Prohibitive (-ma)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the suffix -ma/-me/-pa/-pe to turn any verb into a 'don't do it' command.
- Add -ma/-me to consonant-ending verbs: Kel (come) -> Kelme (don't come).
- Add -pa/-pe to verbs ending in voiced consonants/vowels: Bar (go) -> Barma (don't go).
- Use the plural form -mańyzdar for addressing groups: Barmańyzdar (don't go, all of you).
Meanings
The prohibitive mood is used to issue negative commands or prohibitions, telling someone not to perform an action.
Direct Command
Telling someone directly not to do something.
“Jügirme!”
“Aitpa!”
Polite Prohibition
Using the plural/polite form to forbid an action.
“Kirmeńiz!”
“Aitpańyz!”
Prohibitive Conjugation Table
| Verb Root | Suffix | Informal | Polite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bar | -ma | Barma | Barmańyz |
| Kel | -me | Kelme | Kelmeńiz |
| Oqy | -ma | Oqyma | Oqymańyz |
| Jügir | -me | Jügirme | Jügirmeńiz |
| Ait | -pa | Aitpa | Aitpańyz |
| Keshik | -pe | Keshikpe | Keshikpeńiz |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Informal | Root + -ma/-me | Barma! |
| Polite | Root + -ma/-me + -ńyz | Barmańyz! |
| Plural Informal | Root + -ma/-me + -ńdar | Barmańdar! |
| Plural Polite | Root + -ma/-me + -ńyzdar | Barmańyzdar! |
| Negative Infinitive | Root + -ma/-me + -ý | Barmaý |
| Negative Potential | Root + -ma/-me + -ýy kerek | Barmaý kerek |
Formalitätsspektrum
Kirmeńiz. (Entering a room)
Kirme. (Entering a room)
Kirme! (Entering a room)
Kirme! (Entering a room)
Prohibitive Suffix Logic
Back Vowels (a, o, u)
- -ma Suffix
Front Vowels (e, ö, ü)
- -me Suffix
Examples by Level
Barma!
Don't go!
Kelme!
Don't come!
Jeme!
Don't eat!
İshpe!
Don't drink!
Bul jerde jügirmeńiz.
Don't run here (polite).
Ony aitpa.
Don't say that.
Eshkimge aıtpańyzdar.
Don't tell anyone (plural).
Keshikpe.
Don't be late.
Meniń zattaryma tıispeńiz.
Please do not touch my things.
Osy taqyrypty qozǵama.
Don't bring up this topic.
Jolyńyzdan adaspańyz.
Don't lose your way.
Qorqpa, bári jaqsy bolady.
Don't be afraid, everything will be fine.
Jeke ómirime aralaspańyz.
Do not interfere in my private life.
Qate jiberip, úmitimdi aqtamaı qalma.
Don't make a mistake and fail to meet my expectations.
Búgingi kúnniń josparyn ózgertpeńiz.
Do not change today's schedule.
Eshqashan ózińe degen senimdi joǵaltpa.
Never lose confidence in yourself.
Osy máselege qatysty asyǵys sheshim qabyldamańyz.
Do not make hasty decisions regarding this matter.
Tarihı shyndyqty burmalamaýǵa tyrysyńyz.
Try not to distort historical truth.
Sizge aıtylǵan aqparatty eshkimge jarııalamańyz.
Do not disclose the information given to you to anyone.
Ótken kúnniń qatelerine boı almańyz.
Do not get caught up in the mistakes of the past.
Qoǵamdyq pikirge qaramastan, óz ustanymyńyzdan aınymańyz.
Regardless of public opinion, do not waver from your position.
Bul qujattyń mazmunyn eshbir jaǵdaıda ózgertpeýlerińizdi suraımyn.
I request that you do not change the content of this document under any circumstances.
Ózgeristerdiń qarqynyn báseńdetpeýge kúsh salyńyz.
Strive not to slow down the pace of change.
Jalǵan qundylyqtarǵa boı aldyryp, aqıqatty umytpańyz.
Do not be swayed by false values and forget the truth.
Easily Confused
Learners confuse 'let's' with 'don't'.
Learners confuse facts with commands.
Learners use infinitive for commands.
Häufige Fehler
Barme
Barma
Kelma
Kelme
Jügirma
Jügirme
Aitme
Aitpa
Kirme (to a boss)
Kirmeńiz
Barmańiz (plural)
Barmańyzdar
Jemeńiz (to a child)
Jeme
Aitpaý kerek
Aitpaýyńyz kerek
Kirmeýin
Kirme
Jügirmeyin
Jügirme
Aitpaýyńyzdy suraımyn
Aitpaýyńyzdy suraımyn (correct but awkward)
Kirmeý qalyńyz
Kirmeńiz
Jügirmeý qalyńyz
Jügirmeńiz
Sentence Patterns
___ ___!
___ ___ ___.
Eshkimge ___ ___.
Bul jerde ___ ___.
Real World Usage
Kirmeńiz.
Aitpa!
Qate jibermeńiz.
Adaspańyz.
Piyaz qospańyz.
Jazba!
Vowel Harmony
Politeness
Plurality
Context
Smart Tips
Always add -ńyz to the end.
Use -ńyzdar.
Look at the last vowel of the root.
Use the informal form with a short, sharp tone.
Aussprache
Vowel Harmony
Ensure the vowel in the suffix matches the root.
Command
Barma! (Falling tone)
Firm instruction
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'MA' as 'MAMA says NO!'
Visual Association
Imagine a giant red stop sign with the letters 'MA' written on it in bold white paint.
Rhyme
If you want to say 'don't', add -ma or -me, it's the easiest way to be free!
Story
A little boy named Ali is about to touch a hot stove. His mother shouts 'Tıispe!' (Don't touch!). Ali stops immediately. He learns that 'pe' is the magic sound for 'stop'.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Write down 5 things you want to tell your pet not to do using the prohibitive form.
Kulturelle Hinweise
Politeness is highly valued. Always use the -ńyz suffix when speaking to elders or strangers.
The prohibitive suffix is a Proto-Turkic development.
Conversation Starters
What should I not do in your city?
What is a common rule in your office?
What should a tourist not touch?
Give me a piece of advice using the prohibitive.
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Bar___!
Kirme___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Barme!
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Don't eat!
Answer starts with: a...
A: Can I enter? B: ___!
Use 'aitpa' and 'ony'.
Which is most formal?
Score: /8
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesBar___!
Kirme___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Barme!
jerde / bul / jügirmeńiz
Don't eat!
A: Can I enter? B: ___!
Use 'aitpa' and 'ony'.
Which is most formal?
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
It depends on vowel harmony. Back vowels take 'a', front vowels take 'e'.
Yes, it works with almost all verb roots.
Only if you use it with strangers or elders.
Add -ńyzdar to the end.
The suffix still applies, just follow the harmony.
Yes, 'eshqashan' is used for 'never'.
Yes, but use the polite form.
It happens after certain consonants, but -ma/-me is the standard rule.
In Other Languages
No + Imperative
Kazakh is suffix-based; Spanish is particle-based.
Ne + verb + pas
French requires two parts; Kazakh is one.
Nicht + verb
German is word-based; Kazakh is suffix-based.
Verb + ~na
Japanese suffix is ~na; Kazakh is -ma/-me.
La + jussive
Arabic is prefix-based; Kazakh is suffix-based.
Bie + verb
Chinese is word-based; Kazakh is suffix-based.
