-meye başlamak
Start Doing Something
The pattern -meye başlamak is the standard way to say 'to start doing' something in Turkish. It combines a verb stem with a nominalizing suffix and the dative case.
How It Works
To form this construction, follow these steps:
1. Take the verb stem (e.g., oku-).
2. Add the verbal noun suffix -ma/-me based on two-way vowel harmony.
3. Add the buffer consonant -y- because the next suffix also starts with a vowel.
4. Add the dative case suffix -a/-e.
5. Conjugate the verb başlamak in the desired tense.
Formula: [Stem] + -mA + -yA + başlamak
Unlike English, which can use a gerund ('starting raining') or an infinitive ('start to rain'), Turkish is very strict: you must use the dative form. While older or very formal texts might use the form -mağa başlamak, the -maya/meye version is the standard for modern speech and writing.
Examples (5)
- Yağmur yağmaya başladı.
It started to rain.
Word by Word: Rain to-raining started.
Here, 'yağma' is the act of raining, and the dative '-ya' connects it to the verb 'başladı'.
- Yeni bir dil öğrenmeye başladım.
I started learning a new language.
Word by Word: New a language to-learning I-started.
The verb 'öğrenmek' (to learn) becomes 'öğrenmeye' to function as the object of 'başladım'.
- Bebek yürümeye başladı.
The baby started walking.
Word by Word: Baby to-walking started.
This indicates the beginning of a new developmental stage or a specific instance of walking.
- Ders biter bitmez herkes konuşmaya başladı.
As soon as the lesson ended, everyone started talking.
Word by Word: Lesson as-soon-as-ends everyone to-talking started.
This uses the -ir -mez pattern to show an immediate start of an action.
- Seni anlamaya başlıyorum.
I am starting to understand you.
Word by Word: You to-understanding I-am-starting.
This pattern works for mental processes like 'understanding' just as well as physical actions.
Common Mistakes
Using the accusative case instead of the dative case.
Kitap okumayı başladım.Kitap okumaya başladım.Learners often use the accusative case because 'start' feels like it should take a direct object, but 'başlamak' always requires the dative.
Forgetting the buffer consonant -y- between vowels.
Yürümee başladı.Yürümeye başladı.In Turkish, two vowels cannot sit next to each other in a suffix chain. You must use the buffer -y-.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand '-meye başlamak', you need to know how to form the infinitive of a verb and how to apply the dative case suffix. The pattern literally translates to 'starting to [action]', where the action is treated as a noun in the dative case.
- -mek/-makThe Infinitive
The pattern '-meye başlamak' uses the short infinitive form (-me/-ma), which is derived from the full infinitive (-mek/-mak).
Level 1 - -(y)e (yönelme hâli)Dative Case
The verb 'başlamak' (to start) requires the dative case suffix -(y)e on the preceding action to indicate what is being started.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- -me (ad-fiil)Turning a Verb into a Noun with -me
This is the verbal noun suffix used to turn the action into a noun before adding the case ending.
Level 5 - -meye çalışmak / devam etmekTry to and Carry on
Similar constructions used to express 'trying to' or 'continuing to' do an action.
Level 4 - -y-Buffer Consonant -y-
The buffer letter necessary to separate the verbal noun '-ma/-me' from the dative '-a/-e'.
Level 1 - -mek istemekWanting to Do Something
Another common verb-verb construction, though it uses the full infinitive instead of the dative verbal noun.
Level 1 - -mek üzereAbout to and in Order to
Used to say someone is 'about to' start, rather than having already started.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice -meye başlamak in Bubblegum
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