Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the progressive aspect to describe actions happening right now by adding -ip + jatyr to the verb stem.
- Use -ip + jatyr for ongoing actions: Men oqyp jatyrmyn (I am reading).
- Negative forms use -mei + jatyr: Men oqymay jatyrmyn (I am not reading).
- Questions follow the same pattern with the interrogative particle: Oqyp jatyrsyn ba? (Are you reading?).
Meanings
The progressive aspect describes actions that are currently in progress at the moment of speaking.
Immediate Action
Action happening right now.
“Men jazyp jatyrmyn.”
“Biz oqyp jatyrmyz.”
Extended Process
Action occurring over a period of time.
“Ol oqudy oqyp jatyr.”
“Biz jana jobany jasap jatyrmyz.”
Negative Progressive
Action not currently happening.
“Men oqymay jatyrmyn.”
“Ol kelmey jatyr.”
Conjugation of 'Jatyr' (Progressive)
| Person | Affirmative | Negative | Question |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Sing. | Jazyp jatyrmyn | Jazbay jatyrmyn | Jazyp jatyrmyn ba? |
| 2nd Sing. | Jazyp jatyrsyn | Jazbay jatyrsyn | Jazyp jatyrsyn ba? |
| 2nd Form. | Jazyp jatyrsyz | Jazbay jatyrsyz | Jazyp jatyrsyz ba? |
| 3rd Sing. | Jazyp jatyr | Jazbay jatyr | Jazyp jatyr ma? |
| 1st Plur. | Jazyp jatyrmyz | Jazbay jatyrmyz | Jazyp jatyrmyz ba? |
| 2nd Plur. | Jazyp jatyrsyzdar | Jazbay jatyrsyzdar | Jazyp jatyrsyzdar ma? |
| 3rd Plur. | Jazyp jatyr | Jazbay jatyr | Jazyp jatyr ma? |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Verb-ip + jatyr + suffix | Men oqyp jatyrmyn |
| Negative | Verb-may + jatyr + suffix | Men oqymay jatyrmyn |
| Question | Affirmative + ba/be | Oqyp jatyrsyn ba? |
| Neg. Question | Negative + ba/be | Oqymay jatyrsyn ba? |
| 3rd Person | Verb-ip + jatyr | Ol oqyp jatyr |
| Plural | Verb-ip + jatyr + suffix | Biz oqyp jatyrmyz |
Formalitätsspektrum
Men jumys istep jatyrmyn. (Work)
Men jumys istep jatyrmyn. (Work)
Jumys istep jatyrmyn. (Work)
Jumys istep jatyr-au. (Work)
Progressive Aspect Components
Components
- Stem Root
- Converb -ip suffix
- Auxiliary jatyr
Examples by Level
Men oqyp jatyrmyn.
I am reading.
Ol tamaq ishep jatyr.
He is eating.
Biz jügirip jatyrmyz.
We are running.
Olar oynap jatyr.
They are playing.
Sen ne istep jatyrsyn?
What are you doing?
Men jazbay jatyrmyn.
I am not writing.
Ol kelmey jatyr.
He is not coming.
Biz kütip jatyrmyz.
We are waiting.
Olar jana jobany jasap jaty.
They are working on a new project.
Men kitap oqyp jatyrmyn, mazalamanyz.
I am reading a book, don't disturb me.
Ol öziniñ jumysyn istep jatyr.
He is doing his work.
Biz bul mäseleni talqylap jatyrmyz.
We are discussing this issue.
Qazirgi tañda biz jaña tehnologiyalardy yñğaylap jatyrmyz.
Currently, we are adapting new technologies.
Ol öziniñ täjiribesin jetildire tüsip jatyr.
He is further improving his experience.
Biz barlyq qajetti qujattardy dayyndap jatyrmyz.
We are preparing all necessary documents.
Olar qala ortalyğyn abattandyryp jatyr.
They are improving the city center.
Ğalymdar jaña zertteu jürgizip jatyr.
Scientists are conducting new research.
Ol öziniñ şyğarmashylyq izdenisterin jalğastyryp jatyr.
He is continuing his creative pursuits.
Qoğam belsendi türde özgerip jatyr.
Society is actively changing.
Biz barlyq qauip-qaterlerdi saralap jatyrmyz.
We are analyzing all risks.
Tilşiler til damuynyñ erekshelikterin zerttep jatyr.
Linguists are researching the features of language development.
Ol öziniñ filosofiyalyq közqarastaryn qalyptastyryp jatyr.
He is forming his philosophical views.
Biz tarihy şyndyqty qalpyna keltirip jatyrmyz.
We are restoring historical truth.
Olar jahandyq özgeristerdiñ saldaryn zerttep jatyr.
They are researching the consequences of global changes.
Easily Confused
Learners use progressive for habits.
Mixing up the auxiliary.
Confusing -yp jatyr with -yp jatqan.
Häufige Fehler
Men oqyp jatyr.
Men oqyp jatyrmyn.
Men oqymay.
Men oqymay jatyrmyn.
Men oqyp jatyrmyn ba?
Men oqyp jatyrmyn.
Men oqyp jatyrlar.
Men oqyp jatyrmyn.
Men kün sayyn oqyp jatyrmyn.
Men kün sayyn oqymyn.
Ol oqyp jatyrlar.
Olar oqyp jatyr.
Men oqyp jatyrmyn kün.
Men kün sayyn oqymyn.
Biz oqyp jatyrmyzlar.
Biz oqyp jatyrmyz.
Ol oqyp jatyr edi.
Ol oqyp jatyr.
Men oqyp jatyrmyn, biraq oqymaymyn.
Men oqyp jatyrmyn.
Ol oqyp jatyrğan.
Ol oqyp jatyr.
Biz oqyp jatyrmyz, oqyp jatyrmyz.
Biz oqyp jatyrmyz.
Ol oqyp jatyr eken.
Ol oqyp jatyr.
Olar oqyp jatyrlar.
Olar oqyp jatyr.
Sentence Patterns
Men ___ jatyrmyn.
Sen ___ jatyrsyn ba?
Biz ___ jatyrmyz.
Olar ___ jatyr.
Real World Usage
Men baryp jatyrmyn.
Biz jobany talqylap jatyrmyz.
Kofe iship jatyrmyn.
Biz poezd kütip jatyrmyz.
Tamaq dayyndap jatyr.
Men oqyp jatyrmyn.
Vowel Harmony
Habitual vs Progressive
Personal Suffixes
Natural Speech
Smart Tips
Always add the personal suffix to 'jatyr'.
Switch to simple present.
Keep the auxiliary and add the particle at the end.
Use -may/-mey before jatyr.
Aussprache
Vowel Harmony
The suffix -ip/-yp/-p changes based on the root vowel.
Question intonation
Jatyrsyn ba? ↑
Rising pitch at the end for questions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Jatyr means to lie down, so imagine the action is 'lying' on the floor right now.
Visual Association
Picture a person lying on a couch with a book. They are 'lying' (jatyr) while 'reading' (oqyp).
Rhyme
Action now, don't be shy, add -ip and then jatyr!
Story
I am sitting at my desk. I am writing a letter. I am writing (jazyp) and my energy is lying (jatyr) on the paper.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Describe 3 things you are doing right now in Kazakh.
Kulturelle Hinweise
The progressive is used heavily in urban settings for quick updates.
The progressive aspect in Kazakh evolved from the verb 'jatyr' (to lie).
Conversation Starters
Qazir ne istep jatyrsyn?
Siz qanday jobamen jumys istep jatyrsyz?
Olar nege jügirip jatyr?
Qazirgi tañda qanday mäselelerdi talqylap jatyrsyzdar?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Men oqyp ___.
Ol ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Biz oqyp jatyrlar.
Men oqyp jatyrmyn.
A: Ne istep jatyrsyn? B: ___.
jatyr / oqyp / Men / .
Which is progressive?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesMen oqyp ___.
Ol ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Biz oqyp jatyrlar.
Men oqyp jatyrmyn.
A: Ne istep jatyrsyn? B: ___.
jatyr / oqyp / Men / .
Which is progressive?
Match person to suffix.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
No, for past tense you use 'jatyr edi'.
Yes, it is the standard auxiliary.
Use -p.
No, use the future tense.
Jatyr is for general progressive, tur is for standing/staying.
It is neutral and used in all registers.
Using it for habits.
Add ba/be.
In Other Languages
estar + gerundio
Kazakh uses a converb suffix while Spanish uses a gerund.
être en train de
Kazakh is synthetic (suffixes), French is analytic (prepositions).
am ... sein
German uses the infinitive, Kazakh uses a converb.
te-iru
The auxiliary verb 'iru' is more general than 'jatyr'.
qaa'id + verb
Arabic uses a participle, Kazakh uses a converb.
zài + verb
Chinese uses a pre-verbal marker, Kazakh uses a post-verbal auxiliary.