-diği (nesne ortacı)
The -dik Participle
Use -dik + possessive suffix to describe a noun based on an action someone else did to it. It translates to 'the [noun] that [someone] [verb]ed'.
How It Works
The -dik participle (often called the non-subject relative participle) is used to embed a sentence inside a noun phrase or to create noun clauses. It typically represents past or present actions; for future contexts, the future participle is used instead.
1. The Non-Subject Rule (Relative Clauses):
When used as an adjective to describe a noun, -dik is used only when the noun being described is not the subject of the sub-clause. It is used when the modified noun is the object, location, or time of the action (e.g., 'the book I read'). If the noun being described is the subject, the -en participle is used.
2. Noun Clauses (Nominalization):
Unlike relative clauses which depend on a 'head noun', noun clauses (acting as the object of a verb) use -dik as a standard nominalizer regardless of the internal subject's role. This is common with verbs like bilmek or söylemek (e.g., Gittiğini biliyorum - I know that he went).
3. Formation and Mandatory Possessives:
The formula is: [Verb Stem] + -dik + [Possessive Suffix]. The possessive suffix is mandatory as it identifies the subject of the action. The entire phrase precedes the noun it modifies.
- The -dik suffix follows four-way vowel harmony.
- The d becomes t after voiceless consonants (see consonant assimilation).
- The final k undergoes consonant softening and changes to ğ when followed by a vowel-starting possessive suffix (e.g., okuduğum).
4. Headless Relative Clauses:
The participle can act as a noun itself if the head noun is dropped (e.g., Söylediğini duydum - I heard what you said). In this case, it can take case markers directly.
5. The Subject and Case Markers:
The subject of the clause usually takes the genitive case. If you add case suffixes to a 3rd person participle, you must use the buffer consonant -n- (e.g., yazdığına).
6. Temporal Subordination:
This participle serves as the base for time-related constructions like -diğinde (when) and -dikten sonra (after).
Examples (5)
- Okuduğum kitap çok sürükleyici.
The book that I am reading (or read) is very gripping.
Word by Word: Read-my book very gripping.
Here, 'kitap' is the object of the reading. The possessive '-um' shows that 'I' am the one reading.
- Dün tanıştığımız kadın bir mimar.
The woman whom we met yesterday is an architect.
Word by Word: Yesterday met-our woman one architect.
The suffix '-imiz' indicates that 'we' met the woman.
- Oturduğunuz ev şehir merkezinde mi?
Is the house where you live in the city center?
Word by Word: Reside-your house city center-in [question]?
This shows the participle modifying a location (the house) rather than a direct object.
- Annemin yaptığı yemekleri çok seviyorum.
I love the food that my mother makes.
Word by Word: My mother's made-her foods very I love.
When the subject is a specific noun (Annem), it takes the genitive case, and the participle takes the 3rd person possessive (-ı).
- Gittiğin yerleri bana anlat.
Tell me about the places you went.
Word by Word: Went-your places to me tell.
Note how the suffix -dik becomes -tik after 'git-', because the stem ends in a voiceless consonant. Before the ending -in, the k softens, so it becomes 'gittiğin'.
Common Mistakes
Omitting the genitive case on a definite subject of the relative clause.
Sen aldığın kitap nerede?Senin aldığın kitap nerede?When the subject of the relative clause is a specific person or pronoun, it must be in the genitive case (e.g., 'senin', 'annemin') to match the possessive suffix on the participle.
Omitting the possessive suffix on the participle.
Yaptık iş çok zor.Yaptığım iş çok zor.You must mark who performed the action using a possessive suffix. 'Yaptık' alone is just a past tense verb, not a participle.
Using -dik for future events.
Yarın yaptığın ödevi getir.Yarın yapacağın ödevi getir.For actions that will happen in the future, the usual choice is the future participle.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the '-dik' participle, you must be comfortable with Turkish possessive endings and the Genitive-Possessive construction, as this pattern functions like a noun phrase. Additionally, you need to know the 'Consonant Softening' rule, as the 'k' in '-dik' almost always changes to 'ğ' when person endings are added.
- Saying Whose Something Is
The object participle construction functions like a possessive relationship where the 'subject' of the participle takes the genitive case and the participle takes a possessive suffix.
Level 2 - benim evimPronoun Plus Possessive Ending
Understanding how possessive endings attach to nouns is essential because the '-dik' participle requires these same endings to indicate the person performing the action.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- -(y)en/-(y)anThe -en Participle
The subject participle counterpart; used when the modified noun is the one performing the action.
Level 4 - -en / -diğiChoosing -en or -diği
A guide on how to choose between these two primary types of relative clauses.
Level 4 - -eceğiThe Future Participle
The future version of the non-subject participle, used for 'the [noun] that [someone] will [verb]'.
Level 4 - -diğini bilmekObject Clauses with -dik
Uses the same morphology to create noun clauses (e.g., 'I know that you went') instead of relative clauses.
Level 5 - Consonant Softening
Explains why the 'k' in -dik changes to 'ğ' when possessive suffixes are added.
Level 1 - benim / senin / onunPossessive Pronouns
These genitive pronouns are used as the subject of the relative clause to agree with the participle's possessive ending.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
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Practice -diği (nesne ortacı) in Bubblegum
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