'since,' it is used with the -dik participle.

  • Example: Geç kaldığın için özür dilerim (I apologize because you are late / for your being late).

Important Note: için is an invariant word and does not follow vowel harmony.

Examples (5)

  1. Bu çiçekler annem için.

    These flowers are for my mother.

    Word by Word: This flowers mother-my for.

    Here, 'için' follows a noun in the plain form to show the recipient/beneficiary.

  2. Senin için her şeyi yaparım.

    I would do anything for you.

    Word by Word: Your for every thing-acc I-do.

    Notice that the pronoun 'sen' becomes 'senin' (genitive) before 'için'.

  3. Kilo vermek için spor yapıyorum.

    I am exercising in order to lose weight.

    Word by Word: Weight to-give for sport I-am-doing.

    The infinitive 'vermek' + 'için' expresses the goal or purpose of the action.

  4. Geç kaldığım için özür dilerim.

    I apologize because I was late.

    Word by Word: Late my-having-stayed for excuse I-wish.

    When paired with the -dik participle, 'için' explains the reason for the apology.

  5. Bizim için bir masa var mı?

    Is there a table for us?

    Word by Word: Our for a table exist question?

    The plural pronoun 'biz' also takes the genitive 'bizim' before 'için'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the nominative case for personal and singular demonstrative pronouns.

    Sen için hediye aldım.
    Senin için hediye aldım.

    Personal pronouns (except 'onlar') and singular demonstrative pronouns (bu, şu, o) must be in the genitive case before 'için'. For example, use 'bunun için' instead of 'bu için'.

  • Using -mek için when the subjects of the two clauses are different.

    Senin gelmek için bekliyorum.
    Senin gelmen için bekliyorum.

    The '-mek için' pattern is only for when the subject remains the same. If you want someone else to do something, you must use the possessive form of the verbal noun (-mesi/-ması için).

  • Applying vowel harmony to 'için'.

    Okul uçun.
    Okul için.

    'İçin' is an invariant postposition; it never changes its vowels regardless of the preceding word's harmony.

How It Connects

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

içinLevel 2For and in Order to

Learn This First

To use 'için' correctly, you need to understand how it interacts with different parts of speech: it follows the plain form of nouns, the genitive form of singular personal pronouns, and the infinitive form of verbs to express purpose.

Words in This Pattern