Language
Turkish
Level
B2
Unit
Fiil kipleri ve çatılar
Practice types
0

What this grammar point covers

The passive voice in Turkish (-edilgen çatı) is used when the subject of the sentence is not doing the action, but is affected by it. The action is done by someone else, or the doer is not mentioned.

When to use it

Use the passive voice in Turkish when you want to focus on the action or the object, not the person doing it. It's common in news, instructions, and when the doer is unknown or unimportant.

Key forms

  • Verb stem + -il/-ıl/-ul/-ül + tense/person endings
  • Examples: yapılmak, görülmek, yazılmak

Examples

Kapı kapatıldı.

English: The door was closed.

Mektup yazıldı.

English: The letter was written.

Çocuklar okula götürüldü.

English: The children were taken to school.

Yemek hazırlandı.

English: The food was prepared.

Soru cevaplandı.

English: The question was answered.

Tips

  • Remember to use the correct passive suffix (-il, -ıl, -ul, -ül) depending on the last vowel of the verb stem.
  • The doer of the action is usually not mentioned in passive sentences.
  • Do not use 'tarafından' (by) unless you really need to show who did the action.

Exceptions and edge cases

  • Some verbs are rarely used in the passive form.
  • If the verb stem ends with 'l', only the passive suffix is added without repeating 'l' (e.g., 'bulunmak').

Verify this grammar point in Turkish reference sources

Cross-check the rule and examples in established native references. Each link opens in a new tab.

Word of the Day

Today's hand-picked vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation page for Turkish. Bookmark this section — it refreshes every day.

Vocabulary · Turkish · B2

kapasite

Open page

Grammar · Turkish · B1

zamirler

Open page

Pronunciation · Turkish

Kısa Ünlüler - /a/

Open page

Keep exploring

Previous ünlemler B1 · Sayılar ve Ünlemler Next Şart kipinin geniş kullanımı B2 · Fiil kipleri ve çatılar

Play SmartWords games

Six word games built around our real vocabulary — free in the browser, no install.

Open the game hub →
  • Word Sling illustration

    Word Sling

    Match the center word under time pressure and keep the combo alive.

    Play now →
  • Word Gate illustration

    Word Gate

    Fly through the correct gate before the speed ramps up.

    Play now →
  • Word Ninja illustration

    Word Ninja

    Slice the goal-language words, avoid the main-language decoy, and chase the announced bonus target.

    Play now →
  • Word Zip illustration

    Word Zip

    Trace a single path across the board, hit each letter anchor in order, and fill every open cell.

    Play now →
  • Word Oddity illustration

    Word Oddity

    Pick the word that doesn't belong from a topic-driven set — every tap reveals all four meanings and images so the round becomes a flash-card too.

    Play now →
  • Word Memory illustration

    Word Memory

    Flip and match goal-language words to their main-language meaning before your lives run out.

    Play now →