deb
Quoting with Deb
Quoted words + deb + a verb of saying or thinking: Toʻgʻri deb oʻylayman (I think it’s right), Ertaga kelaman deb aytdi (He said he would come tomorrow).
How It Works
In English the verb of saying comes first: He said that .... In Uzbek the quoted clause comes first, deb closes it, and the verb of saying ends the sentence.
1. The pattern
[what was said or thought] + deb + main verb. Common main verbs: aytmoq (say, tell), oʻylamoq (think), soʻramoq (ask), eshitmoq (hear), yozmoq (write). When the main verb is demoq itself, no deb is needed: U ertaga kelaman dedi (He said he would come tomorrow).
2. The words stay as they were said
The quoted clause is a full sentence with its own verb ending. If he said Ertaga kelaman (I’ll come tomorrow), you report U ertaga kelaman deb aytdi. Only the context tells the listener that I here means he.
3. Questions
A question works the same way: Qachon kelasan deb soʻradi (He asked when I would come).
4. Thoughts, reasons and names
- Opinion: Toʻgʻri deb oʻylayman (I think it’s right).
- Reason, thinking that: Yomgʻir yogʻadi deb, soyabon oldim (Thinking it would rain, I took an umbrella).
- Names: Bu taom palov deb ataladi (This dish is called palov).
- Purpose, so that: -sin deb.
5. Related forms of demoq
degan links a quote to a noun (a word meaning ..., a man called ...), and deya is a literary version of deb.
Examples (6)
- U ertaga kelaman deb aytdi.
He said he would come tomorrow.
Word by Word: He tomorrow I-will-come saying said.
The quoted verb kelaman keeps the speaker’s own person.
- Toʻgʻri deb oʻylayman.
I think it’s right.
Word by Word: Right saying I-think.
- Qachon kelasan deb soʻradi.
He asked when I would come.
Word by Word: When you-will-come saying he-asked.
- Poyezd kechikadi deb eshitdim.
I heard that the train will be late.
Word by Word: Train will-be-late saying I-heard.
- Yomgʻir yogʻadi deb, soyabon oldim.
Thinking it would rain, I took an umbrella.
Word by Word: Rain will-fall saying, umbrella I-took.
- Bu taom palov deb ataladi.
This dish is called palov.
Word by Word: This dish palov saying is-named.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out deb between the quote and the verb of saying.
U ertaga kelaman aytdi.U ertaga kelaman deb aytdi.A quoted clause cannot attach directly to aytmoq or oʻylamoq. Deb closes the quote and links it to the main verb.
Putting the verb of saying before the quote, as in English.
U aytdi deb ertaga kelaman.U ertaga kelaman deb aytdi.Deb comes right after the quoted words, and the verb of saying goes last.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on Linking Actions With -(i)b.
Related Patterns
- deganCalled, Meaning: Degan
Another form of demoq, used to link a quote or a name to a noun.
Level 4 - deyaLiterary Quotation with Deya
A literary equivalent of deb.
Level 6 - -sin debSo That: -sin Deb
Deb after a -sin form expresses a purpose: so that.
Level 4 - menimchaIn My Opinion
Another way to give an opinion without a deb clause: in my opinion.
Level 3 - -ganiniThat Something Happened: -ganini
Reports a fact as a noun clause instead of quoting the words.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice deb in Bubblegum
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