ne kadar ... o kadar

The More ... the More

Level 4

Use ne kadar ... o kadar to show that the degree of one action directly determines the degree of another. It translates to 'the [comparative]... the [comparative]...' in English.

How It Works

The ne kadar ... o kadar pattern functions as a mathematical or logical proportion. Unlike the suffix -dikçe, which often implies a gradual change over time, this pattern focuses on the specific ratio between two things.

1. Verbal Structure:
When using verbs, the first verb typically takes the aorist followed by the conditional -se/-sa. While the aorist is used for general truths, other tenses like the simple past can be used for specific past events (e.g., ne kadar yediyse - however much he ate).
Structure: Ne kadar + [Verb]-Ar-sA, o kadar + [Result].

2. Adjectival Structure:
If the condition is a state or quality, the conditional suffix -se/-sa is attached to the adjective.
Structure: Ne kadar + [Adjective]-(y)sA, o kadar + [Result].

3. Emphasis with 'çok':
Learners will often see the word çok added to the first clause (Ne kadar çok...) to emphasize 'the more'.

4. The Result Clause:
The second clause starts with o kadar. It is very common and grammatically correct to add daha (more) here to reinforce the comparison (e.g., o kadar daha iyi - that much better).

5. Direction of Proportion:
By default, it implies 'the more'. To express 'the less', you must explicitly add the word az (little/less) to the first clause.

Examples (5)

  1. Ne kadar çok çalışırsan o kadar başarılı olursun.

    The harder you work, the more successful you become.

    Word by Word: How much much you-work-if, that much successful you-become.

    Here, the verb 'çalışmak' takes the aorist (-ır) and the conditional (-san) to set the proportion.

  2. Hava ne kadar sıcaksa o kadar çok su içmelisin.

    The hotter the weather is, the more water you should drink.

    Word by Word: Weather how much hot-if, that much much water you-must-drink.

    The conditional -(y)sa is attached to the adjective 'sıcak' to show the state-based proportion.

  3. Ne kadar az uyursan o kadar yorgun hissedersin.

    The less you sleep, the more tired you feel.

    Word by Word: How much little you-sleep-if, that much tired you-feel.

    By adding 'az' (little), we create an inverse proportion (the less... the more...).

  4. Ne kadar ekmek, o kadar köfte.

    You get what you pay for. (Literally: As much bread, that much meatball.)

    Word by Word: How much bread, that much meatball.

    A famous proverb using the nominal structure without verbs to show that effort equals reward.

  5. Kitap ne kadar ilginç olursa o kadar çabuk biter.

    The more interesting the book is, the faster it finishes.

    Word by Word: Book how much interesting if-it-becomes, that much quickly it-finishes.

    Using 'olursa' (if it becomes/is) is a common way to link an adjective to this pattern.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the conditional suffix -se/-sa in the first clause.

    Ne kadar çok çalışıyorsun o kadar öğrenirsin.
    Ne kadar çok çalışırsan o kadar öğrenirsin.

    The first part of this correlative pair almost always requires the conditional mood to establish the 'if/whenever' relationship.

  • Writing 'o kadar' as a single word.

    Ne kadar erken gelirsen okadar iyi olur.
    Ne kadar erken gelirsen o kadar iyi olur.

    'O kadar' consists of the demonstrative 'o' and the noun 'kadar'. They must always be written as two separate words.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ne kadar ... o kadarLevel 4The More ... the More

Learn This First

To understand 'ne kadar ... o kadar', you need to be familiar with the comparative word 'kadar'. Additionally, because this pattern often links two clauses where the first clause uses a conditional form (e.g., 'ne kadar çalışırsan...') or a proportional adverbial, knowledge of the conditional suffix (-se/-sa) and similar structures like -dikçe is essential for constructing natural sentences.

Words in This Pattern

kadarne kadar