-se/-sa (şart)
The Conditional -se
The -se/-sa suffix attaches directly to a verb stem to create a conditional mood. It is used for hypothetical 'if' scenarios or to express a desire ('I wish').
How It Works
The -se/-sa suffix (Şart Kipi) is a versatile tool in Turkish. At this level, it is important to distinguish its two main roles:
1. The Conditional (Subordinate Clause)
When used in a dependent clause, it sets a condition. While it translates to 'if', it often implies a hypothetical or less certain situation than the factual aorist conditional.
Example: Vaktim olsa gelirim. (If I had time [hypothetically], I would come).
2. The Desiderative (Main Clause)
When it is the main verb of the sentence, it expresses a wish. This is often paired with the word keşke (I wish).
Example: Keşke burada olsan. (I wish you were here).
Morphology and Negation:
The suffix attaches directly to the verb stem. To form the negative ('if not' or 'I wish... not'), place the negative suffix immediately after the verb stem:
- Positive: Stem + -se/-sa + Person
- Negative: Stem + -me/-ma + -se/-sa + Person
Examples: Git-me-se-m (If I didn't go), Bak-ma-sa-n (If you didn't look).
Person Endings:
It uses Type II personal endings (the same ones used in the simple past):
- Ben gel-se-m (If I came / I wish I came)
- Sen gel-se-n (If you came)
- O gel-se (If he/she/it came)
- Biz gel-se-k (If we came)
- Siz gel-se-niz (If you all came)
- Onlar gel-se-ler (If they came)
Note: Unlike the conditional copula -(y)se, this mood suffix never uses a buffer 'y' because it only attaches to verb stems.
Examples (4)
- Piyangoyu kazansam yeni bir araba alırım.
If I were to win the lottery, I would buy a new car.
Word by Word: Lottery-acc if-I-win new one car I-buy.
This shows a hypothetical condition. The speaker isn't sure they will win, but they are imagining the scenario.
- Keşke bugün kar yağsa.
I wish it would snow today.
Word by Word: I wish today snow if-it-snows.
Here, the suffix is used in the main clause to express a wish, emphasized by 'keşke'.
- Oraya gitsek mi?
What if we went there? / Shall we go there?
Word by Word: There if-we-go [question]?
In casual speech, using the conditional with the question particle creates a soft suggestion.
- Param olsa sana yardım ederdim.
If I had money, I would help you.
Word by Word: Money-my if-there-is to-you help I-would-do.
This uses the conditional form of 'olmak' (to be/to become) to set a hypothetical premise.
Common Mistakes
Thinking 'eğer' is required for 'if'.
Eğer gelsen çok mutlu olurum.Gelsen çok mutlu olurum.'Eğer' is not wrong, but it is often optional. The suffix -se/-sa already carries the meaning of 'if'. Native speakers often leave out 'eğer' unless they want extra emphasis. Both sentences are correct.
Forgetting the buffer -y- when the conditional copula follows a vowel.
Hastasan dinlen.Hastaysan dinlen.After a word that ends in a vowel, the copula -(y)se needs the buffer y: hasta + -ysa + -n = hastaysan. 'Hasta olsan dinlen' is also correct; the copula form usually sounds like a real condition based on a fact or state (like being sick).
Using the wrong personal endings.
Gelsinlerse...Gelseler...Learners sometimes try to attach conditional endings to already conjugated verbs. The mood suffix must attach directly to the stem, followed by the conditional personal endings (-m, -n, -k, etc.).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn the conditional mood (-se/-sa), you need to understand two-way vowel harmony for suffix attachment and be familiar with the Type II personal endings (the same ones used in the simple past). Additionally, understanding the aorist tense is helpful as it often forms the second half of conditional sentences.
- -di (kişi ekleri)Simple Past Person Endings
The conditional mood uses the same set of personal endings as the simple past tense (Type II endings).
Level 2 - -ir/-er/-r (geniş zaman)The Aorist Tense
The conditional is frequently used in the 'if' clause of sentences where the main clause uses the aorist (geniş zaman) to express hypothetical or habitual results.
Level 3
Related Patterns
- keşkeI Wish (Keşke)
Keşke is the particle most commonly used with the -se mood to express 'I wish'.
Level 4 - eğerIf (Eğer)
Eğer is the optional conjunction used to introduce conditional clauses for emphasis.
Level 4 - -(y)se (ad cümlesi şartı)Conditional of Nominal Sentences
This is the conditional copula used for real conditions (e.g., 'if it is...'), which is often confused with the hypothetical -se mood.
Level 4 - -irseReal Conditions with -irse
The aorist conditional is used for likely or factual conditions, whereas -se is more hypothetical.
Level 4 - -seydiIf Only It Had Been
This is the past version of the conditional, used for counterfactual 'if only' statements about the past.
Level 5 - -se bile / -se deEven if
These patterns use the conditional suffix to express 'even if'.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -se/-sa (şart) in Bubblegum
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