Expressing Suggestions

01

Making Suggestions: 'Let's...' (-alım / -elim)

To suggest an action for a group you are part of, add the suffix -alım or -elim to the verb stem. The choice between the two depends on vowel harmony.

• If the last vowel in the verb stem is a, ı, o, or u, use -alım.
• If the last vowel in the verb stem is e, i, ö, or ü, use -elim.

For example, the stem of yapmak (to do) is yap-. The last vowel is 'a', so you add -alım to get yapalım (let's do). The stem of gitmek (to go) is git-. The last vowel is 'i', so you add -elim to get gidelim (let's go).

• Hadi sinemaya gidelim.

  Come on, let's go to the cinema.

• Bu akşam balık yiyelim.

  Let's eat fish this evening.

• Biraz dinlenelim.

  Let's rest a bit.

This same form is used to ask a question, like "Shall we...?". Simply add the question particle mı after the verb.

• Yarın buluşalım mı?

  Shall we meet tomorrow?

• Pencereyi açalım mı?

  Shall we open the window?

02

Offering to Help: 'Let me...' (-ayım / -eyim)

To offer to do something yourself, or to express an intention, add the suffix -ayım or -eyim to the verb stem. This form is used for the first-person singular ('I'). The vowel harmony rules are similar:

• If the last vowel in the verb stem is a, ı, o, or u, use -ayım.
• If the last vowel in the verb stem is e, i, ö, or ü, use -eyim.

If the verb stem ends in a vowel, a buffer letter y is inserted before the suffix. For example, the stem of beklemek (to wait) is bekle-, so it becomes bekleyeyim (let me wait).

• Ben sana yardım edeyim.

  Let me help you.

• Sana bir kahve yapayım.

  Let me make you a coffee.

To ask "Shall I...?", add the question particle mı after the verb.

• Kapıyı kapatayım mı?

  Shall I close the door?

• Onu arayayım mı?

  Shall I call him/her?

03

Negative Suggestions

To suggest not doing something ("let's not..."), add the negative suffix -ma or -me to the verb stem, followed by a buffer y, and then the appropriate optative ending.

The structure is: Verb Stem + -ma/-me + y + -alım/-elim<

• Bugün dışarı çıkmayalım.

  Let's not go out today.

• Acele etmeyelim.

  Let's not hurry.

The same structure applies to the "I" form ("let me not...").

• Seni daha fazla rahatsız etmeyeyim.

  Let me not disturb you any further.

• Bu konuyu açmayayım mı?

  Shall I not bring up this topic?