Fractions and Percentages

Level 3

Fractions: [Denominator] + -de/-da + [Numerator]
Percentages: Yüzde + [Number]

How It Works

To express fractions and percentages in Turkish, you must follow specific word order and case rules:

1. Fractions (Kesirler)
The denominator (the bottom number) comes first and takes the locative case suffix (-da/-de/-ta/-te). The numerator (the top number) follows as a plain number.

  • Üçte bir (1/3) — Literally: 'In three, one'
  • Beşte iki (2/5) — Literally: 'In five, two'

In formal or mathematical contexts, you can also use the word bölü (divided by): bir bölü üç (1/3).

2. Percentages (Yüzdeler)
Percentages are treated as fractions with a denominator of 100. The word yüzde (in a hundred) is placed before the number. In writing, the symbol % also precedes the number.

  • Yüzde on (%10) — 10 percent
  • Yüzde elli (%50) — 50 percent

3. Decimals and Thousands
Turkish reverses the English usage of punctuation in numbers. A comma is used as the decimal separator, and a period is used to separate thousands.

  • %10,5 (Yüzde on virgül beş) — 10.5%
  • 1.000 — One thousand

4. Special Terms for 'Half' and 'Quarter'

  • Yarım: Used for 'half' as an adjective (e.g., yarım elma - half an apple).
  • Buçuk: Used for 'and a half' with whole numbers (e.g., iki buçuk - two and a half).
  • Çeyrek: Used for 'a quarter' (1/4), common in measurements and telling time.

5. Possessive Construction
When a fraction refers to a specific object, the object takes the genitive case and the numerator takes a possessive suffix. If the numerator ends in a vowel, use the buffer -s-.

  • Pastanın dörtte biri — One-fourth of the cake.
  • Elmanın beşte ikisi — Two-fifths of the apple.
  • Ekmeğin yarısı — Half of the bread (Note: yarısı is always used for 'half of something').

Examples (5)

  1. Sınıfın dörtte üçü sınavı geçti.

    Three-quarters of the class passed the exam.

    Word by Word: Of the class, in four, three passed the exam.

    Here, 'dörtte üç' (3/4) uses the locative suffix '-te' on the denominator 'dört'.

  2. Bu ceket yüzde elli indirimde.

    This jacket is at a fifty percent discount.

    Word by Word: This jacket in-hundred fifty discount-at.

    'Yüzde elli' is the standard way to say 50%.

  3. İki buçuk kilo elma aldım.

    I bought two and a half kilos of apples.

    Word by Word: Two half kilo apple I-bought.

    'Buçuk' is used because it follows the whole number 'iki'.

  4. Ekmeğin yarısını bana ver.

    Give me half of the bread.

    Word by Word: Of the bread its-half to-me give.

    'Yarısı' is the noun form of 'half' used with a possessive suffix.

  5. Çeyrek altın almak istiyorum.

    I want to buy a quarter gold (coin).

    Word by Word: Quarter gold to-buy I-want.

    'Çeyrek' is used for 1/4.

Common Mistakes

  • Using English word order for fractions.

    bir üçte
    üçte bir

    In Turkish, the denominator (the whole) must come first with the locative suffix, followed by the numerator (the part).

  • Placing the percent sign (%) after the number.

    10%
    %10

    In Turkish orthography, the percent symbol is written before the number, reflecting the spoken order 'yüzde on'.

  • Using 'buçuk' without a whole number.

    Buçuk kilo elma.
    Yarım kilo elma.

    'Buçuk' can only be used after a whole number (like 'bir buçuk'). For exactly 0.5 of a unit, use 'yarım'.

How It Connects

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

Fractions and PercentagesLevel 3

Learn This First

To express fractions and percentages in Turkish, you must first be comfortable with cardinal numbers. The construction relies heavily on the locative case suffix (-de/-da) to indicate the 'whole' part of the fraction (e.g., 'yüzde' meaning 'in a hundred'). Additionally, knowing that Turkish uses singular nouns after numerical expressions is necessary for forming complete phrases.

Words in This Pattern

yüzdeyarımyarımçeyrek-de-da-te-ta