-(y)iz

We Are

Level 1

Use -(y)iz to say 'we are' something. It attaches to nouns, adjectives, or locations (e.g., Öğrenciyiz = We are students).

How It Works

The suffix -(y)iz is the 'copula' for the first-person plural (biz).

1. Vowel Harmony Rules:
The vowel in the suffix changes based on Four-Way Vowel Harmony:

  • After e, i → -iz (e.g., Öğretmeniz)
  • After a, ı → -ız (e.g., Hazırız)
  • After o, u → -uz (e.g., Mutluyuz)
  • After ö, ü → -üz (e.g., Kötüyüz)

2. The Buffer Consonant:
If the word ends in a vowel, you must add a buffer -y- before the suffix. For example: Öğrenci + iz becomes Öğrenciyiz.

3. Consonant Softening:
When this suffix (which starts with a vowel) is added to words ending in p, ç, t, or k, the final consonant often changes (e.g., ç becomes c). This is called Consonant Softening. Example: Genç + iz = Genciz.

4. Questions:
To ask a question, use the question word followed by the buffer -y- and the suffix. The suffix always follows the vowel of the question particle: Hazır mıyız? (Are we ready?) or Öğrenci miyiz? (Are we students?).

5. Negation:
To say 'we are not,' use the word değil. Since değil ends in 'i,' the suffix is always -iz: Biz yorgun değiliz (We are not tired).

Examples (6)

  1. Biz çok mutluyuz.

    We are very happy.

    Word by Word: We very happy-are.

    Mutlu ends in 'u', so we use the '-uz' variant and a buffer 'y'.

  2. Hazırız.

    We are ready.

    Word by Word: Ready-are.

    Hazır ends in 'ı', so the suffix becomes '-ız'. The pronoun 'biz' is omitted here.

  3. Genciz.

    We are young.

    Word by Word: Young-are.

    The word 'genç' ends in 'ç'. When the suffix '-iz' is added, the 'ç' changes to 'c' due to consonant softening.

  4. Biz Türk değiliz.

    We are not Turkish.

    Word by Word: We Turkish not-are.

    In negative sentences, the suffix always attaches to 'değil'.

  5. Öğrenci miyiz?

    Are we students?

    Word by Word: Student [question]-are?

    In questions, the suffix attaches to the question particle 'mi' with a buffer 'y'.

  6. Öğretmeniz.

    We are teachers.

    Word by Word: Teacher-are.

    Öğretmen ends in 'e', so the suffix is '-iz'.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting the buffer 'y' when a word ends in a vowel.

    Öğrenciiz.
    Öğrenciyiz.

    Turkish does not allow two vowels to sit next to each other in this context; a buffer 'y' is required.

  • Confusing the 'we are' suffix with the 'our' possessive suffix.

    Öğretmenimiz.
    Öğretmeniz.

    Öğretmenimiz means 'our teacher.' Öğretmeniz means 'we are teachers.' Note the extra 'im' in the possessive form.

  • Ignoring vowel harmony.

    Yorguniz.
    Yorgunuz.

    Because 'yorgun' has a 'u' as its last vowel, the suffix must also use 'u' (four-way vowel harmony).

How It Connects

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

-(y)izLevel 1We Are

Learn This First

To learn the 'We Are' suffix, you need to understand how four-way vowel harmony changes the suffix's vowel and how the buffer consonant -y- prevents two vowels from meeting. Familiarity with the pronoun 'biz' provides the necessary context for its use.