-ce/-ca
Languages and Manner (-ce)
The suffix -ce/-ca (and its variants -çe/-ça) is a multi-purpose tool in Turkish. It is most famous for creating language names (like Türkçe), but it also turns adjectives into adverbs (sessizce - quietly) and expresses personal viewpoints (bence - in my opinion).
How It Works
The -ce suffix (also appearing as -ca, -çe, -ça), known formally as the Equative Case (Eşitlik Hâli), is a versatile tool used to form adverbs and nouns.
Phonology Note: This suffix follows two-way vowel harmony. It also follows consonant assimilation: if the word ends in a voiceless consonant (f, s, t, k, ç, ş, h, p), the 'c' becomes 'ç' (e.g., Türkçe, yavaşça).
The 'n' Buffer: When attaching this suffix to words ending in a 3rd person possessive suffix (e.g., kendi-si-n-ce) or to demonstrative pronouns (e.g., bu-n-ca, o-n-ca), a buffer letter -n- must be used. This is often referred to as the pronominal n.
1. Language Names
Adding the suffix to an ethnonym creates the name of the language.
- Alman + ca = Almanca (German)
- İngiliz + ce = İngilizce (English)
2. Manner and Adverbs
It transforms adjectives into adverbs, describing how something is done.
- Güzel + ce = Güzelce (Nicely/Properly)
- Sessiz + ce = Sessizce (Quietly)
3. Similarity and Behavior
It can indicate that someone is acting like or in the manner of a specific noun.
- Çocuk + ça = Çocukça (Childishly / Like a child)
- İnsan + ca = İnsanca (Humanely / In a human way)
4. Collective Action
It indicates that an action is performed together as a group.
- Aile + ce = Ailece (As a family)
- Sınıf + ça = Sınıfça (As a class)
5. Opinion and Perspective
When added to personal pronouns or nouns with possessives, it indicates a viewpoint. Note that onca is an intensifier meaning 'so much' and is not used for opinions; for the third person singular, use ona göre instead.
- Bence (In my opinion)
- Sence (In your opinion)
- Bizce (In our opinion)
- Sizce (In your opinion - plural/polite)
- Kendince (In his/her own way)
6. Degree, Quantity, and Intensity
It can soften an adjective ('rather'), emphasize duration ('for days'), or indicate thoroughness and intensity.
- Büyükçe (Rather large)
- Günlerce (For days)
- İyice (Thoroughly/Very well)
- Güzelce (Properly/Thoroughly)
7. Formal Agency
In formal or legal contexts, it can indicate the authority or agent responsible for an action, similar to 'by'.
- Hükümetçe (By the government)
- Belediyece (By the municipality)
Examples (6)
- Bence bu yemek çok lezzetli.
In my opinion, this food is very delicious.
Word by Word: In-my-opinion this food very delicious.
Here, -ce is attached to the pronoun 'ben' to express a personal viewpoint.
- Lütfen sessizce konuşun.
Please speak quietly.
Word by Word: Please quiet-ly speak.
The suffix turns the adjective 'sessiz' (quiet) into the adverb 'sessizce' (quietly).
- Okulda Almanca ve Fransızca öğreniyorum.
I am learning German and French at school.
Word by Word: At-school German and French I-am-learning.
The suffix is used here to derive language names from the roots 'Alman' and 'Fransız'.
- Dün akşam ailece yemeğe gittik.
We went to dinner as a whole family yesterday evening.
Word by Word: Yesterday evening family-ly to-dinner we-went.
The suffix -ce can indicate collective action, meaning 'as a group' or 'together as a...'.
- Kapıyı yavaşça kapattı.
He/she closed the door gently.
Word by Word: Door-acc slowly closed.
Notice how 'yavaş' ends in 'ş', so the suffix hardens to '-ça' due to consonant assimilation.
- Onlarca insan meydanda toplandı.
Dozens of people gathered in the square.
Word by Word: Tens-of people in-square gathered.
When added to numbers like 'on' (ten), it indicates a large, indefinite quantity.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting consonant assimilation after voiceless consonants.
Türkce konuşuyorum.Türkçe konuşuyorum.Because 'Türk' ends in 'k' (a voiceless consonant), the suffix must start with 'ç' instead of 'c'.
Using the wrong pronoun case for opinions.
Benimce bu doğru değil.Bence bu doğru değil.The suffix attaches to the nominative (plain) form of the pronoun (ben, sen), not the possessive (benim) or dative (bana) forms.
Using 'onca' to mean 'in his/her opinion'.
Onca bu film güzel.Ona göre bu film güzel.While 'bence' and 'sence' are common, 'onca' usually means 'so much'. To say 'in his/her opinion', use the phrase 'ona göre'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the -ce/-ca suffix, you need to be familiar with basic Turkish phonology, specifically how vowels harmonize and how consonants assimilate. Additionally, knowing personal pronouns is essential for using the suffix to express personal perspectives.
- Consonant Assimilation
The initial 'c' in the suffix changes to 'ç' (-çe/-ça) when attached to words ending in a voiceless consonant.
Level 1 - ben / sen / oPersonal Pronouns (Singular)
Understanding personal pronouns is necessary to use the pattern in common expressions like 'bence' (in my opinion) or 'sence' (in your opinion).
Level 1
Related Patterns
- Vowel Harmony: Front and Back
Determines whether to use -ce/-çe or -ca/-ça based on the last vowel of the word.
Level 1 - ile / -(y)leWith (Instrumental)
Another way to form adverbs, though -le often describes an emotional state or instrument rather than a quality.
Level 2 - -e göreAccording to
A postposition used to express 'according to', which is the standard way to express the third person's opinion.
Level 3 - gibiLike
Used for physical resemblance ('like'), whereas -ce implies a standard or manner.
Level 2 - -dikçeAs Long as and the More
A temporal suffix that learners often confuse with the simple -ce suffix.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -ce/-ca in Bubblegum
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