-inti/-ıntı

Nouns from Verbs (-inti)

Level 5

The -inti / -ıntı / -untu / -üntü suffix turns verb stems into nouns. It typically describes the physical or abstract result of an action, often with a nuance of 'leftovers' or 'residue'.

How It Works

The -inti suffix (and its variants) is a deverbal noun suffix. While it is not fully productive in modern Turkish (meaning you cannot freely attach it to every verb), it exists in many essential vocabulary items.

1. Meaning and Nuance:
The primary function is to denote the result or remnant of an action. In many cases, this carries a slightly negative or messy connotation, such as waste, fragments, or involuntary states:

  • kır- (to break) → kırıntı (crumb/fragment)
  • dök- (to spill/pour) → döküntü (rubbish/rash)
  • ak- (to flow) → akıntı (current/discharge)

However, it can also be neutral or abstract:

  • gör- (to see) → görüntü (image/view)
  • es- (to blow) → esinti (breeze)
  • üz- (to sadden) → üzüntü (sorrow)

2. Morphological Rules:
The suffix changes based on the last vowel of the verb stem:

  • -ıntı: After a, ı (e.g., sarsıntı - tremor)
  • -inti: After e, i (e.g., kesinti - interruption)
  • -untu: After o, u (e.g., kuruntu - delusion)
  • -üntü: After ö, ü (e.g., süzüntü - residue)

Special Case: If the verb stem already ends in the letter -n (often seen in reflexive or passive stems), the initial vowel of the suffix is dropped, leaving only -tı/-ti/-tu/-tü:

  • bağlan- (to be tied/connected) → bağlantı (connection)
  • bulan- (to become nauseated/cloudy) → bulantı (nausea)
  • uzan- (to stretch out) → uzantı (extension)

3. Usage Note:
Because this is semi-productive, learners should treat these words as fixed vocabulary rather than trying to invent new ones. It differs from -iş, which focuses on the manner of an action, and -gi, which often denotes a tool or a more general result.

Examples (5)

  1. Fırtınadan sonra bahçede pek çok dal kırıntısı vardı.

    After the storm, there were many branch fragments in the garden.

    Word by Word: Storm-from after garden-in many branch fragment-its there-was.

    'Kırıntı' comes from 'kır-' (to break) and refers to the small pieces left over.

  2. Elektrik kesintisi yüzünden ödevimi bitiremedim.

    I couldn't finish my homework because of the power outage.

    Word by Word: Electricity interruption-its because-of homework-my-acc finish-could-not-I.

    'Kesinti' comes from 'kes-' (to cut) and refers to the result of the flow being cut off.

  3. Bu sabah hafif bir deniz esintisi hissediliyor.

    A light sea breeze is felt this morning.

    Word by Word: This morning light a sea breeze-its feel-passive-present-continuous.

    'Esinti' comes from 'es-' (to blow) and describes the result of the wind blowing.

  4. Televizyondaki görüntü çok net değil.

    The image on the television is not very clear.

    Word by Word: Television-on-the image very clear not.

    'Görüntü' comes from 'gör-' (to see) and refers to the visual result or image.

  5. Gereksiz kuruntularla kendini üzme.

    Don't sadden yourself with unnecessary delusions.

    Word by Word: Unnecessary delusions-with self-your-acc sadden-don't.

    'Kuruntu' comes from 'kur-' (to set/establish/brood) and refers to an abstract mental result (worry/delusion).

Common Mistakes

  • Using the suffix productively to create new, non-existent words.

    Dün akşamki bakıntı çok güzeldi.
    Dün akşamki manzara çok güzeldi.

    Learners often try to add -inti to any verb (like 'bak-' to look). However, this suffix is semi-productive; you must use established words like 'bakış' or 'manzara' instead of inventing 'bakıntı'.

  • Choosing -iş when you mean the current itself.

    Suyun akışı çok hızlı.
    Suyun akıntısı çok güçlü.

    'Suyun akışı' is correct and means how the water flows (manner). 'Suyun akıntısı' means the current itself (the thing). Use -inti when you mean the current as a physical thing.

How It Connects

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

-inti/-ıntıLevel 5Nouns from Verbs (-inti)

Learn This First

To understand the -inti suffix, you need to be comfortable with four-way vowel harmony, as the suffix changes its vowel based on the verb stem. You also need to know how to identify a verb stem by removing the infinitive ending, as this suffix attaches directly to the root to create a noun.