-me/-ma (olumsuz emir)

Negative Commands

Level 1

The negative imperative is formed by adding the negative suffix -me or -ma directly to the verb stem. It is the standard way to say "Don't!" in Turkish.

How It Works

To form a negative command (prohibition) in Turkish, you take the verb stem (the infinitive minus the -mek/-mak ending) and attach the negative suffix.

1. Vowel Harmony:
This pattern follows two-way vowel harmony:

  • Use -me if the last vowel of the stem is a front vowel (e, i, ö, ü). Example: Gel (Come) → Gelme! (Don't come!)
  • Use -ma if the last vowel of the stem is a back vowel (a, ı, o, u). Example: Bak (Look) → Bakma! (Don't look!)

2. Word Stress (Crucial):
In Turkish, stress usually falls on the last syllable. However, the negative suffix is pre-stressing. This means the emphasis falls on the syllable before the -me/-ma. For example, in Okuma! (Don't read!), the stress is on 'ku' (o-KU-ma). This distinguishes it from the verbal noun 'reading' (oku-MA).

3. Politeness and Groups:
To address a group or be more polite, use -(y)in/-(y)iniz after the negative suffix. Because the negative suffix always ends in a vowel, the buffer consonant -y- is always required (e.g., Yapma-y-ın - Don't do it).

4. Third Person Commands:
To say "let him/her not" or "let them not," use the 3rd person command endings after the negative suffix. Example: Oraya gitmesin (Let him not go there) or Geç kalmasınlar (Let them not be late).

5. Emphasis with "Sakın":
The word sakın is often used with negative commands to add emphasis or a warning, similar to "don't you dare" or "by no means." Example: Sakın unutma! (Don't you dare forget!)

6. Idiomatic Use:
The phrase Yapma! is often used as an exclamation meaning "No way!" or "You're kidding!"

Examples (5)

  1. Buraya gelme.

    Don't come here.

    Word by Word: Here come-not.

    The verb 'gelmek' (to come) has a front vowel 'e', so we add '-me'.

  2. Korkma, ben buradayım.

    Don't be afraid, I am here.

    Word by Word: Fear-not, I here-am.

    The verb 'korkmak' (to fear) has a back vowel 'o', so we add '-ma'.

  3. Lütfen kapıyı kapatma.

    Please don't close the door.

    Word by Word: Please door-acc close-not.

    Using 'lütfen' (please) softens the command.

  4. Sakın o düğmeye dokunma!

    Don't you dare touch that button!

    Word by Word: Beware that button-dat touch-not!

    The word 'sakın' is often used with negative commands to add emphasis or warning.

  5. Beni bekleme, geç kalacağım.

    Don't wait for me, I will be late.

    Word by Word: Me wait-not, late I-will-stay.

    A common practical use of the negative command in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'değil' to negate a command.

    Git değil!
    Gitme!

    The word 'değil' is used to negate nouns and adjectives. To negate a verb command, you must use the suffix -me/-ma.

  • Incorrect stress placement.

    BakMA!
    BAKma!

    Learners often stress the negative suffix itself. In Turkish, the stress must fall on the syllable immediately before the -me/-ma suffix.

How It Connects

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-me/-ma (olumsuz emir)Level 1Negative Commands

Learn This First

To form negative commands in Turkish, you need to understand how to identify the verb stem (the imperative form) and apply two-way vowel harmony to choose between the suffixes -me and -ma.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-me