-ar ekan

While, As: -ar Ekan

Level 5

-ar ekan means while or as in writing and stories: Uyga qaytar ekan, doʻstini koʻrdi (While returning home, he saw his friend).

How It Works

1. Building it
verb + -(a)r + ekan:

  • qayt- → qaytar ekan (while returning)
  • gapir- → gapirar ekan (as he spoke)
  • oʻqi- → oʻqir ekan (while reading)

Add a personal ending when needed: oʻqir ekanman, oʻqir ekansan, oʻqir ekanmiz, oʻqir ekansiz.

2. Two actions at once
The -ar ekan clause sets a background action, and the main clause tells what happened during it: Kitobni oʻqir ekanman, bolaligimni esladim (As I read the book, I remembered my childhood). It is typical of stories and written reports. In speech, people more often say -ganda or -(a)yotib.

3. Spelling
Ekan is normally written apart: qaytar ekan. When the e drops in speech, the parts join: bilarkan (bilar ekan).

4. Other jobs of -(a)r ekan

  • At the end of a sentence it means it turns out (someone does this regularly): U har kuni ertalab yugurar ekan (It turns out he runs every morning).
  • Before a request it can mean since: Ketar ekansiz, eshikni yopib keting (Since you're leaving, close the door behind you).

For actions that happen one after another, use -(i)b instead.

Examples (6)

  1. Uyga qaytar ekan, doʻstini koʻrdi.

    While returning home, he saw his friend.

    Word by Word: Home-to returning being, friend-his-ACC saw.

  2. Yoʻlda davom etar ekan, turli xayollarga bordi.

    As he went on his way, all sorts of thoughts came to him.

    Word by Word: Road-in continuing being, various thoughts-to went.

  3. Kitobni oʻqir ekanman, bolaligimni esladim.

    As I read the book, I remembered my childhood.

    Word by Word: Book-ACC reading being-I, childhood-my-ACC remembered.

  4. Ustoz gapirar ekan, hamma jim tinglardi.

    As the teacher spoke, everyone listened in silence.

    Word by Word: Teacher speaking being, everyone silent was-listening.

  5. Ketar ekansiz, eshikni yopib keting.

    Since you're leaving, close the door behind you.

    Word by Word: Leaving being-you, door-ACC closing go.

    Before a request, -ar ekan means since.

  6. U har kuni ertalab yugurar ekan.

    It turns out he runs every morning.

    Word by Word: He every day morning runs it-turns-out.

    At the end of a sentence, ekan means it turns out, not while.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -ar ekan for actions that happen one after another (meant: he came home and then ate).

    Uyga kelar ekan, ovqatlandi.
    Uyga kelib, ovqatlandi.

    Kelar ekan means "while he was coming", so it says he ate on the way. For "and then", use -(i)b.

  • Joining ekan to the verb while keeping its e.

    Uyga qaytarekan, doʻstini koʻrdi.
    Uyga qaytar ekan, doʻstini koʻrdi.

    Write ekan as a separate word. The parts join only when the e drops: qaytarkan.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-ar ekanLevel 5While, As: -ar Ekan

Learn This First

Builds on It Turns Out: ekan and Probable Future -(a)r and -mas.

Words in This Pattern

ekan