unga / bunga / shunga

The Extra N in Unga and Bunga

Level 2

u, bu, shu take an extra n before -ga, -da, -dan: u + n + -ga → unga (to him), bu + n + -da → bunda (in this).

How It Works

u means he, she, it or that; bu means this; shu means this, for something right here or just mentioned. When they stand alone as pronouns, they take case endings with an extra n.

1. The forms

  • u: unga (to him or her), unda (on him or her, in it), undan (from him or her), uni (him or her, as object), uning (his, her)
  • bu: bunga (to this), bunda (in this), bundan (from this), buni (this, as object), buning (of this)
  • shu: shunga, shunda, shundan, shuni, shuning

The same n appears with oʻsha (that same one): oʻshanda (at that time). The plurals are regular: ularga, bularni.

2. Not on nouns
This n belongs only to these pronouns. A noun with the possessive -(s)i takes the case ending directly: unga (to him), but uyiga (to his house). See case endings after a possessive.

3. Before a noun, no ending
When bu, shu or u stands in front of a noun, it does not change at all, and the noun takes the ending: bu uyda (in this house), shu kitobni (this book, as object).

4. Everyday phrases
Some forms are common words in their own right: shunda (just then), unda (then, in that case), undan keyin (after that), and shuning uchun (so, therefore).

Examples (6)

  1. Unga telefon qildim.

    I called him.

    Word by Word: Him-to phone did-I.

    u + n + -ga → unga.

  2. Buni koʻrdingizmi?

    Did you see this?

    Word by Word: This-the saw-you-?

    bu + -ni → buni. The n here is the ending's own.

  3. Undan soʻrang.

    Ask her.

    Word by Word: Her-from ask.

    u + n + -dan → undan.

  4. Bunga nima deysiz?

    What do you say to this?

    Word by Word: This-to what say-you?

    bu + n + -ga → bunga.

  5. Shunda u keldi.

    Just then, he arrived.

    Word by Word: That-at he came.

    shunda is used as a time word: at that moment.

  6. Uning ismi Laylo.

    Her name is Laylo.

    Word by Word: Her name-her Laylo.

    u + -ning → uning.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving out the n.

    Uga xat yozdim.
    Unga xat yozdim.

    The pronoun u always adds n before -ga: unga. Uga is not a word.

  • Adding a case ending to bu when it stands before a noun.

    Bunda uyda yashayman.
    Bu uyda yashayman.

    Before a noun, bu does not change. Only the noun takes the ending: bu uyda (in this house).

How It Connects

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unga / bunga / shungaLevel 2The Extra N in Unga and Bunga

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Builds on Pronouns With Case Endings.

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Words in This Pattern

ubushuoʻshabunda