WHAT IS THE TURKISH PASSIVE VERB? / PASSIVE VOICE / PASSIVE MOOD
(TÜRKÇEDE EDİLGEN FİİL NEDİR?)
Turkish passive verbs are a type of verb that you will hear frequently in daily use in Turkish. In some sentences we do not use subjects. So we don’t know if it’s me, you, him, her, us, them. The subject doing the work is “unknown“. Only the work done (verb) is mentioned. But we do not specify who is doing that job, that action. So we don’t know who actually does the work. So why?
- Sometimes we don’t know the subject. In other words, something has happened, is happening or will happen, but we do not know who is doing it.
- Some events happen without anyone’s influence. It happens by itself. In such events, we use the verb in the passive form.
- Sometimes telling the subject is not so important. It is enough to say the verb. It doesn’t matter who does it. There is no need to talk about the subject.
- Sometimes we want to emphasize the verb rather than the subject. We make the verb passive to emphasize the verb, even if the subject is an important person.
TURKISH PASSIVE VERB EXAMPLES
(EDİLGEN FİİL ÖRNEKLERİ)
Literally, we can translate the above sentence with the passive verb like this: The glass was broken (by someone or spontaneously). In other words: “(Someone) broke the glass” or “Glass broke on its own”. But we don’t know who broke it. We don’t know by whom it was broken.
Literally, we can translate the above sentence with the passive verb like this: “The door is opening (by someone or spontaneously)”. In other words: “(Someone) is opening the door” or “The door opening spontaneously”. But we don’t know who is opening it. We don’t know by whom it is opening.
Literally, we can translate the above sentence with the passive verb like this: “The car will be washed (by someone)”. In other words: “(Someone) will wash the car”. This time we know it won’t be washed on its own cause someone should do this job. But we don’t know who will wash it. We don’t know by whom it will be washed.
HOW TO MAKE PASSIVE VERBS (EDİLGEN FİİL) IN TURKISH?
(PASSIVE VERB’S SUFFIXES)
You can make the Turkish passive verbs passive by using “-l” or “-n” suffixes at the end of the verbs.
- If the verb ends with a vowel, your job is simple. Use suffix: -n
- If the verb ends with a consonant, use one of the following suffixes according to vowel harmony: -ıl, -il, -ul, -ül
- If the verb ends with a consonant “-l”, use one of the following suffixes: -ın, -in, -un, -ün
TAKE NOTE!
We do not use objects in sentences with passive verbs. That’s why we don’t use the accusative case (belirtme hal eki -ı, -i, -u, -ü) that we use with objects.
- In the first sentence, the object is cam (glass). Due to the verb kırmak (to broke), there is an accusative case suffix -ı at the end of the object.
⇒Kim/ne kırdı? -Ben. (subject)
⇒Ben neyi kırdım? -Camı. (object)
- In the second sentence, the object replaces the subject. It’s like the glass itself did that job. So it’s seeming like subject. Therefore, we do not use the object and its suffix the accusative case, in sentences with passive verbs.
⇒Kim/ne kırıldı? -Cam (subject)
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PASSIVE AND REFLECTIVE VERBS IN TURKISH?
(EDİLGEN FİİL VE DÖNÜŞLÜ FİİL ARASINDAKİ FARK NEDİR?)
The suffixes we use in passive and reflexive verbs are the same! So what is the difference in meaning? How will we differentiate?
- We said that in reflexive verbs, the subject applies the verb on himself. In other words, the subject is doing something and only affects himself, not any other object. And we actually know who is doing the work.
- The situation is different for passive verbs. In passive verb sentences, the subject is unknown. The work has been done, but it is not clear who actually did it. Subject unknown or unspecified. So; you should check the context to understand the meaning.
In the first sentence, the verb is a Turkish passive voice (passive verb). In the second sentence, it is reflexive verb. How do we understand?
- In the 1. sentence, the room was prepared for the evening, but we don’t know who prepared it. That’s why the verb “hazırlandı” here is the passive verb.
- In the 2. sentence, the subject is Ayşe. Ayşe is preparing herself. Ayşe does the job. Who is preparing Ayşe? -She (the subject). So, the verb “hazırlandı” here is a reflexive verb.
You can click and read this lesson if you have questions about reflexive verbs in turkish (dönüşlü fiiller). If you have any question about Turkish passive verbs / passive voice (Türkçede edilgen fiiller) or any subject about Turkish language just let me know in the comment below. Btw we also share all Turkish grammar lessons, some daily usefull tips, Turkish idioms and more about Turkish language and Turkish culture on YouTube channel! You can watch all lessons for free now! and Just click here subscribe to don’t lose our videos. See you in another lesson!