What is se/sa In Turkish?
Do you know what is se/sa in Turkish? The suffix -se / -sa in Turkish has 2 different basic functions. One means “condition” (şart kipi) and the other means “wish, request” (dilek kipi). In this lesson, you’ll learn the meaning of “wish, request” from the functions of -se/-sa suffix. The next lesson will be about condition (şart kipi).
What is Dilek Kipi In Turkish? (What is se/sa In Turkish?)
This suffix is used with verbs. But it is a structure that has no time meaning. In general, it adds the meaning of “desire, wish” to the verb it is used with. Of course, apart from this, it is a very useful suffix used in many different contexts (dream, regret, indecision). In the title below, you can read all the contexts in which this suffix is used, as well as example sentences.
Why is the Suffix -se/-sa Dilek Kipi Used In Turkish? Example Sentences
1. While making a wish; It is used to want something to happen. You add it to the end of the verb you want to happen. When this suffix is used in this context, Turks often use the word “KEŞKE” (if only, i wish) in the sentence.
Keşke şimdi eve gitsem.
- I wish I went home now.
Şöyle güzel bir yemek yesem.
- I wish I had a nice meal.
2. You can benefit from this structure while dreaming. We already have wishes in our dreams.
Keşke astronot olsam.
- I wish I was an astronaut.
Uzaya çıksam.
- I wish I go to the space.
3. You can use it while you are undecided between at least two options. Or if you are torn between doing one verb or not, you can benefit from this suffix. Here, we construct a sentence by asking a question. For example, you are stuck between 2 verbs and you are thinking about which one to do. If you use this suffix at the end of both verbs, you can tell that you are thinking and trying to decide.
Pazara mı gitsem, evde mi otursam?
- Should I go to the market or sit at home?
Pizza mı yesek yoksa makarna mı yesek?
- Shall we eat pizza or eat pasta?
Dışarı çıksam mı çıkmasam mı?
- Should I go out or not?
4. You can use this construct to indicate that you don’t care if something happens. Here the same verb is repeated twice. The suffix -se / -sa is used at the end of the 1st verb.
Çalışmazsan çalışma! Aç kalan sen olacaksın.
- If you don’t work, don’t work! You will be the one left hungry.
Bozulursa bozulsun. Yeni bir telefon alırız.
- If it’s broken, it’s broken. We get a new phone.
5. -se / -sa is used to connect the two cases. But if the first situation happens, the second situation also happens. In other words, the condition for the realization of the second act is that the first act takes place first. So it is both a request and a condition. What do you need to do to use the suffix you learned in this sense? First verb+se/sa de/da second verb+se/sa. Let’s try to understand with examples.
Yaz gelse de dondurma yesem.
- I wish summer come then I’ll eat ice cream.
Bir an önce emekli olsanız da rahatlasanız.
- Wish you retire as soon as possible, then you’ll relax.
6. This suffix is used in the meanings of SADECE (only), maximum, minimum. To use it in this sense, you repeat the same verb 2 times and place one of the appropriate se/sa suffixes at the end of both.
Bu iğrenç yemeği, bizim evde yapsa yapsa Emine yapar. (Ancak, sadece Emine yapar. Anlıyoruz ki o iğrenç yemeği sadece Emine yapmış olabilir.)
- Only Emine can cook a disgusting dish like that.
Bu hayatta beni sevse sevse annem sever. (Hiç kimse onu sevmiyor. Sadece annesi onu seviyor.)
- Only my mom loves me in this life.
Bu araba Adana’ya kadar yaksa yaksa 20 litre benzin yakar. (Araba maksimum 20 litre benzin yakar/harcar.)
- The car will burn maksimum 20 liters of gas.
7. This construct is used to say “in any case, in either case”. Again, the two situations (two verbs) mentioned are written. Se/sa suffixes are used at the end of both. The conjunction de/da is used after both.
Sen beni sevsen de sevmesen de ben seni seviyorum.
- I love you whether you love me or not.
Biz okusak da dinlesek de bu dili anlayamayız.
- We cannot understand this language, whether we read it or listen to it.
8. When expressing regret, se/sa suffixes are used at the end of the verb. It is also used with the word “KEŞKE” (if only, i wish) at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. By the way, you know that regret is about the past. People feel remorse for an event that happened in the past. Therefore, you should not forget to use the past tense suffix here. We connect the two suffixes with the kaynaştırma harfi “y”. At the end, we add the personal suffix. “sa+y+dı+m / se+y+di+m”.
Çok kaba konuştum. Keşke onu kırmasaydım.
- I spoke very rudely. I wish I hadn’t broken it.
Sabah çok geç uyandınız. Keşke gece geç uyumasaydınız.
- You woke up very late in the morning. I wish you didn’t sleep late at night.
Rules
There are only two shape of this suffix as you see: se sa. You’ll choice the right suffix by checking 2 way vowel harmony (büyük ünlü uyumu). If the last vowel of verb is “a, ı, o or u“ the right suffix is -sa. If the last vowel of verb is “e, i, ö or ü“ the right suffix is -se. If you still confused with vowel harmony, click here and watch and read the vowel harmony lesson.
Quiz
Now look at the photo below and find the sentence that contain the suffix se/sa. Then, find out for which of the above titles can be an example (in which sense it is used). Write your answer below. You know what is se/sa in Turkish? anymore:)
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