Connective Suffix 'ip, ıp, up, üp' — Turkish Grammar

The suffix '-ip/ıp/up/üp' is a connective particle that links two or more verbs performed by the same subject. It creates a more fluid connection than simply using (and), often implying a sequence of actions ("... and then ...") or describing the manner in which the main action is performed.

The verb that takes this suffix does not get marked for tense or person. All grammatical information about tense, mood, and the subject is carried by the final verb in the clause.

Forming the Suffix

The suffix follows four-way vowel harmony based on the last vowel of the verb stem.

If the last vowel is a or ı, use -ıp.

Kalkıp gitti.
He got up and left.

If the last vowel is e or i, use -ip.

Gelip beni gördü.
He came and saw me.

If the last vowel is o or u, use -up.

Durup dinledi.
He stopped and listened.

If the last vowel is ö or ü, use -üp.

Gülüp konuştu.
She smiled and talked.

If the verb stem ends in a vowel, a buffer letter -y- is inserted before the suffix.

Yemeği yiyip yattı.
He ate the meal and went to bed.
Arabayı bekleyip bindik.
We waited for the car and got in.

Connecting Sequential Actions

The most common function of this suffix is to show a sequence of events, where one action is completed before the next one begins. This is similar to saying "... and then ...".

Eve gelip yemek yedim.
I came home and (then) ate food.
Mektubu yazıp postaladı.
She wrote the letter and (then) mailed it.
Kapıyı kapatıp anahtarı çevirdi.
He closed the door and (then) turned the key.

You can chain multiple actions together. Only the final verb is conjugated.

Sabah kalkıp duş alıp kahvaltı ettim.
In the morning I got up, took a shower, and had breakfast.
Markete gidip alışveriş yapıp eve döndü.
He went to the market, did the shopping, and returned home.

Describing the Manner of an Action

This suffix can also be used to describe how the main action of the sentence is performed. In English, this is often translated using an "-ing" verb or an adverb.

Koşup geldi.
He came running. (Literally: He ran and came.)
Gülümseyip selam verdi.
She greeted (me) smilingly. (Literally: She smiled and greeted.)

Negation

To negate the verb with this suffix, add the negative suffix '-ma/-me' to the verb stem first, followed by the buffer '-y-', and then the connective suffix. The structure is: Verb Stem + -ma/-me + -y- + -ıp/-ip.

Derse çalışmayıp bütün gün uyudu.
He didn't study and slept all day instead.
Kahve içmeyip çay istedi.
He didn't drink coffee and wanted tea instead.

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s Turkish course

5 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 46. A few of them, with the words “Connective Suffix 'ip, ıp, up, üp'” is about in bold:

Gidip mutfağa bir göz atın. Çok küçük.
Go and check out (pl.) the kitchen. It is so small.
Lesson 322

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