-a turib
Although Knowing: -a Turib
-a turib means while (already) doing or knowing, usually with a sense of despite: Bila turib, aytmadi (He knew, yet he didn't say).
How It Works
1. Building it
verb stem + -a (after a consonant) or -y (after a vowel) + turib:
- bil- → bila turib (knowing)
- koʻr- → koʻra turib (seeing)
- eshit- → eshita turib (hearing)
- yasha- → yashay turib (living)
Turib is written as a separate word.
2. Knowingly, yet
The typical meaning is that someone knew or saw something and still acted against it: Meni koʻra turib, salom bermadi (He saw me, yet he didn't say hello). It often sounds like a complaint.
3. While being in a situation
With other verbs it describes a lasting situation that makes the main clause surprising: Toshkentda yashay turib, hali Chorsu bozorini koʻrmaganman (I live in Tashkent, yet I still haven't seen Chorsu Bazaar).
4. The negative
-may turib means without doing: Bilmay turib, gapirmang (Don't talk about it without knowing). Compare -masdan.
5. Not the same as -(i)b turmoq
-(i)b turmoq is a helper verb meaning keep doing: kelib turing (come by now and then). In -a turib, the verb before turib is in the -a form and the phrase is a clause of its own.
For a plain although clause, see -gani bilan and -sa ham.
Examples (5)
- Bila turib, aytmadi.
He knew, yet he didn't say.
Word by Word: Knowing standing, didn't-say.
- Meni koʻra turib, salom bermadi.
He saw me, yet he didn't say hello.
Word by Word: Me-ACC seeing standing, greeting didn't-give.
- Xato ekanini bila turib, yana shunday qildi.
He knew it was a mistake, yet he did it again.
Word by Word: Mistake being-its-ACC knowing standing, again so did.
- Toshkentda yashay turib, hali Chorsu bozorini koʻrmaganman.
I live in Tashkent, yet I still haven't seen Chorsu Bazaar.
Word by Word: Tashkent-in living standing, still Chorsu bazaar-its-ACC I-haven't-seen.
- Bilmay turib, gapirmang.
Don't talk about it without knowing.
Word by Word: Not-knowing standing, don't-speak.
The negative -may turib means without doing.
Common Mistakes
Putting a -gan form before turib.
Meni koʻrgan turib, salom bermadi.Meni koʻra turib, salom bermadi.Turib follows the -a/-y form of the verb: koʻra turib, bila turib.
Writing the two words together.
Bilaturib, aytmadi.Bila turib, aytmadi.Turib is written as a separate word after the -a form.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on Keep Doing: -(i)b turmoq and Although: -gani bilan.
Related Patterns
- -sa hamEven if
Another although, which can also mean even if.
Level 4 - -ga qaramayDespite
Despite, after a noun or a -ganiga clause.
Level 4 - -masdan / -mayWithout Doing
Without doing; compare bilmay turib.
Level 3 - ekanini / ekanliginiWhere or What Something Is
Often names what the person knew: xato ekanini bila turib.
Level 5