Simple 'If' Clauses
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the -sa suffix attached to the verb stem to express conditions in Kazakh.
- Add -sa/-se to the verb stem: Bar + sa = Barsa (If he goes).
- Add personal endings after the suffix: Barsa + m = Barsam (If I go).
- Negate by adding -ma/-me before the conditional suffix: Bar + ma + sa = Barmasa (If he does not go).
Meanings
The conditional mood is used to express a hypothetical situation or a condition that must be met for an action to occur.
Hypothetical Condition
Expressing a condition for a future or present result.
“Jańbyr jausa, biz úide qalamyz.”
“Oqysań, emtıhandan ótesiń.”
Conditional Suffix Conjugation
| Person | Suffix | Example (Bar-) | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | -sam | Barsam | If I go |
| You (inf) | -sań | Barsań | If you go |
| You (form) | -sańyz | Barsańyz | If you go (formal) |
| He/She/It | -sa | Barsa | If he/she goes |
| We | -saq | Barsaq | If we go |
| They | -salar | Barsalar | If they go |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Stem + sa/se + ending | Barsam |
| Negative | Stem + ma/me + sa/se + ending | Barmasam |
| Interrogative | Stem + sa/se + ending + ba/pe | Barsam ba? |
| Formal | Stem + sa/se + ńyz | Barsańyz |
| Plural | Stem + sa/se + ndar | Barsańyzdar |
| Negative Formal | Stem + ma/me + sa/se + ńyz | Barmasańyz |
Formalitätsspektrum
Kelseńiz, tamaqtanamyz. (Dining)
Kelseń, tamaqtanamyz. (Dining)
Kelseń, tamaqtanamyz. (Dining)
Kelseń, tamaqtanaıyq. (Dining)
Conditional Logic Flow
Action
- Bar Go
Result
- Kelse If he comes
Examples by Level
Kelseń, koremiz.
If you come, we will see.
Jasa, bolady.
If you do it, it will be fine.
Barsam, aitamyn.
If I go, I will tell you.
Oqysa, biledi.
If he studies, he will know.
Eger uaqyt bolsa, biz saıabaqqa baramyz.
If there is time, we will go to the park.
Eger sen kelmeseń, men ketemin.
If you don't come, I will leave.
Aqshań bolsa, maǵan aıt.
If you have money, tell me.
Eger ol surasa, men jaýap beremin.
If he asks, I will answer.
Eger jumys kóp bolsa, demalysqa shyqpaımyz.
If there is a lot of work, we won't take a vacation.
Eger olar kelmese, biz jıynly bastamaımyz.
If they don't come, we won't start the meeting.
Eger sen oqı alsań, bul kitapty oqy.
If you can read this, read this book.
Eger kómek kerek bolsa, maǵan qońyraý shal.
If you need help, call me.
Eger men buryn bilsem, basqasha jasar edim.
If I had known earlier, I would have done it differently.
Eger ol kelse, bizdiń josparymyz ózgeredi.
If he comes, our plan will change.
Eger sen qalaısań, biz basqa jerge baramyz.
If you wish, we will go elsewhere.
Eger bul sheshim durys bolsa, biz jetistikke jetemiz.
If this decision is correct, we will succeed.
Eger ol aıtqan bolsa, demek, bul shyndyq.
If he said it, then it must be the truth.
Eger biz erterek qozǵalsaq, keshigpeı jetemiz.
If we leave earlier, we will arrive without delay.
Eger sen meni tyńasań, ókinbeısiń.
If you listen to me, you won't regret it.
Eger jaǵdaı ózgermese, biz basqa joldy tańdaımyz.
If the situation doesn't change, we will choose another path.
Eger taǵdyr jazsa, biz taǵy kezdesemiz.
If fate writes it, we will meet again.
Eger adamnyń nıeti túzu bolsa, barlyǵy da sátti bolady.
If a person's intention is pure, everything will be successful.
Eger biz osy múmkindikti paıdalansaq, nátıje kútkenimizden de jaqsy bolmaq.
If we utilize this opportunity, the result will be even better than expected.
Eger ol kelmese, bizdiń barlyq eńbegimiz dalaga ketedi.
If he doesn't come, all our efforts will go to waste.
Easily Confused
Both can translate to 'when' or 'if' in some contexts.
Both express desires/conditions.
Both can be used in future contexts.
Häufige Fehler
Barusa
Barsa
Kelsa
Kelse
Eger bar
Eger barsa
Barsa men
Barsam
Kelmese
Kelmeseń
Eger kelseń men baram
Eger kelseń, men baram
Barmasań
Barmasań
Barsa edim
Barsam
Eger kelse, men keler edim
Eger kelse, men kelem
Oqysańyzlar
Oqysańyzdar
Eger kelse edi
Eger kelse
Barsa bolady
Barsań bolady
Kelseńiz
Kelseńiz
Sentence Patterns
Eger ___ bolsa, ___.
Eger sen ___ , men ___.
Eger ___ kelmese, ___.
Eger ___ bolsa, men ___ edim.
Real World Usage
Kelseń, aıt.
Eger qabyldansańyz, ne isteısińiz?
Eger adassańyz, bizge qońyraý shalyńyz.
Eger tamaq daıyn bolsa, jetkizip berińiz.
Eger qalaısań, like bas.
Eger bul teoriya durys bolsa, nátıje ózgeredi.
Vowel Harmony
Don't use -u
Use Eger
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use the formal -sańyz ending instead of -sań.
Add 'múmkin' (maybe) to the result clause.
Always start with 'Eger'.
Use the conditional with 'edi'.
Aussprache
Vowel Harmony
The 's' sound is always the same, but the vowel changes based on the root.
Conditional Clause
Kelseń, ↗ biz baramyz. ↘
Rising intonation on the condition, falling on the result.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'SA' as 'Situation Always'—if the situation happens, the result follows.
Visual Association
Imagine a seesaw. One side is the 'If' (the condition), the other is the 'Then' (the result). If you sit on the 'If' side, the 'Then' side goes up.
Rhyme
If you want to say 'if' with ease, just add the suffix -sa or -se.
Story
A traveler stands at a fork in the road. He says: 'If I go left, I find gold. If I go right, I find home.' He uses the -sa suffix for both choices, feeling the power of his decision.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Write 5 sentences starting with 'Eger' about your plans for tomorrow.
Kulturelle Hinweise
Conditional clauses are often used in hospitality. 'If you are a guest, you are treated like a king.'
The -sa suffix is a Proto-Turkic conditional marker.
Conversation Starters
Eger uaqytyń bolsa, ne isteısiń?
Eger erteń jańbyr jausa, ne isteısiń?
Eger sen prezident bolsań, ne ózgertesiń?
Eger saǵan úlken syılyq berse, ne ıster ediń?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Eger sen ____, biz ketemiz.
Eger ol ____, biz oqımyz.
Find and fix the mistake:
Eger barusań, aıt.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
If I have time, I will read.
Answer starts with: Uaq...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Eger biz ____, nátıje bolady.
A: Eger kómek kerek bolsa, maǵan aıt. B: ____.
Score: /8
Ubungsaufgaben
8 exercisesEger sen ____, biz ketemiz.
Eger ol ____, biz oqımyz.
Find and fix the mistake:
Eger barusań, aıt.
biz / kelseń / baramyz / kinoǵa
If I have time, I will read.
Match: 1. Barsam, 2. Kelseń, 3. Oqysa
Eger biz ____, nátıje bolady.
A: Eger kómek kerek bolsa, maǵan aıt. B: ____.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
No, the suffix is mandatory for the conditional meaning.
No, it is independent of the main clause tense.
Add -ma/-me before the -sa suffix.
It is neutral; use formal endings for respect.
'Bolsa' means 'if there is' or 'if it is', which is very common.
Yes, but usually with other particles like 'ǵoı'.
The suffix attaches directly to the stem.
Yes, very frequently for conditions and contracts.
In Other Languages
Si + presente
Kazakh uses a suffix instead of a standalone word.
Si + présent
Kazakh is agglutinative.
Wenn + verb
German word order changes.
-ba / -tara
Japanese has multiple conditional forms.
Idha + verb
Arabic is not agglutinative.
Ruguo + verb
Chinese has no conjugation.
