G-Initial Endings After K and Q
After a word ending in k, an ending that starts with g starts with k: bank + ga = bankka. After q, it starts with q: chiq + gan = chiqqan.
How It Works
Many Uzbek endings begin with the letter g. When the word before them ends in k or q, the g changes to match:
- after k, g becomes k: ek (plant) + -gan = ekkan; bank + -ga = bankka.
- after q, g becomes q: chiq (go out) + -gan = chiqqan; qishloq (village) + -ga = qishloqqa.
Which endings? The spelling rules list these:
- -ga: tokka, qishloqqa
- -gacha: yoʻlakkacha (as far as the path), qishloqqacha
- -gan: ekkan, chiqqan, kechikkan (who was late)
- -gach: chiqqach (after going out)
- -guncha: zerikkuncha (until getting bored), chiqquncha
- -gani and -gudek: chiniqqani, qoʻrqqudek
- -gin: ekkin, chiqqin
- -gina: kichikkina (tiny), achchiqqina
The stem stays the same. Before endings that begin with a vowel, a final k or q can soften (k > g, q > gʻ): yurak → yuragim. That never happens here, because these endings begin with a consonant: yurakka, not yuragga.
After g and gʻ, write g. In all other cases the ending is written with g, even where it sounds like k or q: togʻga (to the mountain), bargga (to the leaf), pedagogga (to the teacher). Speakers often say "toqqa", but the standard spelling is togʻga.
The endings -gi, -ki, -qi and -gich, -qich also have k and q shapes, but they use them after other consonants too: ichki (inner), tashqi (outer), ochqich (opener). Learn those words one by one.
Examples (6)
- Bu daraxtni bobom ekkan.
My grandfather planted this tree.
Word by Word: This tree-the grandfather-my planted.
ek + -gan = ekkan.
- Uydan chiqqach, doʻkonga bordim.
After I left the house, I went to the shop.
Word by Word: House-from going-out-after, shop-to went-I.
chiq + -gach = chiqqach.
- Ertaga bankka boraman.
I will go to the bank tomorrow.
Word by Word: Tomorrow bank-to go-I.
bank + -ga = bankka.
- Yozda qishloqqa ketamiz.
In the summer we are going to the village.
Word by Word: Summer-in village-to go-we.
qishloq + -ga = qishloqqa.
- Kechikkan talaba eshikni taqillatdi.
The student who was late knocked on the door.
Word by Word: Late-who-was student door-the knocked.
kechik + -gan = kechikkan.
- Ular togʻga chiqishdi.
They climbed the mountain.
Word by Word: They mountain-to climbed.
After gʻ the ending is still written -ga.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the g after a final q.
U uydan chiqgan.U uydan chiqqan.After q, an ending that starts with g starts with q: chiqqan, chiqqach, chiqquncha.
Keeping the g after a final k.
Men bankga bordim.Men bankka bordim.After k, the ending starts with k: bankka, ekkan, kichikkina.
Spelling the ending with q after gʻ because that is how it sounds.
Biz togʻqa chiqdik.Biz togʻga chiqdik.The k and q forms are only for words ending in k or q. After gʻ and g, always write g.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on Until and Before: -guncha and The Past Participle -gan.
Related Patterns
- -ga/-ka/-qaTo or Toward: -ga
The most common ending that follows this pattern.
Level 1 - k > g, q > gʻK and Q Soften Before Vowels
The opposite change: k and q soften before vowels, but never before these endings.
Level 1 - -gachAfter Doing: -gach
-gach becomes -kach and -qach: chiqqach.
Level 3 - -gi / -ki / -qiTime and Place Adjectives
Another ending with k and q shapes, though it also uses them after other consonants: ichki, tashqi.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice G-Initial Endings After K and Q in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Uzbek lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
