what is it?
The construction -DAn … -A kadar expresses a span — either in time or in space — running from a starting point to / until an end point. The source noun takes the ablative suffix -DAn (from), and the goal noun takes the dative suffix -(y)A followed by the postposition kadar (as far as / until). Both halves are required; neither can stand alone.
when to use it
Time spans. Use it to mark the beginning and end of a period: hours of the day, days of the week, seasons, etc. Example: saat dokuzdan beşe kadar (from nine o'clock to five).
Physical distances. Use it to describe movement or extent between two places: evden okula kadar (from home to school).
Any ordered sequence. The construction works for anything with a clear start and end — days, numbers, places, or events.
formation
The pattern is:
[source + -DAn] … [goal + -(y)A] kadar
Both suffixes follow standard vowel harmony. The ablative -DAn surfaces as -dan or -den (and -tan / -ten after voiceless consonants). The dative -(y)A surfaces as -a or -e (with a buffer -y- after a vowel). kadar is always written as a separate word — never attached to the goal noun.
| source noun | ablative form | goal noun | dative + kadar |
|---|---|---|---|
| sabah (morning) | sabahtan | akşam (evening) | akşama kadar |
| ev (home) | evden | okul (school) | okula kadar |
| pazartesi (Monday) | pazartesiden | cuma (Friday) | cumaya kadar |
| saat dokuz (nine o'clock) | saat dokuzdan | beş (five) | beşe kadar |
examples in context
common pitfalls
Missing ablative on the source. The source noun must carry -DAn. «sabah akşama kadar» is wrong; the correct form is «sabahtan akşama kadar».
Dropping kadar. «sabahtan akşama» is incomplete. The postposition kadar is not optional — without it the «to / until» meaning is lost.
Missing dative on the goal. kadar governs the dative, so the goal noun must take -(y)A. «akşam kadar» is wrong; it must be «akşama kadar».
Writing kadar joined to the noun. «okulakadar» is a spelling error. kadar is always a separate word: «okula kadar».
Three sentences, graded here. Nothing is saved and no account is needed.
Her gün saat dokuzdan ___ kadar çalışıyorum. (öğle)
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the word in parentheses.