Saying Whose Something Is

Level 2

The Belirtili İsim Tamlaması (Definite Noun Compound) links a specific owner to a specific object, similar to the English 's or of the.

How It Works

This structure is used when both the owner and the object are specific and known. It consists of two parts:

1. The Owner (Tamlayan): Takes the genitive suffix -(n)in. Use the buffer -n- if the word ends in a vowel. This follows four-way vowel harmony (-ın, -in, -un, -ün). If the word has more than one syllable and ends in p, ç, t, or k, it usually undergoes consonant softening (e.g., kitap becomes kitabın). Short words like at and süt usually stay the same (atın, sütün). Proper nouns must be separated from this suffix by an apostrophe (e.g., Ali'nin).
2. The Owned (Tamlanan): Takes a possessive suffix matching the owner. For singular nouns, this is the 3rd person possessive suffix -(s)i (use buffer -s- after vowels). For plural nouns, use -ları/-leri (no buffer needed). If the owned object is a proper noun, it also requires an apostrophe (e.g., Ayşe'nin Ankara'sı).

Key Rules:

  • Consonant Softening: Both nouns in the pair can undergo softening when their respective suffixes are added (e.g., sözlük becomes sözlüğün kapağı).
  • The Pronominal 'n': If you add another case suffix (like the accusative or dative) to the second noun, you must insert a buffer -n- (e.g., evin kapısını or evin kapısına).
  • Pronouns: When the owner is a pronoun, use possessive pronouns and match the ending on the second noun (e.g., benim evim, senin evin).
  • Irregularities: The word su (water) is a unique exception; it is the only noun that uses a -y- buffer for both parts (suyun suyu) instead of the standard -s- buffer for the possessive. The word ne (what) becomes neyin in the genitive. The pronouns ben and biz take -im (benim, bizim).

Examples (5)

  1. Öğrencinin kitabı masanın üzerinde.

    The student's book is on the table.

    Word by Word: Student-of book-his table-of top-its-at.

    Both 'öğrenci' (student) and 'masa' (table) are specific owners here, so they take the genitive suffix.

  2. Evin bahçesi çok büyük.

    The garden of the house is very large.

    Word by Word: House-of garden-its very big.

    This refers to a specific house's garden, not just any house garden.

  3. Türkiye'nin başkenti Ankara'dır.

    The capital of Turkey is Ankara.

    Word by Word: Turkey-of capital-its Ankara-is.

    Proper nouns like 'Türkiye' take an apostrophe before the genitive suffix.

  4. Kedinin gözleri yeşil.

    The cat's eyes are green.

    Word by Word: Cat-of eyes-its green.

    Even when the owned object is plural (gözler), it still takes the possessive suffix (-i).

  5. Arabanın kapısını açtım.

    I opened the door of the car.

    Word by Word: Car-of door-its-(n)-accusative I-opened.

    Note the 'n' buffer between the possessive suffix (-ı) and the accusative case suffix (-ı).

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping one of the two suffixes.

    Ali'nin ev / Ali evi
    Ali'nin evi

    In Turkish, possession is a 'matching pair.' You must mark both the owner and the owned object.

  • Using the wrong buffer consonant.

    Arabayın kapısı
    Arabanın kapısı

    Remember: Use -n- for the owner (tamlayan) and -s- for the owned (tamlanan).

  • Forgetting the pronominal 'n' before case endings.

    Evin bahçesi-i seviyorum.
    Evin bahçesini seviyorum.

    When adding a case suffix to a noun that already has a 3rd person possessive suffix, you must use -n- as a buffer.

How It Connects

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Saying Whose Something IsLevel 2

Learn This First

To form a definite noun compound (belirtili isim tamlaması), you must understand how to apply the genitive case to the owner and the third-person possessive suffix to the object being owned, both of which require a good grasp of four-way vowel harmony.

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Patterns that build on this one.