Nominative Case (Атау септік) in Kazakh
Nominative Case (Атау септік)
The nominative case is the bare, suffixless base form answering 'кім?' (who?) and 'не?' (what?), serving as the subject of the clause.
The *Nominative Case (Атау септік) is the unmarked, fundamental dictionary form of nouns in Kazakh. It takes zero case suffix and answers the core questions Кім? (Who? — strictly reserved for humans in Kazakh) and Не?* (What? — used for all inanimate objects as well as animals and plants).
Primary syntactic functions: 1. *Subject of the Sentence (Бастауыш): The agent or theme of the clause: Студент кітап оқып отыр (The student is reading a book). 2. Nominal Predicate (Баяндауыш): When coupled with personal predicative endings: Мен мұғалім-мін (I am a teacher), Біз дәрігер-міз (We are doctors). 3. Indefinite Direct Object: When a direct object is non-specific or generic, it remains in the bare nominative form without the accusative marker: Айгүл алма жеді (Aigul ate an apple / ate apples, non-specific). 4. Unmarked Attributive Modifier: Nouns functioning as adjectival classifiers: алтын сағат (gold watch), темір есік* (iron door).
Foreign learners must remember that in Kazakh, all animals (even household pets like dogs and horses) are questioned with не? (what?), never with кім? (who?).
Examples
Жас ғалым халықаралық конференцияда қызықты баяндама жасады.
The young scientist made an interesting presentation at the international conference.
Біздің ауылда жаңа заманауи спорт кешені ашылды.
A new modern sports complex opened in our village.
Асқар қаладағы үлкен ауруханада тәжірибелі дәрігер болып істейді.
Asqar works as an experienced doctor in a large hospital in the city.
Даладағы жүйрік жылқылар көк майсада еркін жайылып жүр.
The swift horses in the field are grazing freely on the green meadow.
Related terms
Learn kk in context — free dictionary and practice.