Verbs: Imperative Mood

01

Second-Person Commands (To 'You')

This is the most common imperative form, used when speaking directly to someone. It differs for singular/informal 'you' (sen) and plural/formal 'you' (siz).

Singular/Informal (Sen)

The positive command is simply the verb stem, which is the infinitive form without the -mek or -mak ending.

• Buraya gel!

  Come here!

• Kitabı oku!

  Read the book!

For a negative command, add the negative suffix -me or -ma to the verb stem, following 2-way vowel harmony.

• Oraya gitme!

  Don't go there!

• Bunu yapma!

  Don't do this!

Plural/Formal (Siz)

This form is used when addressing a group of people, or to show respect to a single person (e.g., an elder, a stranger, or a superior).

To form the positive, add the suffix -in, -ın, -un, or -ün to the verb stem, following 4-way vowel harmony. If the verb stem ends in a vowel, a buffer letter 'y' is inserted before the suffix.

• Lütfen oturun.

  Please sit down.

• Bu formu doldurun.

  Fill out this form.

• Biraz bekleyin.

  Wait a little. (from beklemek, stem ends in a vowel)

To form the negative, first add the negative suffix -me/-ma to the stem. Then, add the buffer 'y' and the plural/formal suffix.

• Koridorda koşmayın.

  Don't run in the hallway.

• Lütfen sigara içmeyin.

  Please don't smoke.

02

Third-Person Commands (Let...)

This form expresses a command, wish, or instruction directed at a third party ('he', 'she', 'it', or 'they'). It is often translated as "let..." or "have someone do...".

Singular (o)<

Add the suffix -sin, -sın, -sun, or -sün to the verb stem.

• Ali yarın beni arasın.

  Let Ali call me tomorrow.

• Odasını toplasın.

  Let him/her clean his/her room.

The negative is formed by adding -me/-ma before the third-person suffix.

• Toplantıya geç kalmasın.

  Let him/her not be late for the meeting.

Plural (Onlar)

Add the suffix -sinler or -sınlar to the verb stem.

• Çocuklar bahçede oynasınlar.

  Let the children play in the garden.

• Misafirler istedikleri zaman gelsinler.

  Let the guests come whenever they want.

The negative is formed by adding -me/-ma before the plural suffix.

• Onlar bu konuda endişelenmesinler.

  Let them not worry about this issue.

03

First-Person Suggestions (Let's... / Shall I...?)

This form, sometimes called the optative mood, functions as a suggestion or a proposal for action involving the speaker.

Singular (Ben)

This form is used to mean "Let me..." or to ask "Shall I...?". Add the suffix -eyim or -ayım to the verb stem. A buffer 'y' is used if the stem ends in a vowel.

• Pencereyi açayım mı?

  Shall I open the window?

• Sana bir kahve yapayım.

  Let me make you a coffee.

Plural (Biz)

This is the common "Let's..." form. Add the suffix -elim or -alım to the verb stem. A buffer 'y' is used if the stem ends in a vowel.

• Hadi sinemaya gidelim.

  Come on, let's go to the cinema.

• Bu akşam evde kalalım.

  Let's stay home this evening.

For the negative "Let's not...", add the negative suffix -me/-ma before the suggestion suffix.

• Bugün tartışmayalım.

  Let's not argue today.