what is it?
A converb is a non-finite verb form that links two actions without becoming a full clause of its own. Instead of repeating a subject and a tense marker for every verb, Turkish attaches a converb suffix to all but the last verb in a chain. The final verb carries tense, person, and number for the whole sentence. The four converbs at this level are -(y)Ip (sequential action), -(y)ArAk (manner or simultaneous action), -mAdAn (without doing), and -(y)A…-(y)A (repeated or continuous action).
when to use it?
-(y)Ip — sequence. Use it when one action is completed and then another begins. The two actions follow each other in time and share the same subject. It replaces «and then» between verbs.
-(y)ArAk — manner or simultaneous action. Use it to describe how the main action is performed, or to show that two actions happen at the same time. It answers the question «how?» or «while doing what?». Both actions share the same subject.
-mAdAn — without doing. Use it to say that the main action happens in the absence of another action. It is not ordinary negation; it is an adverbial meaning «without doing X».
-(y)A…-(y)A — repeated or sustained action. Use it by doubling the same converb form to convey that an action is done repeatedly or continuously while the main action takes place. It often adds an expressive, emphatic tone.
formation
All converb suffixes attach directly to the verb stem. Vowel harmony governs the vowels in each suffix. The buffer consonant y is inserted when the stem ends in a vowel.
| suffix | after consonant | after vowel | meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| -(y)Ip | gel → gelip | oku → okuyup | and then (sequence) |
| -(y)ArAk | gel → gelerek | oku → okuyarak | by/while doing (manner) |
| -mAdAn | gel → gelmeden | oku → okumadan | without doing |
| -(y)A…-(y)A | koş → koşa koşa | söyle → söyleye söyleye | doing repeatedly |
Vowel harmony reminder. The vowels in the suffixes follow four-way harmony: -(y)Ip alternates as -ip / -ıp / -up / -üp; -(y)ArAk as -erek / -arak; -mAdAn as -meden / -madan. The repeated converb -(y)A alternates as -e / -a.
No tense or person on the converb. The converb form is always bare — never add a tense suffix or a personal ending to it. Only the final main verb in the chain is inflected.
examples in context
common pitfalls
Using «ve» instead of a converb. Saying Eve geldim ve yemek yedim is grammatically possible but unnatural for chained actions with the same subject. Turkish strongly prefers the converb chain Eve gelip yemek yedim.
Mixing up -(y)Ip and -(y)ArAk. -(y)Ip marks a completed step before the next action; -(y)ArAk marks the manner or simultaneous condition of the main action. Gülerek konuştu means she spoke while smiling (manner). Gülüp konuştu means she laughed and then spoke (sequence). The meaning changes significantly.
Treating -mAdAn as ordinary negation. The suffix -mAdAn is an adverbial converb meaning «without doing X», not the standard negation suffix -mA-. Yemeden gitti means «she left without eating», not «she did not eat and left».
Adding tense or person to the converb verb. A form like *geldip (past + converb) is incorrect. The converb stays bare: gelip. Tense, person, and number belong only on the final main verb.
Using -(y)Ip or -(y)ArAk with different subjects. These converbs require both actions to share the same subject. If the subjects differ — for example, «I came home and she ate» — use a finite coordinated sentence instead of a converb chain.