işteş çatılar grammar in Turkish

Language: Turkish
Level: B1
Unit: Çatı ve Fiil Yapıları
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

İşteş çatılar are Turkish verb forms that show an action is done together, mutually, or with each other. These verbs often describe actions where more than one person is involved.

When to use it

Use işteş çatılar when the action involves two or more people doing something together or to each other, like talking, meeting, or fighting.

Key forms

Verb stem + -iş-/-ış-/-uş-/-üş- + tense/person ending
Examples: konuşmak → konuş-uş-mak, bulmak → bul-uş-mak, dövmek → döv-üş-mek

Examples

Çocuklar parkta oynuştular.

English: The children played together in the park.

Arkadaşlarla buluştuk.

English: We met with friends.

İki adam kavga etti ve dövüştüler.

English: Two men fought and hit each other.

Öğrenciler sınıfta konuştular.

English: The students talked (to each other) in the classroom.

Tips

Not every verb can take the işteş form. Only verbs where the action can be mutual or done together can use this.
The işteş suffix changes (-iş-, -ış-, -uş-, -üş-) depending on vowel harmony.
Adding the işteş suffix changes the meaning to 'each other' or 'together.'

Exceptions and edge cases

Some verbs look like they have the işteş suffix but are not actually işteş (e.g., 'görüşmek' can mean 'to meet' but also 'to discuss').
Some verbs change meaning completely when the işteş form is used.