Biri kapıyı çaldı.
English: Someone knocked on the door.
- Language
- Turkish
- Level
- B1
- Unit
- Zamirler ve Ekleri
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
In Turkish, 'belgisiz zamirler' are indefinite pronouns. They refer to people or things in a general way, without specifying exactly who or what.
When to use it
Use belgisiz zamirler when you want to talk about people or things in a general or indefinite way. For example, when you don't know exactly who or what you are referring to, or when it is not important to be specific.
Key forms
- biri
- birisi
- bazı
- hiçbiri
- herkes
- kimse
- bazıları
Examples
Hiçbiri gelmedi.
English: None of them came.
Bazıları elma seviyor.
English: Some (of them) like apples.
Kimse evde yok.
English: No one is at home.
Herkes mutlu.
English: Everyone is happy.
Tips
- Pay attention to the difference between 'biri' (someone) and 'birisi' (someone), both are similar but 'birisi' is a bit more formal.
- 'Hiçbiri' is used for negative sentences.
- 'Kimse' is usually used in negative sentences in Turkish.
Exceptions and edge cases
- 'Kimse' can mean 'anyone' in positive questions, but 'no one' in negative sentences.