-masa
Unless, If Not
Verb stem + -ma- + -sa + person ending = if not, unless: kelmasangiz (if you don't come). -masa boʻlmaydi = have to: bormasam boʻlmaydi (I have to go).
How It Works
1. Building the form
Put -ma- between the stem and -sa:
- kelmasam (if I don't come), kelmasang, kelmasa, kelmasak, kelmasangiz, kelmasalar
- with a noun or adjective: qimmat boʻlmasa (if it isn't expensive)
2. If not, unless
Yomgʻir yogʻmasa, bogʻga boramiz (If it doesn't rain, we'll go to the park). You can open the clause with agar, but the verb still needs -masa: Agar shoshilmasak, avtobusga ulgurmaymiz (If we don't hurry, we won't make the bus).
3. -masa boʻlmaydi: have to
Literally, if I don't do it, it won't do. It says something must happen and often sounds more personal than -(i)sh kerak: Ertaga ishga bormasam boʻlmaydi (I have to go to work tomorrow).
4. Don't mix it up with -sa boʻlmaydi
Without the negative, the meaning flips. -sa boʻladi gives permission, so -sa boʻlmaydi means it is not allowed: Hozir hech kim kirsa boʻlmaydi (Nobody may go in right now). Compare bormasam boʻlmaydi (I have to go) with borsam boʻlmaydi (I'm not allowed to go).
5. Words built from it
Boʻlmasa, the -masa form of boʻlmoq, has become a word meaning otherwise: Tezroq yuring, boʻlmasa kechikamiz (Walk faster, otherwise we'll be late). With kerak it makes a guess: U bilmasa kerak (He probably doesn't know).
Examples (6)
- Kelmasangiz, xafa boʻlaman.
If you don't come, I'll be upset.
Word by Word: If-not-come-you, upset I-will-become.
- Yomgʻir yogʻmasa, ertaga bogʻga boramiz.
If it doesn't rain, we'll go to the park tomorrow.
Word by Word: Rain if-not-rains, tomorrow park-to we-will-go.
- Agar shoshilmasak, avtobusga ulgurmaymiz.
If we don't hurry, we won't make the bus.
Word by Word: If if-not-hurry-we, bus-to we-won't-make-it.
- Ertaga ishga bormasam boʻlmaydi.
I have to go to work tomorrow.
Word by Word: Tomorrow work-to if-not-go-I it-won't-do.
- Onamga qoʻngʻiroq qilmasam boʻlmaydi, u xavotir oladi.
I have to call my mother, or she'll worry.
Word by Word: Mother-my-to call if-not-do-I it-won't-do, she worry takes.
- Qimmat boʻlmasa, shu telefonni olaman.
If it isn't expensive, I'll buy this phone.
Word by Word: Expensive if-not-is, this phone-(obj.) I-will-buy.
Common Mistakes
Using an ordinary negative verb after agar.
Agar siz kelmaysiz, xafa boʻlaman.Agar siz kelmasangiz, xafa boʻlaman.Agar does not make the condition by itself. The verb must take -masa: kelmasangiz.
Dropping -ma- when you mean have to.
Ertaga ishga borsam boʻlmaydi.Ertaga ishga bormasam boʻlmaydi.Borsam boʻlmaydi means I'm not allowed to go. To say I have to go, keep the negative: bormasam boʻlmaydi.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on If: -sa.
Related Patterns
- -ma-Negative Verbs with -ma-
The negative verb marker that goes between the stem and -sa.
Level 1 - agarIf: Agar
Can open an if-not clause, but the verb still takes -masa.
Level 3 - aks holda / boʻlmasaOtherwise
Boʻlmasa, the -masa form of boʻlmoq, is used as a word meaning otherwise.
Level 3 - -(i)sh kerakHave to
Another way to say have to; -masa boʻlmaydi often sounds more personal and urgent.
Level 2 - -sa boʻladiMay, Can: -sa Boʻladi
The permission pattern; its negative -sa boʻlmaydi means not allowed, the opposite of -masa boʻlmaydi.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice -masa in Bubblegum
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