-mesini istemek
Wanting Someone Else to Do Something
In Turkish, when the person who 'wants' is different from the person 'doing' the action, you use a nominalized clause: [Verb Stem] + -me/-ma + [Possessive] + -(n)i + istemek.
How It Works
The construction follows a specific morphological sequence:
1. The Subject: If the person you want to do the action is explicitly named, they must take the genitive case (e.g., Ayşe'nin gitmesini istiyorum). If using a pronoun, the possessive pronoun is often dropped.
2. Verb Stem + -me / -ma: The two-way vowel harmony suffix that turns the verb into a noun.
3. Possessive Suffix: Indicates the 'doer' of the action (-m, -n, -si, -miz, -niz, -leri).
4. Buffer -n-: Used after the 3rd person possessive (-si / -ları) before the case ending.
5. Accusative Case (-i / -ı / -u / -ü): Required because the entire phrase is the direct object of istemek.
Formula: [Subject-Genitive] + [Stem] + [mA] + [Possessive] + [(n)I] + istemek
This structure is essential to become proficient in complex sentences and is also used with verbs like beklemek (to expect) or söylemek (to tell/order).
Examples (5)
- Senin buraya gelmeni istiyorum.
I want you to come here.
Word by Word: Your here coming-your-(acc) I-want.
Here, 'gel-me-n-i' shows that 'you' (n) are the one coming, and the accusative (i) marks it as the object of 'istiyorum'.
- Annem odayı toplamamı istedi.
My mother wanted me to tidy up the room.
Word by Word: My-mother the-room my-tidying-up-(acc) wanted.
The suffix '-m' indicates that 'I' am the one who should tidy up.
- Öğretmen, öğrencilerin ödevlerini yapmalarını bekliyor.
The teacher expects the students to do their homework.
Word by Word: Teacher, students' homeworks their-doing-(n)-(acc) expects.
Note the buffer 'n' used after the 3rd person plural possessive '-ları' before the accusative case.
- Dışarı çıkmanı istemiyorum.
I don't want you to go out.
Word by Word: Out your-going-(acc) I-don't-want.
To negate the desire, we negate the main verb 'istemek'.
- Oraya gitmemeni istiyorum.
I want you not to go there.
Word by Word: There your-not-going-(acc) I-want.
To negate the action itself, we add the negative suffix '-me' before the nominalizing '-me'.
Common Mistakes
Using the full infinitive (-mek) for different subjects.
Sen gitmek istiyorum.Gitmeni istiyorum.The -mek suffix is only for when the subject of 'wanting' and 'doing' is the same. For different subjects, use the possessive construction. Casual speech sometimes uses a short form like 'Gelsin istiyorum,' but the possessive form is the standard one.
Forgetting the buffer 'n' for the 3rd person.
Onun gelmesi istiyorum.Onun gelmesini istiyorum.When adding the accusative case to a 3rd person possessive (-si), you must use the buffer 'n'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand '-mesini istemek', you need to know how to turn a verb into a noun using '-me', how to attach possessive suffixes to show who does the action, and how to apply the accusative case because the action is the object of the verb 'to want'.
Related Patterns
- -mek istemekWanting to Do Something
Used when the subject wants to perform the action themselves, rather than wanting someone else to do it.
Level 1 - -n-Buffer Consonant -n-
The buffer consonant required between the 3rd person possessive and the accusative case.
Level 1 - demek / söylemekDemek or Söylemek?
These verbs use the same nominalization pattern to report commands or requests (e.g., 'Gitmeni söyledim').
Level 3 - -mem gerekiyorNeed to with a Possessive
Uses a similar possessive + verbal noun structure to express necessity for a specific person.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice -mesini istemek in Bubblegum
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