iyelik ekleri grammar in Turkish

Language: Turkish
Level: A2
Unit: İsimler ve zamirler
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

In Turkish, 'iyelik ekleri' are suffixes added to nouns to show possession, like 'my', 'your', 'his/her', etc. They are attached directly to the end of the noun.

When to use it

Use these suffixes when you want to say that something belongs to someone. For example, to say 'my book', 'your house', or 'their car' in Turkish.

Key forms

benim: -im/-ım/-um/-üm (kitabım)
senin: -in/-ın/-un/-ün (evin)
onun: -i/-ı/-u/-ü (arabası)
bizim: -imiz/-ımız/-umuz/-ümüz (okulumuz)
sizin: -iniz/-ınız/-unuz/-ünüz (defteriniz)
onların: -leri/-ları (çocukları)

Examples

Annem evde.

English: My mother is at home.

Arabamız yeni.

English: Our car is new.

Kediniz çok tatlı.

English: Your cat is very cute.

Çantası masada.

English: His/Her bag is on the table.

Arkadaşlarım burada.

English: My friends are here.

Tips

Remember to use vowel harmony when adding the suffix.
Do not use a separate word for possession; just add the suffix to the noun.
Pay attention to the difference between singular and plural possessive suffixes.

Exceptions and edge cases

For some words ending with a vowel, only the consonant of the suffix is added (e.g., 'anne' → 'annem').
With plural nouns, the possessive suffix comes after the plural suffix (çocuklarım = my children).