Suggestions with 'sana / sene' — Turkish Grammar

The suffixes - and - are attached to a verb root to make a suggestion or a gentle, persuasive command. This form is directed at "you" (singular) and can often be translated as why don't you...? or come on and.... It is softer and more informal than a direct imperative.

Choosing Between -sana and -sene

The choice between the two suffixes depends on the last vowel in the verb root, following the rules of vowel harmony.

If the last vowel of the verb root is a back vowel (a, ı, o, u), you add -.

Baksana, yağmur yağıyor.
Look, it's raining.
Biraz sussana, duyamıyorum.
Why don't you be quiet for a bit, I can't hear.

If the last vowel of the verb root is a front vowel (e, i, ö, ü), you add -.

Pencereyi kapatsana, soğuk oldu.
Why don't you close the window, it got cold.
Bize de anlatsana.
Why don't you tell us too?

Usage and Tone

While this form is a suggestion, it can also express a degree of friendly impatience or strong encouragement. It is less of a neutral question and more of a prompt for action. For example, is a direct command (come), whereas is a persuasive invitation (come on, why don't you come?).

Hadi, daha hızlı yürüsene.
Come on, why don't you walk faster.
Şu kitabı bana versene.
Could you just give me that book?

Plural Suggestions: -sanıza / -senize

To make a suggestion to a group of people ("you all"), or to be more polite to a single person, use the suffixes - and -. The same vowel harmony rules apply.

Use - after back vowels (a, ı, o, u).

Çocuklar, içeriye gelsenize.
Kids, why don't you all come inside.

Use - after front vowels (e, i, ö, ü).

Lütfen otursanıza.
Please, why don't you all have a seat.

Negative Suggestions

To suggest that someone should stop an action, use the negative form. This is created by adding the negative suffix - or - to the verb root before adding - or -. This often translates to don't do that! or stop doing that!

The suffix - is always followed by -.

Oraya dokunmasana!
Don't touch that!