-(i)n (oʻzlik nisbati)

Doing Something to Yourself: -(i)n

Level 4

Verb stem + -in (after a consonant) or -n (after a vowel) = do it to yourself: kiy- → kiyinmoq (to get dressed), tara- → taranmoq (to comb your hair).

How It Works

1. Building the form
Add -in after a consonant and -n after a vowel, then the usual tense endings:

  • kiy- → kiyinmoq (to get dressed)
  • yuv- → yuvinmoq (to wash up)
  • yech- → yechinmoq (to get undressed)
  • tara- → taranmoq (to comb your hair)
  • beza- → bezanmoq (to dress up)
  • maqta- → maqtanmoq (to boast)

2. No object
The plain verb needs an object; the reflexive verb does not:

  • Koʻylakni kiydim (I put on the shirt) → Kiyindim (I got dressed)
  • Idishlarni yuvdim (I washed the dishes) → Yuvindim (I washed up)

Some reflexive verbs have a meaning of their own: maqtanmoq (to praise yourself) means to boast, and the thing you boast about takes bilan: U mashinasi bilan maqtanadi (He boasts about his car).

3. Same shape as the passive
The endings -n, -in, -l and -il also make the passive. A quick test: if you can add oʻzi (by himself), it is reflexive; if you can ask kim tomonidan? (by whom?), it is passive. U kiyindi (he got dressed) is reflexive, while koʻylak kiyildi (the shirt was worn) is passive. Some verbs can be read both ways: xat yozildi (the letter was written) but tanlovga yozildim (I signed up for the contest).

4. Not every verb has one
Verbs such as uxlamoq, bormoq and ekmoq have no reflexive form. To say you did something to yourself with most other verbs, use oʻz: U oʻzini oynada koʻrdi (He saw himself in the mirror).

5. Adding more endings
A causative ending can follow the reflexive one: kiyin- → kiyintirmoq (to dress someone), yuvin- → yuvintirmoq (to bathe someone). See the causative.

Examples (6)

  1. Ertalab turib, tezda yuvindim va kiyindim.

    I got up in the morning and quickly washed up and got dressed.

    Word by Word: Morning getting-up, quickly washed-myself-I and dressed-myself-I.

  2. Qizim koʻzgu oldida uzoq tarandi.

    My daughter combed her hair in front of the mirror for a long time.

    Word by Word: Daughter-my mirror in-front-of long combed-herself.

    tara- (to comb) ends in a vowel, so the reflexive is taran-.

  3. Yechinib, dushga tushdim.

    I got undressed and took a shower.

    Word by Word: Undressing-myself, shower-to went-down-I.

  4. U doim yangi mashinasi bilan maqtanadi.

    He is always boasting about his new car.

    Word by Word: He always new car-his with praises-himself.

    The thing you boast about takes bilan.

  5. Gulxan yonida isindik.

    We warmed ourselves by the campfire.

    Word by Word: Campfire next-to warmed-ourselves-we.

  6. Kelin toʻyga chiroyli bezandi.

    The bride dressed up beautifully for the wedding.

    Word by Word: Bride wedding-for beautiful adorned-herself.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the plain verb with no object when you mean yourself.

    Ertalab tez kiydim.
    Ertalab tez kiyindim.

    Kiymoq needs an object: koʻylakni kiydim (I put on the shirt). To say I got dressed, use the reflexive kiyindim.

  • Using the passive ending instead of the reflexive one.

    Men har kuni ertalab yuvilaman.
    Men har kuni ertalab yuvinaman.

    Yuvilmoq is passive and means being washed by someone else. Washing yourself is yuvinmoq.

How It Connects

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

-(i)n (oʻzlik nisbati)Level 4Doing Something to Yourself: -(i)n

Learn This First

Builds on The Passive Voice.