Teaching “E kadar / A kadar” (Until, Up to) in Turkish

Overall Concept: It is used to express a limit in time, place, or quantity. It corresponds to the English words “until,” “up to,” “as far as.”

The choice between -e kadar and -a kadar depends on vowel harmony, attached to the preceding word.

Step 1: The Basic Rule & Vowel Harmony

Explain that kadar is a postposition (comes after the word it relates to). It needs the appropriate case suffix (-e or -a) before it, following Major Vowel Harmony.

• If the last vowel of the preceding word is a, ı, o, u → Use -a kadar

• If the last vowel of the preceding word is e, i, ö, ü → Use -e kadar

Formula: NOUN + (-e / -a) + kadar

Examples:

• okul (school) → last vowel u → okula kadar (until school / as far as the school)

• ev (house) → last vowel e → eve kadar (until home / as far as the house)

• saat beş (five o’clock) → last vowel of beş is e → saat beşe kadar (until 5 o’clock)

Step 2: The Three Main Usages with Examples

Teach the three contexts separately. The structure is the same, but the meaning shifts slightly.

A. Time: “Until” (A point in time)

This is the most common use. It marks the endpoint of a time period.

• Derse kadar çalışacağım. (I will study until the lesson.)

• Akşama kadar bekledik. (We waited until the evening.)

• Yaza kadar para biriktiriyorum. (I am saving money until summer.)

B. Place: “Up to, As far as” (A point in space)

This shows a physical limit or destination of movement.

• Durağa kadar yürüdüm. (I walked as far as the bus stop.)

• Buraya kadar geldin, içeri gir. (You came all the way here (up to here), come inside.)

• Denize kadar koştular. (They ran all the way to the sea.)

C. Quantity & Degree: “Up to” (An amount, level, or person)

This sets a limit in terms of number, price, or even includes people.

• Yüz kişiye kadar davetli var. (There are up to one hundred guests.)

• 50 liraya kadar ödeyebilirim. (I can pay up to 50 liras.)

• Çocuklara kadar herkes biliyor. (Everyone knows, even the children. / right down to the children.)

Step 3: Important Nuances & Common Phrases

This is where you help them sound more natural and avoid common mistakes.

1. With Verbs (Actions): You cannot attach -e/a kadar directly to a verb. You must use the verb + -ene/-ana kadar structure. This is a future lesson, but mention it now to prevent errors.

• Wrong: Gel kadar bekledim.

• Right: Gel**ene** kadar bekledim. (I waited until you/he/she came.)

2. “Buraya Kadar” as a Discourse Marker: The phrase “Buraya kadar” (Up to this point) is often used to summarize or transition in speech.

• Buraya kadar her şeyi anladınız mı? (Did you understand everything so far?)

3. “O kadar” for Emphasis: O kadar (that much) is a very common phrase used for emphasis, not as a limit.

• O kadar yorgunum ki… (I am so tired that…)

• O kadar pahalı değil. (It’s not that expensive.)

Step 4: Practice & Drills for Students

Give them exercises to solidify the concept.

A. Fill in the blanks with -e kadar or -a kadar:

1. Sabah___ (morning) kadar uyudum.

2. Kütüphane___ (library) kadar gidelim mi?

3. Siz___ (you – plural) kadar iyi Türkçe konuşamıyorum. (Hint: quantity/degree)
   *(Answers: 1. -a, 2. -e, 3. -e)*

B. Translate into Turkish:

1. I will be at home until Friday. (Cuma)

2. Let’s walk up to the park. (park)

3. You can take up to three books. (üç kitap)
   (Sample Answers: 1. Cumaya kadar evde olacağım. 2. Parka kadar yürüyelim. 3. Üç kitaba kadar alabilirsiniz.)

C. Identify the Type: Is the usage Time (T), Place (P), or Quantity (Q)?

1. Ankara’ya kadar otobüsle gittik. (P)

2. Gece yarısına kadar parti devam etti. (T)

3. Büyükannelerine kadar tüm aile orada. (Q)

Teaching Tip:

Use a simple visual timeline or a map on the board. Draw a line and mark points like “9:00,” “12:00,” “school,” “home.” Write sentences with -e/a kadar to connect the dots, showing how it defines the endpoint. This makes the abstract concept of a “limit” very concrete.