Which Case a Verb Takes

In Uzbek the verb decides which case ending its object takes. Grammar books call this feʼl boshqaruvi, "verb government". The ending is often not the one an English speaker would guess, so the safest habit is to learn every new verb together with its ending: not just qoʻrqmoq, but -dan qoʻrqmoq.

Verbs with -dan (the "from" case):

• -dan qoʻrqmoq, to be afraid of: Itdan qoʻrqaman (I am afraid of dogs).
• -dan soʻramoq, to ask someone: Oʻqituvchidan soʻradim (I asked the teacher).
• -dan foydalanmoq, to use: Lugʻatdan foydalaning (Use a dictionary).
• -dan xafa boʻlmoq, to be upset with: Mendan xafa boʻlmang (Don't be upset with me).

Verbs with -ga (the "to" case):

• -ga qaramoq, to look at: Menga qarang (Look at me).
• -ga yordam bermoq, to help: Onamga yordam beraman (I help my mother).
• -ga ishonmoq, to believe or trust: Sizga ishonaman (I trust you).
• -ga qoʻngʻiroq qilmoq, to phone: Akamga qoʻngʻiroq qildim (I called my brother).
• -ga savol bermoq, to ask someone a question.

Verbs with -ni for a definite object, where English sometimes needs a preposition:

• -ni kutmoq, to wait for: Sizni kutyapman (I am waiting for you).
• -ni sogʻinmoq, to miss: Uyimni sogʻindim (I miss my home).

Verbs with bilan: bilan gaplashmoq (talk with), bilan tanishmoq (get to know): Doʻstim bilan gaplashdim (I talked with my friend).

Two objects. A verb can govern two words at once. With soʻramoq, the person you ask takes -dan and the thing you ask about takes -ni: Undan yoʻlni soʻradim (I asked him the way). Compare savol bermoq, which puts the person in -ga: Oʻqituvchiga savol berdim (I asked the teacher a question). The meaning is close, but each verb keeps its own ending.

Some verbs have their own entries: -ga yoqmoq (to please) and -ga oʻxshamoq (to look like).