Passive Suffixes
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Transform active verbs into passive ones by adding -yl, -il, -ul, or -ul to the verb stem.
- Add -yl/-il after consonants: 'Jaz' (write) becomes 'Jazyl' (be written).
- Add -n after vowels: 'Qo' (put) becomes 'Qoyyl' (be put).
- The subject becomes the receiver of the action, not the doer.
Meanings
The passive voice is used to shift focus from the agent (doer) to the object (receiver) of an action.
General Passive
Action performed on an object without specifying the agent.
“Esiq asyldy.”
“Kitep oqyldy.”
Impersonal Passive
General statements where the subject is unknown or irrelevant.
“Bul jerde qazaqsha soileledi.”
“Osynda tamaq isiledi.”
Passive Suffix Formation
| Verb Stem | Suffix | Passive Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaz | -yl | Jazyl | To be written |
| Oqy | -l | Oqyl | To be read |
| Asha | -l | Ashyl | To be opened |
| Ber | -il | Beril | To be given |
| Saty | -l | Satyl | To be sold |
| Kut | -il | Kutil | To be waited |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Stem + Suffix + Tense | Jazyldy (It was written) |
| Negative | Stem + Neg + Suffix + Tense | Jazylmady (It was not written) |
| Question | Stem + Suffix + Tense + Q | Jazyldy ma? (Was it written?) |
| Future | Stem + Suffix + Tense | Jazylady (It will be written) |
طیف رسمیت
Jumys ayaqtaldy. (Office)
Jumys bitirildi. (Office)
Jumys bitip qaldy. (Office)
Jumys bitken. (Office)
Passive Voice Concept
Usage
- Formal Formal
- Objective Objective
Examples by Level
Kitep oqyldy.
The book was read.
Esiq jabyldy.
The door was closed.
Jana zang qabyldandy.
The new law was adopted.
Bul joba kelesi jyly ayaqtalady.
This project will be finished next year.
Qala boiynda jana jol salyndy.
A new road was built across the city.
Tarihi derekterge suienip, sheshim qabyldandy.
Based on historical data, a decision was made.
Easily Confused
Both use similar suffixes.
Learners use passive when active is better.
Both change the verb.
اشتباهات رایج
Men jazylmyn.
Hat jazyldy.
Kitep oqylady.
Kitep oqyldy.
Esiq asyl.
Esiq asyldy.
Tamaq isil.
Tamaq isildi.
Jumys bitirildi.
Jumys bitirildi.
Zang qabyldan.
Zang qabyldandy.
Kitep jazylmady.
Kitep jazylmady.
Men oqyldym.
Kitep oqyldy.
Jol salyndy.
Jol salyndy.
Tamaq isiledi.
Tamaq isiledi.
Olar jazyldy.
Hat jazyldy.
Zang qabyldanady.
Zang qabyldandy.
Esiq asyldy.
Esiq asyldy.
Sentence Patterns
___ ___yldy.
___ ___ylady.
___ ___ylmady.
___ ___ylgan.
Real World Usage
Zang qabyldandy.
Joba ayaqtaldy.
Jana foto salyndy.
Esiq jabyldy.
Derekteme jazyldy.
Tamaq daıyndaldy.
Vowel Harmony
Transitive Only
Focus
Formality
Smart Tips
Use passive to sound objective.
Use passive.
Passive is standard.
Use passive.
تلفظ
Vowel Harmony
Ensure the suffix vowel matches the stem.
Statement
Jumys bitirildi ↓
Falling intonation for facts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Passive is 'P' for 'Passive' and 'P' for 'Patient' (the one receiving the action).
Visual Association
Imagine a letter sitting on a desk being written by an invisible hand.
Rhyme
Add -yl or -il to the stem, the action is done to them.
Story
The king sat on his throne. The decree was written (jazyldy). The door was opened (ashyldy). The gift was given (berildi).
Word Web
چالش
Write 3 passive sentences about your daily routine.
نکات فرهنگی
Passive voice is highly valued in formal Kazakh society for showing respect and objectivity.
Turkic passive suffixes.
Conversation Starters
Kitep oqyldy ma?
Jumys bitirildi me?
Zang qabyldandy ma?
Joba ayaqtaldy ma?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Kitep ___ (read).
Hat ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Men jazyldym.
Olar kitep oqydy.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Esiq ___ (close).
Zang ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Tamaq isil.
Score: /8
تمرینهای عملی
8 exercisesKitep ___ (read).
Hat ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Men jazyldym.
Olar kitep oqydy.
Jaz -> ?
Esiq ___ (close).
Zang ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Tamaq isil.
Score: /8
سوالات متداول (8)
It is a way to focus on the object.
Add -yl/-il to the stem.
In formal writing.
No, only transitive verbs.
No, Kazakh uses suffixes.
Yes, very.
Yes, vowel harmony.
Practice with objects.
In Other Languages
Se + verb
Kazakh is agglutinative.
Être + past participle
Kazakh uses suffixes.
Werden + past participle
Kazakh uses suffixes.
-(r)eru
Kazakh has vowel harmony.
Internal vowel change
Kazakh adds suffixes.
Bei
Kazakh uses suffixes.
