Accusative Case (-i, -ı, -u, -ü) in Turkish
Accusative Case (-i, -ı, -u, -ü)
The accusative case (-ı/-i/-u/-ü) marks specific, definite direct objects (kitabı okudum = I read the book vs. kitap okudum = I read a book/books).
The Turkish Accusative Case (Belirtme Durumu or definite direct object marker) uses the four-way suffix -(y)I (-ı, -i, -u, -ü, with buffer y after vowels). Unlike English, Turkish distinguishes strictly between indefinite (unmarked) direct objects and definite (marked) direct objects.
When a direct object is non-specific or generic, it takes no case ending and remains in the bare absolute form: Kitap okuyorum (I am reading a book / reading books). But when the object is definite, specific, identifiable, proper, or modified by a demonstrative or possessive, it must take the accusative case: Kitabı okuyorum (I am reading the specific book), Ahmet'i gördüm (I saw Ahmet), Bu filmi çok beğendim (I liked this movie), Evimi sattım (I sold my house).
Stems ending in p, ç, t, k soften before the accusative (köpek → köpeği, mektup → mektubu). Pronouns always take the accusative when acting as direct objects (beni, seni, onu, bizi, sizi, onları). Learners frequently overuse the accusative on indefinite nouns or omit it on specific referents.
Examples
Ahmet dünkü toplantıda genel müdürü gördü.
Ahmet saw the general manager at yesterday's meeting.
Kapıyı kapatıp anahtarı masanın üstüne bıraktı.
He closed the door and left the key on top of the table.
Bu akşam televizyonda eski bir Türk filmini izledik.
This evening we watched an old Turkish film on television.
Beni durakta yaklaşık yarım saat bekletti.
He made me wait at the bus stop for about half an hour.
Related terms
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