Usage of ”since” in Turkish

Turkish Grammar: How to Use “Since” (Den Beri / Dan Beri) – 

What Will You Learn in This Lesson?

In this lesson, you will learn:
✅ The difference between “den beri” and “dan beri” (since/for) in Turkish.
✅ How to form sentences with “since” in Turkish (B1-B2 level examples).
✅ Why vowel harmony changes “den beri” to “dan beri”.
✅ 20 practical examples with translations.

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Lesson number 102

1. Understanding “Den Beri / Dan Beri” (Since/For)

In Turkish, “den beri” or “dan beri” means “since” or “for” in English. The choice between “den” and “dan” depends on vowel harmony rules.

Rule:

If the last vowel of the word is a, ı, o, u → Use “-dan beri”

If the last vowel of the word is e, i, ö, ü → Use “-den beri”

Examples:

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2. Why Do We Use “Den Beri / Dan Beri”?

It indicates the starting point of an action that continues until now.

Similar to English “since” (for a specific time) or “for” (for a duration).

More Examples:

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3. Common Mistakes & Tips

❌ Wrong: “Okulden beri” (if the word ends with a back vowel: a, ı, o, u)
✅ Correct: “Okuldan beri” (because “okul” has “u”)

❌ Wrong: “İştan beri” (if the word ends with a front vowel: e, i, ö, ü)
✅ Correct: “İşten beri” (because “iş” has “i”)

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4. 20 Example Sentences (B1-B2 Level)

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Q: Why do we say “okuldan beri” (since school) but “geldiğimden beri” (since I came)? Does the “-den beri” suffix change for verbs vs. nouns?

A:

Yes! The choice between “-dan beri” and “-den beri” depends on:

1. Vowel Harmony (for nouns/adjectives)

2. Verb Tense + Suffix Rules (for verbs).

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1. With NOUNS (e.g., “okul”, “sabah”)

• Follow vowel harmony based on the noun’s last vowel:

  • Back vowels (a, ı, o, u) → “-dan beri”

    • Okuldan beri (since school) → “u” is a back vowel.

    • Sabahdan beri (since morning) → “a” is a back vowel.

  • Front vowels (e, i, ö, ü) → “-den beri”

    • İşten beri (since work) → “i” is a front vowel.

Examples (Nouns):

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2. With VERBS (e.g., “gelmek”, “gitmek”)

Verbs use “-den beri” because:

• They take the -dİğİ suffix (past participle) first, which always ends with a front vowel (i/ı).

  • Geldiğim**den beri (since I came) → “-diğim” has “i”.

  • Gittiğin**den beri (since you left) → “-tiğin” has “i”.

Why?

• The verb’s tense marker (-di/-dı/-ti/-tı) merges with “-ğİ” (possessive suffix), creating a front vowel (i/ı).

• This forces “-den beri” due to vowel harmony.

Examples (Verbs):

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Key Rule:

• Nouns: Follow the noun’s last vowel (okuldan, işten).

• Verbs: Always use “-den beri” after -dİğİ forms (geldiğimden, gittiğinden).

Questions for students (about since in Turkish)

 Verb-Based Questions (Always “-den beri”)

1. Türkiye’ye gel…………….. kaç Türkçe kelime öğren….?
   (How many Turkish words have you learned since you came to Turkey?)

2. Onu gör………… beri hayat… değişti….?
   (Has your life changed since you saw him/her?)

3. Evlen……….. … kaç sene geç…..?
   (How many years have passed since you got married?)

4. İşe gir……….. …dünya… farklı mı?
   (Has your world been different since you started the job?)

5. Araba kullan……….. …. hiç kaza yaptın ….?
   (Have you had any accidents since you started driving?)

6. Bu kitabı oku…….. beri uyuyamıyor…..
   (I haven’t been able to sleep since I read this book.)

7. Sigarayı bıraktığ…….. beri daha sağlıklı hissediyor musun?
   (Do you feel healthier since you quit smoking?)

8. Onunla tanış……….. beri mutlu …. sun?
   (Have you been happy since you met him/her?)

9. Yeni ev taşın……… beri komşularını gör…. mü?
   (Have you seen your neighbors since you moved to the new house?)

10. Telefonunu değiştir………. beri sorun yaşa…. mı?
    (Have you had any problems since you changed your phone?)

Click for Turkish grammar quiz about since

 

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B. Noun-Based Questions (Follow Vowel Harmony)

11. Üniversite…….. beri çalışıyor musun?
    (Have you been working since university?)

12. Çocukluk…….. beri en sevdiğin yemek nedir?
    (What’s your favorite food since childhood?)

13. Sabah…….. beri hiçbir şey yemedim.
    (I haven’t eaten anything since morning.)

14. Yaz…….. beri tatile çıkmadın mı?
    (Haven’t you gone on vacation since summer?)

15. O gün…….. beri onu görmedim.
    (I haven’t seen him/her since that day.)

16. İlkokul…….. beri aynı arkadaşların var mı?
    (Do you have the same friends since elementary school?)

17. Hafta sonu…….. ….hasta mısın?
    (Have you been sick since the weekend?)

18. 2020………….kaç kitap okudun?
    (How many books have you read since 2020?)

19. Doğum günün…….. ….. parteni düşünüyorum.
    (I’ve been thinking about your party since your birthday.)

20. Tatil…….. ….. dinlen……mi?
    (Have you rested since the holiday?)

Click for quiz

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C. Mixed Questions (Nouns + Verbs)

21. İstanbul’a taşın……….. beri hava kirliliği art… mı?
    (Has air pollution increased since you moved to Istanbul?)

22. Okul…….. … İngilizce çalışıyor ……..?
    (Have you been studying English since school?)

23. Köpeğin öl……….. .üzgün …….?
    (Have you been sad since your dog died?)

24. Yurt dışına çık…….. … kaç ülke gezdi…?
    (How many countries have you visited since abroad?)

Click for quiz