-masdan / -may

Without Doing

Level 3

Stem + -masdan or -may = without doing, instead of doing: demasdan (without saying), nonushta qilmay (without having breakfast).

How It Works

Uzbek grammar calls these the negative forms of the converb (ravishdosh). The negative clause comes first and the main verb closes the sentence.

1. Building the form
Add the ending to the verb stem. Both contain -ma-:

  • de- → demasdan, demay (without saying)
  • qil- → qilmasdan, qilmay (without doing)
  • oʻyla- → oʻylamasdan, oʻylamay (without thinking)

The positive of these forms is -(i)b: Nonushta qilib keldim (I had breakfast and came), Nonushta qilmay keldim (I came without having breakfast).

2. Without
The most common meaning: the main action happens while the other does not. Oʻylamasdan javob berdi (He answered without thinking).

3. Instead of
When the two actions are alternatives, the meaning is instead of: Uyda oʻtirmay, sayrga chiqaylik (Instead of sitting at home, let’s go for a walk).

4. Look-alikes

  • -maslik is a noun (not doing), used with kerak or uchun, not to link two clauses.
  • -masa means if not.
  • -ma, -mang are negative commands.

Examples (6)

  1. Hech narsa demasdan chiqib ketdi.

    He left without saying anything.

    Word by Word: No thing not-saying going-out he-left.

  2. Nonushta qilmay keldim.

    I came without having breakfast.

    Word by Word: Breakfast not-making I-came.

  3. Oʻylamasdan javob berma.

    Don’t answer without thinking.

    Word by Word: Not-thinking answer don’t-give.

    The main verb can be a command; here it is the familiar negative command.

  4. Uyda oʻtirmay, sayrga chiqaylik.

    Instead of sitting at home, let’s go for a walk.

    Word by Word: Home-at not-sitting, walk-to let’s-go-out.

  5. U kitobni oxirigacha oʻqimasdan qaytarib berdi.

    She returned the book without reading it to the end.

    Word by Word: She book-(obj.) end-its-until not-reading returning gave.

  6. Bola qoʻrqmasdan itni siladi.

    The child stroked the dog without being afraid.

    Word by Word: Child not-fearing dog-(obj.) stroked.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the verb noun -maslik to link two actions.

    Hech narsa demaslik chiqib ketdi.
    Hech narsa demasdan chiqib ketdi.

    -maslik is a noun meaning not saying. To say without saying before another verb, use -masdan or -may.

  • Trying to negate the -(i)b form with emas (intended meaning: I came without having breakfast).

    Nonushta qilib emas keldim.
    Nonushta qilmay keldim.

    The -(i)b form has its own negatives, -may and -masdan. After an -(i)b form, emas only contrasts two ways of doing something, as in yugurib emas, yurib (walking, not running). It never means without.

  • Adding a person ending to -masdan.

    Nonushta qilmasdanim keldim.
    Nonushta qilmasdan keldim.

    -masdan and -may never change for person. The main verb, keldim, already says who acted.

How It Connects

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

-masdan / -mayLevel 3Without Doing

Learn This First

Builds on Linking Actions With -(i)b and Not Doing: -maslik.