-mek için

In Order to

Level 4

The pattern -mek için is the standard way to say 'in order to' in Turkish. It connects a goal (the purpose) with an action.

How It Works

The -mek için construction creates a purpose clause. It explains why you are doing something by looking forward to a future goal.

1. Formation:
The suffix follows two-way vowel harmony:

  • -mak için: After back vowels (a, ı, o, u). Example: almak için (in order to buy).
  • -mek için: After front vowels (e, i, ö, ü). Example: gitmek için (in order to go).

2. Negative Form:
To say 'in order not to', add the negative suffix -me/-ma before the infinitive ending, resulting in -memek için or -mamak için. Example: unutmamak için (in order not to forget).

3. Phonology Note:
Unlike many other suffixes, the final -k in -mek does not soften to a ğ. This is because için is a separate word (a postposition), not a suffix.

4. The Same-Subject Rule:
This pattern is only used when the person performing the purpose and the person performing the main action are the same. If you want to say 'I did it so that you would go,' you must use a different structure like diye.

5. Register:
This is a neutral and very common expression. In very formal contexts, you might see -mek üzere or the phrase -mek amacıyla (with the aim of) used similarly.

Examples (5)

  1. Kilo vermek için her sabah spor yapıyorum.

    I exercise every morning in order to lose weight.

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

    Here, 'kilo vermek' (to lose weight) is the purpose of the action 'spor yapmak' (to exercise).

  2. Seni daha iyi duyabilmek için televizyonun sesini kıstım.

    I turned down the TV so that I could hear you better.

    Word by Word: You more good to-be-able-to-hear for TV's voice-its I-lowered.

    This shows the pattern used with the ability suffix (-ebilmek) to express 'in order to be able to'.

  3. Geç kalmamak için evden erken çıktım.

    I left home early in order not to be late.

    Word by Word: Late to-not-stay for from-home early I-left.

    This demonstrates the negative form -memek için (in order not to). The negative suffix -ma is added before the infinitive ending.

  4. Bilet almak için iki saat sırada bekledik.

    We waited in line for two hours to buy tickets.

    Word by Word: Ticket to-buy for two hour in-line we-waited.

    The purpose of waiting in line was the act of buying a ticket.

  5. Türkçe öğrenmek için Türkiye'ye taşındı.

    He moved to Turkey to learn Turkish.

    Word by Word: Turkish to-learn for to-Turkey he-moved.

    The goal is learning Turkish, which motivated the move.

Common Mistakes

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

    Sen gitmek için kapıyı açtım.
    Gitmen için kapıyı açtım.

    If the subjects are different (I opened the door, but YOU go), you cannot use -mek için. You must use the possessive infinitive (-me + possessive).

  • Confusing purpose (-mek için) with reason (-diği için).

    Zayıflamak için mutluyum.
    Zayıfladığım için mutluyum.

    -mek için looks forward (purpose). If you are happy BECAUSE you already lost weight, you must use -diği için.

How It Connects

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

-mek içinLevel 4In Order to

Learn This First

To understand '-mek için', you first need to know how to form the infinitive of a verb using '-mek/-mak'. You also need to be familiar with the postposition 'için', which means 'for', as this pattern literally translates to 'for doing [something]'. Finally, a grasp of basic Turkish word order helps in placing the purpose clause correctly before the main verb.

Words in This Pattern

-mek