-meyi
Verbs That Take -meyi
Verb Stem + -ma/-me + -y- + -ı/-i
How It Works
The -meyi pattern (and its variant -mayı) is essential for connecting two verbs when the verb carrying the suffix functions as the direct object. Note that because the short infinitive only uses -ma or -me, the following accusative suffix can only be -ı or -i.
It consists of three parts:
1. The short infinitive suffix -ma or -me, which follows two-way vowel harmony.
2. The buffer consonant -y-, which is required for the basic form.
3. The accusative case marker, which follows four-way vowel harmony.
Case Governance:
The choice of this suffix is strictly dictated by the main verb's 'case requirement.' You use -meyi because the main verb (like sevmek) requires a direct object in the accusative case. This contrasts with verbs that require the dative case (e.g., -meye başlamak) or the ablative case (e.g., -mekten korkmak).
Same-Subject vs. Different-Subject:
The basic -meyi form is used when the subject of both verbs is the same (e.g., Yüzmeyi seviyorum - 'I love to swim'). Note that istemek is an exception and usually takes the full infinitive for same-subject actions. If the subjects are different (e.g., 'I want you to go'), you must add a possessive suffix to the infinitive. This is covered in wanting someone else to do something. When the 3rd person possessive is used, the buffer consonant -n- appears (e.g., gelmesini), whereas 1st and 2nd person forms (e.g., gelmemi, gelmeni) do not require a buffer before the accusative case.
When to use it:
Common verbs that trigger this include sevmek (to love/like), özlemek (to miss), planlamak (to plan), öğrenmek (to learn), and bırakmak (to quit/leave). To form the negative (e.g., 'deciding not to go'), simply double the suffix: gitmemeyi.
Nuance:
While the full infinitive -mek represents an action in a general sense, adding the accusative case makes the action a specific 'thing' that is being acted upon. For example, while Yüzmek güzeldir (Swimming is nice) uses the general form, Yüzmeyi seviyorum (I love swimming) uses the accusative because 'swimming' is the specific object of your love.
Examples (4)
- Kitap okumayı çok seviyorum.
I love reading books very much.
Word by Word: Book reading [acc] very I-love.
Here, 'reading' (okuma) is the specific object of the verb 'to love' (sevmek), so it takes the accusative suffix -yı.
- Sigarayı bırakmayı denedim.
I tried to quit smoking.
Word by Word: Cigarette [acc] quitting [acc] I-tried.
The verb 'denemek' (to try) takes the action of 'quitting' as its direct object.
- Tatile gitmeyi planlıyoruz.
We are planning to go on vacation.
Word by Word: Vacation-to going [acc] we-are-planning.
The specific plan is 'going to vacation', which acts as the object of 'planlamak'.
- Onun buraya gelmesini bekliyoruz.
We are waiting for him to come here.
Word by Word: His here coming-his-[acc] we-are-waiting.
Because the subject of 'waiting' (we) is different from the subject of 'coming' (he), we must use a possessive suffix (-si) and the buffer -n- before the accusative case.
Common Mistakes
Using the plain infinitive (-mek) instead of the accusative (-meyi) with verbs like 'sevmek'.
Yüzmek seviyorum.Yüzmeyi seviyorum.Verbs like 'sevmek' (to love) require their object to be in the accusative case. You cannot use the plain -mek form here.
Using the accusative (-meyi) with the verb 'istemek'.
Okumayı istiyorum.Okumak istiyorum.The verb 'istemek' (to want) usually takes the plain infinitive (-mek) rather than the accusative form when the subject is the same. The accusative form (Okumayı istiyorum) is also correct, but less usual.
Using -meyi with verbs that require the dative case (-maya).
Gitmeyi başladım.Gitmeye başladım.Some verbs, like 'başlamak' (to start), require the dative case (-e/-a) rather than the accusative.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the '-meyi' pattern, you need to know how to form verbal nouns using the short infinitive (-me/-ma) and how to apply the accusative case marker -(y)i. This pattern is used when a verb acts as the specific object of another verb, such as 'sevmek' (to love) or 'öğrenmek' (to learn).
- -(y)i (belirtme hâli)Accusative Case
The -meyi pattern is a combination of the short infinitive (-me) and the accusative case marker -(y)i, which is required by specific verbs like 'sevmek'.
Level 1 - -me/-ma (olumsuz emir)Negative Commands
The -me/-ma suffix used here is the short infinitive (verbal noun) form, which shares the same phonological rules as the negative suffix.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- -me (ad-fiil)Turning a Verb into a Noun with -me
This is the base verbal noun (short infinitive) used to build the -meyi pattern.
Level 5 - -y-Buffer Consonant -y-
The buffer consonant used to separate the two vowels in this pattern.
Level 1 - -meye başlamakStart Doing Something
A similar pattern using the dative case instead of the accusative, used with the verb 'to start'.
Level 4 - -mek/-makThe Infinitive
The full infinitive, which is often confused with the short infinitive used in -meyi.
Level 1 - -mesini istemekWanting Someone Else to Do Something
An extension of this pattern used when you want someone else to do an action.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice -meyi in Bubblegum
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