menda bor
Having Something on You
Person + -da + thing + bor: Menda qalam bor (I have a pen on me), Sizda vaqt bormi? (Do you have time?).
How It Works
Everyday Uzbek has no verb for to have. It says that something exists, with bor, and marks the owner.
1. The -da pattern
Put the ending -da on the person, then the thing, then bor:
- Menda qalam bor. — I have a pen on me.
- Sizda vaqt bormi? — Do you have time?
- Anvarda kalit bor. — Anvar has the key.
The pronoun forms are menda, senda, bizda, sizda, ularda, and unda for he or she, with the extra n.
2. Not having
Use yoʻq in place of bor: Menda pul yoʻq (I don't have any money on me).
3. Asking
Add -mi to bor: Sizda non bormi? This is also the usual way to ask a shop whether it has something.
4. -da or the possessive?
Both patterns say "have", but they feel different:
- Menda mashina bor — I have a car available.
- Mashinam bor — I have a car (it is mine).
- Akam bor — I have an older brother. Family members and body parts use the possessive with bor, not -da.
For money, time and small things you carry, the -da pattern is the everyday choice.
Examples (6)
- Menda qalam bor.
I have a pen on me.
Word by Word: Me-at pen there-is.
men + -da → menda, then bor.
- Sizda vaqt bormi?
Do you have time?
Word by Word: You-at time there-is-?
-mi goes on bor to make the question.
- Menda pul yoʻq.
I don't have any money on me.
Word by Word: Me-at money there-isn't.
yoʻq replaces bor for not having.
- Sizda non bormi?
Do you have bread?
Word by Word: You-at bread there-is-?
The normal question to a shopkeeper.
- Anvarda kalit bor.
Anvar has the key.
Word by Word: Anvar-at key there-is.
A name takes -da the same way as a pronoun.
- Bizda bugun mehmon bor.
We have guests today.
Word by Word: Us-at today guest there-is.
The guests are at our place today.
Common Mistakes
Leaving -da off the owner.
Men qalam bor.Menda qalam bor.Bor only says that something exists. The owner needs -da to show where it is: menda.
Using -da for a family member (intended: I have an older brother).
Menda aka bor.Akam bor.-da describes something with you or at your disposal. For family, put the possessive on the relative: akam bor.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on Pronouns With Case Endings.
Related Patterns
- Possessive + borHaving with Bor
The other way to say have, used for family and lasting ownership: Akam bor.
Level 1 - borThere Is
Bor says that something exists; -da adds who has it.
Level 1 - yoʻqThere Is Not, And No
Yoʻq replaces bor to say someone does not have something.
Level 1 - -da (oʻrin-payt kelishigi)In, At or on: -da
The locative ending that marks the owner in this pattern.
Level 1 - -miYes-No Questions with -mi
Adding -mi to bor asks whether someone has something: bormi?
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice menda bor in Bubblegum
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