what is it?
Turkish has two converb constructions that link clauses without a finite verb in the subordinate clause. The "until" converbs — -(y)IncAyA kadar and -AnA kadar — express that the main-clause action continues up to the point of the subordinate event. The "without" converb -mAksIzIn expresses that the main-clause action takes place in the absence of the subordinate action. All three are non-finite: the subordinate verb carries no tense or agreement suffix of its own; tense and subject agreement are marked only on the main verb.
when to use it
-(y)IncAyA kadar — use when the subject of the subordinate clause is different from the subject of the main clause, or when it is the same but the focus is on the endpoint of the main action. This is the more common written and spoken form for "until" / "by the time".
-AnA kadar — use when the subject of the subordinate clause is the same as the main-clause subject and the meaning is "until (I/she/they) do X". The suffix carries a personal-reference flavour and is especially natural with verbs of reaching a state (e.g. ölmek, yorulmak).
-mAksIzIn — use in formal written Turkish (journalism, official prose, academic writing) to mean "without doing". In everyday speech and informal writing, the neutral equivalent -mAdAn is preferred. Choose -mAksIzIn when register demands it or when you encounter it in reading.
formation
-(y)IncAyA kadar is built in three steps: (1) add the converb suffix -(y)IncA to the verb stem (buffer y after a vowel-final stem); (2) add the dative suffix -(y)A to that converb form; (3) follow with the postposition kadar. The vowel in -IncA harmonises: back-rounded stems → -unca, back-unrounded → -ınca, front-rounded → -ünce, front-unrounded → -ince.
| verb (infinitive) | converb -(y)IncA | + dative -(y)A | full form |
|---|---|---|---|
| gelmek | gelince | gelinceye | gelinceye kadar |
| bitmek | bitince | bitinceye | bitinceye kadar |
| gitmek | gidince | gidinceye | gidinceye kadar |
| uyumak | uyuyunca | uyuyunca-ya | uyuyuncaya kadar |
| okumak | okuyunca | okuyuncaya | okuyuncaya kadar |
The dative -(y)A is obligatory. «gelince kadar» is a common learner error; the correct form is «gelinceye kadar».
-AnA kadar uses the converb suffix -AnA (which already contains the dative), followed directly by kadar. The vowel harmonises: back stems → -ana, front stems → -ene.
| verb (infinitive) | converb -AnA | full form |
|---|---|---|
| ölmek | ölene | ölene kadar |
| yorulmak | yorulana | yorulana kadar |
| gelmek | gelene | gelene kadar |
| bulmak | bulana | bulana kadar |
-mAksIzIn is a fixed suffix added directly to the negative verb stem (the -mA- base). It does not change for person or tense. The vowel harmonises: back stems → -maksızın, front stems → -meksizin.
| verb (infinitive) | -mAksIzIn form | meaning |
|---|---|---|
| durmak | durmaksızın | without stopping |
| düşünmek | düşünmeksizin | without thinking |
| sormak | sormaksızın | without asking |
| beklemek | beklemeksizin | without waiting |
-mAksIzIn is a single, indivisible suffix. Do not attempt to split it as -mA + sızın and then attach it to other bases: «yapmasızın» is not Turkish. The only correct form is yapmaksızın.
examples in context
common pitfalls
Dropping the dative -(y)A in -(y)IncAyA kadar. The postposition kadar governs the dative case, so the converb form must carry it. «gelince kadar» is wrong; «gelinceye kadar» is correct. Think of it as: converb + dative + kadar, three pieces, always.
Using -mAksIzIn in casual speech. This suffix belongs to formal written register. Saying «durmaksızın» in everyday conversation sounds stilted. Use -mAdAn (durmadan, sormadan) in all neutral and informal contexts.
Mis-segmenting -mAksIzIn as -mA + sızın. Learners sometimes try to attach «-sızın» to other bases, producing forms like «yapmasızın». The suffix is a fixed, unanalysable unit: the only correct form is yapmaksızın. Memorise it as a whole.