Lesson 13-Section 2 (turkish negative suffix quiz)
How to use the negative suffix in present tense in Turkish?
Question:
Why is the negative suffix “mi” used in “sevmiyorum”, “mu” in “koşmuyorum”, “mı” in “bakmıyorum”, and “mü” in “görmüyorum”? Explain based on the last vowel of the verb root.
Answer:
The choice of the negative suffix in Turkish depends on the last vowel of the verb root, following the major vowel harmony rule:
- “mi” is used for front vowels e, i.
- “mu” is used for back vowels o, u.
- “mı” is used for back vowels a, ı.
- “mü” is used for front vowels ö, ü.
Table with Examples:
| Verb (Root) | Last Vowel of Root | Negative Form | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| sev (love) | e (front vowel) | sevmiyorum | I am not loving. /i don’t like |
| koş (run) | o (back vowel) | koşmuyorum | I am not running./i don’t run |
| bak (look) | a (back vowel) | bakmıyorum | I am not looking./i don’t look |
| gör (see) | ö (front vowel) | görmüyorum | I am not seeing./i don’t see |
Summary:
The negative suffix changes to match the last vowel of the verb root, ensuring harmony between vowels in the word.