Forming the Passive
Turkish passive suffixes follow strict phonological rules: -n after vowels, -in after 'L', and -il after other consonants.
How It Works
To form the passive in Turkish, you must identify the final sound of the verb stem:
- Stems ending in a Vowel: Add -n.
Example: oku- (to read) → oku-n-mak (to be read). - Stems ending in the consonant 'L': Add -in / -ın / -un / -ün (following four-way vowel harmony (I-type)). This prevents the awkward 'l-il' sound.
Example: bil- (to know) → bil-in-mek (to be known). - Stems ending in any other Consonant: Add -il / -ıl / -ul / -ül.
Example: yaz- (to write) → yaz-ıl-mak (to be written).
Important Exceptions: The verbs demek (to say) and yemek (to eat) often take a double passive suffix to become de-n-il-mek and ye-n-il-mek, though denmek and yenmek are also used.
Note on Reflexive Overlap: Be aware that the -n suffix is also used for reflexive verbs (actions one does to oneself). Context usually clarifies if a verb like yıkanmak means 'to be washed' or 'to wash oneself (bathe)'.
Impersonal Passives: Even intransitive verbs can take these suffixes to create a general 'one does' meaning, known as the impersonal passive.
Examples (5)
- Bu kitap çok okunuyor.
This book is being read a lot.
Word by Word: This book much is-being-read.
The stem 'oku-' ends in a vowel, so we add '-n' to make it passive.
- Gerçek sonunda bilindi.
The truth was finally known.
Word by Word: Truth finally was-known.
The stem 'bil-' ends in 'L', so we use the '-in' variant to avoid 'bililmek'.
- Kapı saat sekizde açıldı.
The door was opened at eight o'clock.
Word by Word: Door hour at-eight was-opened.
The stem 'aç-' ends in a consonant (not L), so we add '-ıl' following vowel harmony.
- Bu sokakta hızlı yürünmez.
One does not walk fast on this street.
Word by Word: This street-in fast it-is-not-walked.
An impersonal passive: 'yürü-' (vowel ending) + '-n' + negative aorist.
- Bütün ödevler yapıldı mı?
Were all the homeworks done?
Word by Word: All homeworks were-done [question]?
The stem 'yap-' ends in 'p', so we use '-ıl'.
Common Mistakes
Using -il after a stem ending in 'L'.
Bu konu herkes tarafından bilildi.Bu konu herkes tarafından bilindi.If a verb stem ends in 'L', you must use -in instead of -il to avoid the double 'L' sound.
Using 'olmak' as a passive auxiliary like in English.
Mektup yazıldı oldu.Mektup yazıldı.Turkish does not use 'to be' (olmak) to form the passive; the suffix -il/-in itself carries that meaning.
Ignoring four-way vowel harmony when choosing the suffix.
Cevap bulıldı.Cevap bulundu.The passive suffix must follow four-way vowel harmony. Since 'bul-' has a back-rounded vowel 'u', the suffix must also use 'u' (-ul/-un).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form the passive in Turkish, you must understand how to identify a verb stem and apply four-way vowel harmony to the specific suffixes (-il, -in, or -n) based on whether the stem ends in a vowel, the letter 'l', or another consonant.
Related Patterns
- Vowel Harmony: Rounded and Unrounded
The four-way vowel harmony rules used to determine the specific vowel in -il or -in.
Level 1 - Impersonal Passive
The impersonal passive construction which uses these same suffix selection rules for intransitive verbs.
Level 4 - -in (dönüşlü)Reflexive Verbs
The reflexive suffix, which often looks identical to the passive suffix used after 'L' or vowels.
Level 5 - The Order of Voice Suffixes
Explains where the passive suffix sits in relation to other suffixes like the causative.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Forming the Passive in Bubblegum
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