-ki

The Suffix -ki

Level 3

The suffix -ki attaches to nouns in the locative case, genitive case, or to time words. It identifies a specific object by its location, owner, or time, functioning as either an adjective ('the one in...') or a pronoun ('mine', 'yours').

How It Works

The suffix -ki is a versatile tool to build fluency in describing specific items. It has three primary functions:

1. With Location (Locative + -ki)
When attached to a noun in the -de/-da (bulunma hâli), it creates an adjective or pronoun describing where something is.

  • Bahçe (Garden) + -de (in) + -ki = bahçedeki (the one in the garden).

2. With Possession (Genitive + -ki)
When attached to possessive pronouns or nouns in the -in (ilgi hâli), it creates possessive pronouns like 'mine' or 'Ayşe's'.

  • Benim (My) + -ki = benimki (mine).
  • Ayşe'nin (Ayşe's) + -ki = Ayşe'ninki (Ayşe's one).

3. With Time (Time Word + -ki)
It attaches to time words. If the time word has an adverbial form (like yazın for 'in summer' or sabahleyin), -ki attaches to that form.

  • Yarın (Tomorrow) + -ki = yarınki (tomorrow's).
  • Yazın (In summer) + -ki = yazınki (the one in summer).

The Buffer -n- Rule
When you add further case endings (like the accusative or dative) to a pronoun formed with -ki, you must use the buffer consonant -n-.

  • Seninki (Yours) + -i (Accusative) = seninkini.
  • Masadaki (The one on the table) + -ne (Dative) = masadakine.

Vowel Harmony Exceptions
While -ki is usually invariant, it rounds to -kü after dün (yesterday) or gün (day):

  • Dün + -kü = dünkü (yesterday's).

Examples (6)

  1. Masadaki kitap benim.

    The book on the table is mine.

    Word by Word: Table-on-which-is book mine.

    Here, -ki attaches to the locative 'masada' to specify which book we are talking about.

  2. Dünkü yemek çok lezzetliydi.

    Yesterday's meal was very delicious.

    Word by Word: Yesterday-which-was meal very delicious-was.

    This shows the rounding exception where -ki becomes -kü after the word 'dün'.

  3. Benim kalemim kırıldı, seninkini kullanabilir miyim?

    My pen broke, can I use yours?

    Word by Word: My pen-my broke, your-one-buffer n-acc use-can-I [question]?

    When adding a case ending like the accusative -(y)i to a -ki pronoun, you must use the buffer -n- (senin-ki-n-i).

  4. Yazınki tatil planımız hazır.

    Our holiday plan for the summer is ready.

    Word by Word: Summer-in-which-is holiday plan-our ready.

    With seasons, -ki attaches to the adverbial form (yazın), creating 'yazınki' (the one in summer).

  5. Sınıftaki öğrenciler çok çalışkan.

    The students in the classroom are very hardworking.

    Word by Word: Classroom-in-which-are students very hardworking.

    Note how -ki remains -ki even though 'sınıfta' ends in a back vowel (a), as it is generally invariant.

  6. Bahçedekiler çok gürültü yapıyor.

    The ones in the garden are making a lot of noise.

    Word by Word: Garden-in-which-are-plural very noise doing.

    Here, 'bahçedeki' acts as a pronoun (the ones in the garden) rather than an adjective modifying a noun.

Common Mistakes

  • Applying standard vowel harmony to -ki.

    Arabadakı anahtar nerede?
    Arabadaki anahtar nerede?

    Learners often try to write 'arabadakı' because of the 'a' vowels, but -ki is invariant and does not change to -kı.

  • Forgetting the locative case marker for locations.

    Mutfakki bardak kirli.
    Mutfaktaki bardak kirli.

    When referring to a place, you must include the locative case (-da/-de/-ta/-te) before adding -ki.

  • Writing the suffix -ki as a separate word.

    Evde ki kedi uyuyor.
    Evdeki kedi uyuyor.

    The adjectival suffix -ki must be attached to the word. Only the conjunction 'ki' is written separately.

How It Connects

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

-kiLevel 3The Suffix -ki

Learn This First

To understand the suffix -ki, you first need to know how to indicate location using the locative case (-de/-da), as this is its most frequent base. You should also be familiar with basic time words and the general rule that adjectives in Turkish precede the nouns they modify.

Words in This Pattern

-ki