Turkish verbs and the cases they take
Sixty verbs grouped by the ending they need, each with a short example.
In suffixes, capital letters change with the word:
I = ı/i/u/ü · A = a/e · D = d/t · C = c/ç
In Turkish the verb decides which ending the word next to it takes. You do not choose a preposition: you learn that inanmak goes with -(y)A, korkmak with -DAn and evlenmek with ile / -(y)lA. This list groups sixty verbs by that ending, so you can learn each verb together with its case.
Every row gives the meaning, the ending and one short example, with the ending highlighted. The note at the top of each group shows where Turkish differs from your language, because that is where most mistakes come from.
Verbs with -(y)I (accusative)
Many of these verbs take a preposition in English (wait *for*, listen *to*, look *for*, worry *about*). In Turkish they take a plain object, and *-(y)I* appears only when the object is definite.
| Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| beklemek | to wait for | Seni otobüs durağında bekliyorum.I am waiting for you at the bus stop. |
| sevmek | to love, to like | Annem bu şarkıyı çok seviyor.My mother loves this song. |
| özlemek | to miss | Ailemi çok özlüyorum.I miss my family a lot. |
| aramak | to call (by phone); to look for | Her akşam annemi arıyorum.I call my mother every evening. |
| unutmak | to forget | Şemsiyemi evde unuttum.I forgot my umbrella at home. |
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Not sure which of these verbs you already use correctly? Take the free level test, then book a free trial lesson with Ceylan, a native Turkish teacher, and practise them in a real conversation.