-dek / -day
Like, As: -dek
The ending -dek, or its twin -day, means like or as. Put it on the thing you compare with: oydek goʻzal (beautiful as the moon), toshdek qattiq (hard as stone).
How It Works
-dek and -day are two forms of the same ending. Both are standard, and you can use either one. They mean like or as ... as, and they go on the thing you compare with:
- oydek goʻzal (beautiful as the moon)
- toshdek qattiq (hard as stone)
- gulday qiz (a girl like a flower)
Because Uzbek has no vowel harmony, the ending never changes to match the word. It is also unstressed: in oydek, the stress stays on oy.
Things and actions. A word with -dek can describe a noun, like an adjective: kamondek qoshlar (eyebrows curved like bows). It can also describe how something happens: U bolalardek quvondi (He was happy like a child).
With xuddi. Xuddi (just, exactly) often comes first to make the comparison stronger: U xuddi onasidek gapiradi (She talks just like her mother). Bugun ham xuddi kechagidek issiq (Today is just as hot as yesterday); here kechagi means yesterday's, built with -gi.
With pronouns. Pronouns take the ending directly: mendek, sendek, bizdek, sizdek. Sendek doʻst topish qiyin (It's hard to find a friend like you).
With verbs. On a -gan participle with a possessive ending, -dek means as: Aytganingizdek qildim (I did as you said), kutganimdek (as I expected). Without a possessive, -gandek can also mean as if, which you will meet with goʻyo.
Other ways to compare. Kabi and singari mean the same but stand as separate words after the noun. To say someone looks like someone, use the verb oʻxshamoq. To compare amounts (as much as), use -chalik, and for than, use -dan.
Examples (6)
- U oydek goʻzal.
She is as beautiful as the moon.
Word by Word: She moon-like beautiful.
-dek goes on oy, the thing she is compared with.
- Non toshdek qattiq boʻlib qolibdi.
The bread has gone as hard as a stone.
Word by Word: Bread stone-like hard become has-turned-out.
- U xuddi onasidek gapiradi.
She talks just like her mother.
Word by Word: She just mother-her-like talks.
Xuddi strengthens the comparison.
- Bugun ham xuddi kechagidek issiq.
Today is just as hot as yesterday.
Word by Word: Today also just yesterday's-like hot.
- Aytganingizdek qildim.
I did as you said.
Word by Word: Said-your-like did-I.
On a -gan participle with a possessive ending, -dek means as.
- Sendek doʻst topish qiyin.
It's hard to find a friend like you.
Word by Word: You-like friend finding hard.
Common Mistakes
Putting -dek on the adjective instead of the thing compared.
U oy goʻzaldek.U oydek goʻzal.-dek marks what you compare with, so it goes on oy (the moon), and the adjective follows.
Using -dek for than (meant: He is taller than me).
U mendek baland.U mendan baland.The incorrect sentence means He is tall like me, about the same height. For than, use -dan.
Writing -dek as a separate word.
Non tosh dek qattiq.Non toshdek qattiq.-dek is an ending, so it is written together with the word it follows.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on Than: -dan.
Related Patterns
- kabi / singariLike, Such as
Separate words after the noun that also mean like.
Level 3 - -ga oʻxshamoqTo Look Like
The verb for looking like or resembling someone.
Level 3 - -chalikAs ... as: -chalik
Compares amount or degree: as much as, not as ... as.
Level 3 - goʻyoAs if: Goʻyo
As if, often used together with -gandek.
Level 4 - -gan (sifatdosh)The Past Participle -gan
The participle in aytganingizdek (as you said).
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice -dek / -day in Bubblegum
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