gitmek / etmek + -iyor
T Becomes D in Gitmek and Etmek
In Turkish, the verbs gitmek (to go) and etmek (to do/make) are special. When you add a suffix that starts with a vowel (like the present continuous '-iyor'), the 't' at the end of the stem changes to a 'd'.
How It Works
Turkish usually protects the 't' in single-syllable verbs (like satmak → satıyor). However, a few very common verbs are exceptions to this rule.
The Rule:
When the verb stems git- or et- meet a suffix starting with a vowel, the 't' becomes 'd'.
- git- + -iyor = gidiyor (He/she is going)
- et- + -iyor = ediyor (He/she is doing)
When does it NOT happen?
If the suffix starts with a consonant, the 't' stays as 't'.
- git- + -di = gitti (He/she went)
- et- + -mek = etmek (To do)
Why is this important?
The verb etmek is used to form hundreds of compound verbs (like yardım etmek - to help). You will see this 't' to 'd' change constantly in daily Turkish.
Examples (5)
- Okula gidiyorum.
I am going to school.
Word by Word: To school I am going.
The stem 'git-' changes to 'gid-' because the suffix '-iyorum' starts with a vowel.
- O, bana yardım ediyor.
He/she is helping me.
Word by Word: He, to me help is doing.
'Yardım etmek' is a compound verb. The 't' in 'et-' becomes 'd' before '-iyor'.
- Müzik dinliyoruz ve dans ediyoruz.
We are listening to music and dancing.
Word by Word: Music we are listening and dance we are doing.
'Dans etmek' follows the same rule: 'et-' becomes 'ed-' before the vowel in '-iyoruz'.
- Eve gidiyor musun?
Are you going home?
Word by Word: To home going are you?
Even in questions, the softening happens because the tense suffix '-iyor' is attached directly to the verb stem.
- Teşekkür ediyorum.
I am thanking (you) / I thank you.
Word by Word: Thank I am doing.
This is a polite way to say thank you; notice the 't' to 'd' change. 'Teşekkür ederim' is even more common.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to soften the 't' before a vowel.
O okula gitiyor.O okula gidiyor.Saying 'gitiyor' sounds unnatural and is grammatically incorrect in Turkish.
Softening the 't' when a consonant follows.
Dün eve gidtim.Dün eve gittim.The 't' only changes to 'd' if the next letter is a vowel. Since '-tim' starts with a consonant, the 't' remains.
Overgeneralizing to other short verbs like 'satmak' (to sell).
Evi sadıyor.Evi satıyor.Most single-syllable verbs like 'sat-' or 'at-' do NOT soften. Only a few exceptions like 'git-' and 'et-' do.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand why 'gitmek' and 'etmek' change their final 't' to 'd', you first need to be familiar with the Present Continuous tense (-iyor) and the general phonetic rule of Consonant Softening (ünsüz yumuşaması) in Turkish.
Related Patterns
- Consonant Softening
This is the general rule for consonant softening that explains why 't' becomes 'd'.
Level 1 - Noun + etmekCompound Verbs with Etmek
Compound verbs using 'etmek' always follow this softening rule when conjugated.
Level 2 - demek / yemekThe Verbs Demek and Yemek
These are other common verbs that undergo stem changes when suffixes are added.
Level 1 - -ti/-tıPast Ending After Voiceless Consonants
The past tense suffix shows what happens when these verbs are followed by a consonant instead of a vowel.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice gitmek / etmek + -iyor in Bubblegum
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