k > g, q > gʻ
K and Q Soften Before Vowels
Before -im, -i and the other possessive endings, a final k usually becomes g and a final q becomes gʻ: yurak → yuragim, qishloq → qishlogʻimiz.
How It Works
When a vowel-initial possessive ending lands on a final k or q, the sound between two vowels softens, and the spelling follows:
- k → g: yurak + -im → yuragim (my heart), eshik + -i → eshigi (its door), kuchuk + -imiz → kuchugimiz (our puppy).
- q → gʻ: oyoq + -im → oyogʻim (my foot), qishloq + -imiz → qishlogʻimiz (our village), qoshiq + -i → qoshigʻi (his spoon).
The official spelling rules (1995, rule 34) list this change for the possessive endings -(i)m, -(i)ng, -(s)i, -(i)miz and -(i)ngiz. It also reaches forms such as yaxshiroq → yaxshirogʻi (the better one) and the set phrase keragi yoʻq (there is no need).
Words that keep k and q:
- Most one-syllable words: yuk → yukim (my load), erk → erki (his freedom). A few, like bek → begi and yoʻq → yoʻgʻi, still change.
- Many longer borrowed words: huquq → huquqim (my right), ishtirok → ishtiroki (his participation). Others, like kubok → kubogi (his trophy), do change, so check a dictionary when a borrowed word is new to you.
Consonant-initial endings never cause it. Before -ga, the ending itself changes instead: yurak → yurakka, qishloq → qishloqqa. See -ga/-ka/-qa (joʻnalish kelishigi) and g- qoʻshimchalarining k/q shakli. -ni, -da and -lar leave the word alone: qishloqda, yuraklar.
Examples (5)
- Oyogʻim ogʻriyapti.
My foot hurts.
Word by Word: Foot-my is-hurting.
oyoq + -im → oyogʻim: q becomes gʻ.
- Qishlogʻimiz katta emas.
Our village is not big.
Word by Word: Village-our big not.
qishloq + -imiz → qishlogʻimiz.
- Eshigingiz ochiq.
Your door is open.
Word by Word: Door-your open.
eshik + -ingiz → eshigingiz: k becomes g.
- Kuchugimiz bor.
We have a puppy.
Word by Word: Puppy-our exists.
kuchuk + -imiz → kuchugimiz.
- Yukim ogʻir.
My load is heavy.
Word by Word: Load-my heavy.
yuk has one syllable, so it keeps k: yukim.
Common Mistakes
Keeping q or k in a longer native word.
Qishloqimiz katta emas.Qishlogʻimiz katta emas.Qishloq has two syllables, so before -imiz its q becomes gʻ, in speech and in writing.
Softening before a consonant-initial ending.
Men qishlogʻga boraman.Men qishloqqa boraman.Only possessive endings cause the change. Before -ga, the q stays and the ending becomes -qa: qishloqqa.
Softening a word that keeps q.
Bu mening huqugʻim.Bu mening huquqim.Huquq is a borrowed word that keeps its q, just like ishtirok keeps its k. The official spelling rules list both.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on My: -(i)m.
Related Patterns
- -(s)iHis, Her or Its: -(s)i
Triggers the same change: yuragi, qishlogʻi.
Level 1 - -(i)mizOur: -(i)miz
Triggers the same change: qishlogʻimiz.
Level 1 - G-Initial Endings After K and Q
The opposite case: after k and q, a g-initial ending changes instead.
Level 3 - -ga/-ka/-qaTo or Toward: -ga
Shows why qishloq becomes qishloqqa, not qishlogʻga.
Level 1 - The Dropped Vowel
Another change at the seam before possessive endings.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice k > g, q > gʻ in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Uzbek lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
