-ov / -ala

Both, The Two of Them

Level 4

The endings -ov and -ala turn a small number into a group: ikkovimiz (the two of us), ikkalasi (both of them), ikkala qoʻli bilan (with both hands).

How It Works

Uzbek has special group numbers (jamlovchi sonlar) for the two of us, all three of them and so on. They are built from the counting numbers.

Forms. A number that ends in a vowel drops it:

  • -ov: ikkov, uchov, toʻrtov, beshov, oltov, yettov
  • -ala: ikkala, uchala, toʻrtala

These forms are used with small numbers, and ikkov and ikkala are by far the most common. -ovlon (uchovlon, the three together) is a less common variant.

With possessive endings. Most often the group number takes a possessive ending that says whose group it is, and the verb agrees with that person:

  • ikkovimiz / ikkalamiz (the two of us): Ikkovimiz bordik.
  • ikkovingiz / ikkalangiz (the two of you)
  • ikkovi / ikkalasi (the two of them, both)

Before a noun. Ikkala can stand directly before a noun: ikkala qoʻl (both hands), ikkala tomon (both sides).

Both vs two of them. Ikkalasi means the whole pair. Ikkitasi, with -ta, means two out of a larger group. For large numbers, use -ta with a possessive: oʻntasi (ten of them).

Ham often follows to stress both: Ikkalasi ham keldi (Both of them came).

Examples (6)

  1. Ikkovimiz kinoga bordik.

    The two of us went to the cinema.

    Word by Word: Two-group-our cinema-to went-we.

    The verb agrees with the possessive: -imiz with -dik.

  2. Ikkalasi ham shifokor.

    Both of them are doctors.

    Word by Word: Two-group-their also doctor.

  3. Kosani ikkala qoʻlingiz bilan ushlang.

    Hold the bowl with both hands.

    Word by Word: Bowl-ACC both hand-your with hold.

  4. Uchovingiz ertaga keling.

    The three of you, come tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Three-group-your tomorrow come.

  5. Toʻrtovi bir xonada yashaydi.

    The four of them live in one room.

    Word by Word: Four-group-their one room-in live.

  6. Uchala aka-uka bitta maktabda oʻqigan.

    All three brothers went to the same school.

    Word by Word: Three-group brothers one school-at studied.

    Uchala stands directly before the noun.

Common Mistakes

  • Not making the verb agree with the possessive ending.

    Ikkovimiz kinoga bordi.
    Ikkovimiz kinoga bordik.

    Ikkovimiz means the two of us, so the verb needs the we ending: bordik.

  • Keeping the final vowel of ikki.

    Ikkiovimiz kinoga bordik.
    Ikkovimiz kinoga bordik.

    The final vowel of ikki, olti and yetti drops before -ov and -ala: ikkov, oltov, yettov, ikkala.

How It Connects

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

-ov / -alaLevel 4Both, The Two of Them

Learn This First

Builds on The Counting Suffix -ta and Our: -(i)miz.