-lik (mavhum ot)

Abstract Nouns with -lik

Level 3

The ending -lik makes abstract nouns, like English -ness, -ship or -hood: doʻst → doʻstlik (friend → friendship), yaxshi → yaxshilik (good → kindness), bola → bolalik (child → childhood).

How It Works

English has many endings for abstract nouns: -ness, -ship, -hood, -dom. Uzbek uses one ending for all of them, -lik:

  • doʻst (friend) → doʻstlik (friendship)
  • yaxshi (good) → yaxshilik (kindness, a good deed)
  • bola (child) → bolalik (childhood)
  • mustaqil (independent) → mustaqillik (independence)
  • boy (rich) → boylik (wealth)

One shape. Because of no vowel harmony, it is always -lik. A few everyday words end in -liq instead, such as sogʻliq (health).

Adding more endings. Before a vowel, the final k becomes g, as explained in k > g, q > gʻ almashuvi: bolaligim (my childhood), doʻstligimiz (our friendship). In sogʻliq, the q becomes gʻ: sogʻligʻingiz (your health).

Other jobs of -lik. The same ending also names professions (oʻqituvchilik, being a teacher) and places (tepalik, a hill). On place names it says where someone is from; see -lik (kelib chiqish). With a number and a noun it means for or lasting: ikki kishilik xona (a room for two), bir haftalik taʼtil (a one-week holiday).

Compare. -(i)sh makes nouns from verbs, and -chi names a person who does something. -lik makes nouns mostly from adjectives and other nouns.

Examples (5)

  1. Doʻstlik — eng katta boylik.

    Friendship is the greatest wealth.

    Word by Word: Friendship — most big wealth.

    Both doʻstlik and boylik are nouns made with -lik.

  2. Bolaligimda qishloqda yashardim.

    In my childhood, I lived in a village.

    Word by Word: Childhood-my-in village-in lived-used-I.

    bolalik + -im + -da: the k becomes g before the vowel.

  3. Sizga yaxshilik tilayman.

    I wish you well.

    Word by Word: You-to goodness wish-I.

  4. Oʻzbekistonda Mustaqillik kuni 1-sentabrda nishonlanadi.

    In Uzbekistan, Independence Day is celebrated on September 1.

    Word by Word: Uzbekistan-in Independence day-its 1st-September-on is-celebrated.

  5. Sogʻligʻingiz yaxshimi?

    How is your health?

    Word by Word: Health-your good-Q?

    Sogʻliq ends in -liq, and its q becomes gʻ before a vowel.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the base word instead of the abstract noun (meant: Friendship is very important).

    Doʻst juda muhim.
    Doʻstlik juda muhim.

    Doʻst means a friend, so the incorrect sentence says A friend is very important. Add -lik to name the idea itself.

  • Keeping k before a vowel ending.

    Bolalikimda qishloqda yashardim.
    Bolaligimda qishloqda yashardim.

    When -lik is followed by a vowel ending such as -im, its k becomes g: bolaligim.

How It Connects

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-lik (mavhum ot)Level 3Abstract Nouns with -lik

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