Consonant Lenition

01

The p → b Change

When a word ends in -p, it changes to -b before a vowel-initial suffix.

• Bu bir kitap.

  This is a book.

• Kitabı okuyorum.

  I am reading the book.

• Mutfakta yeni bir dolap var.

  There is a new cupboard in the kitchen.

• Dolabı kim boyadı?

  Who painted the cupboard?

02

The ç → c Change

A word ending in -ç changes to -c when a suffix starting with a vowel is added.

• Bu ağaç çok yaşlı.

  This tree is very old.

• Kedi ağaca tırmandı.

  The cat climbed the tree.

• Doktor bana bir ilaç verdi.

  The doctor gave me a medicine.

• İlacı sabah almalısın.

  You must take the medicine in the morning.

03

The t → d Change

Words ending in -t will change the final consonant to -d before a vowel suffix.

• Bana bir kağıt ver.

  Give me a piece of paper.

• Kağıdı masaya koydum.

  I put the paper on the table.

• Bu yemeğin tat profili çok zengin.

  The taste profile of this food is very rich.

• Yemeğin tadı harika.

  The taste of the food is wonderful.

04

The k → ğ Change

The most common change is from -k to -ğ. The letter ğ (yumuşak g) typically lengthens the preceding vowel and is not pronounced as a hard 'g' sound.

• Parkta bir köpek var.

  There is a dog in the park.

• Köpeği her gün gezdiririm.

  I walk the dog every day.

• O küçük bir çocuk.

  He is a small child.

• Çocuğun oyuncağı kayboldu.

  The child's toy is lost.

05

Common Exceptions

This rule does not apply to all words. The main exceptions are:

1. Most single-syllable words: Many words with only one syllable do not undergo consonant lenition.

• Lütfen sütü dolaba koy.

  Please put the milk in the fridge. (from süt, not südü)

• Saçı çok uzun.

  Her hair is very long. (from saç, not sacı)

2. Words of foreign origin: Many loanwords, particularly from Arabic, Persian, and French, do not follow this rule.

• Hukuku seviyorum.

  I love law. (from hukuk, not hukuğu)

• Bu milleti birleştiren nedir?

  What unites this nation? (from millet, not milledi)

3. Proper nouns: The spelling of names for people, places, or brands does not change. An apostrophe is used to separate the name from the suffix. However, the pronunciation often follows the softening rule.

• Mehmet'e bir e-posta gönderdim.

  I sent an email to Mehmet. (spelled with t, but often pronounced "Mehmed'e")

• Zonguldak'a ne zaman varırız?

  When do we arrive in Zonguldak? (spelled with k, but pronounced "Zonguldağ'a")