qilmoq / boʻlmoq
Making vs. Becoming: Qilmoq and Boʻlmoq
X qilmoq = make it X. X boʻlmoq = become X. Muammoni hal qildik (we solved the problem), Muammo hal boʻldi (the problem got solved).
How It Works
Uzbek builds many verbs from a noun or adjective plus qilmoq (to do, to make). Many of these have a partner with boʻlmoq (to become) that describes the same change from the other side.
1. Common pairs
- xursand qilmoq (to make happy) / xursand boʻlmoq (to be glad)
- xafa qilmoq (to upset, to offend) / xafa boʻlmoq (to get upset)
- hal qilmoq (to solve) / hal boʻlmoq (to be solved)
- tayyor qilmoq (to get something ready) / tayyor boʻlmoq (to be ready)
- hayron qilmoq (to amaze) / hayron boʻlmoq (to be amazed)
- yoʻq qilmoq (to get rid of) / yoʻq boʻlmoq (to disappear)
- paydo qilmoq (to bring about) / paydo boʻlmoq (to appear)
2. Two sentence shapes
With qilmoq: the cause + the one affected-ni + X qildi.
Bu xabar meni xursand qildi. (This news made me happy.)
With boʻlmoq: the one affected + X boʻldi, and the cause usually takes an ending such as -dan.
Men bu xabardan xursand boʻldim. (I was happy about this news.)
Some verbs take a different ending for the cause: Bunga hayron boʻldim (I was amazed at this).
3. boʻlmoq or the passive?
Muammo hal boʻldi says the problem got solved, without pointing at anyone. The passive Muammo hal qilindi (the problem was solved) implies that someone solved it.
4. Not every word has both
Learn each compound as a unit. harakat qilmoq means to try, and it has no becoming partner. In formal writing etmoq often replaces qilmoq: hal etmoq (to resolve).
Examples (6)
- Sovgʻangiz meni juda xursand qildi.
Your gift made me very happy.
Word by Word: Gift-your me-(obj.) very happy made.
- Sovgʻangizdan juda xursand boʻldim.
I was very happy with your gift.
Word by Word: Gift-your-from very happy became-I.
The same change seen from the other side: now I am the subject, and the gift takes -dan.
- Ustoz bu masalani tez hal qildi.
The teacher solved this problem quickly.
Word by Word: Teacher this problem-(obj.) quickly solution made.
- Hamma muammolar hal boʻldi.
All the problems have been solved.
Word by Word: All problems solution became.
- Ovqat tayyor boʻldi, dasturxonga keling!
The food is ready, come to the table!
Word by Word: Food ready became, table-to come!
- Kechirasiz, sizni xafa qildimmi?
Sorry, did I upset you?
Word by Word: Sorry, you-(obj.) upset made-I-?
Common Mistakes
Using qilmoq when the subject is the one who feels the change.
Men sovgʻangizdan xursand qildim.Men sovgʻangizdan xursand boʻldim.Intended: I was happy with your gift. I am the one who became happy, so the verb is xursand boʻlmoq.
Using boʻlmoq with an object.
Bu xabar meni xursand boʻldi.Bu xabar meni xursand qildi.meni is an object: the news did something to me. An object needs qilmoq.
Keeping -ni after switching to boʻlmoq.
Muammoni hal boʻldi.Muammo hal boʻldi.boʻlmoq has no object, so the thing that changes is the subject without -ni. With -ni you need hal qildik (we solved the problem).
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on The Passive Voice.
Related Patterns
- Noun + qilmoqCompound Verbs with Qilmoq
Introduces compound verbs with qilmoq, the making half of each pair.
Level 2 - boʻlmoqTo Be, To Become
The verb to be or to become, which forms the becoming half.
Level 2 - Noun + etmoqFormal Compound Verbs with Etmoq
The formal partner of qilmoq in written compound verbs.
Level 4 - -niThe Definite Object Ending -ni
Marks the object of the qilmoq verb.
Level 1 - -dir/-tir/-tMaking Someone Do It: -dir and -t
Another way to say make someone do or become something, with an ending on the verb.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice qilmoq / boʻlmoq in Bubblegum
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