Infinitive (-u)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The -u suffix turns a verb into a noun, acting like the English 'to [verb]' or gerund '-ing'.
- Add -u to vowel-ending stems: oqu (to read).
- Add -u to consonant-ending stems: jaz + u = jazu (to write).
- It functions as the dictionary form of the verb.
Meanings
The -u suffix creates the infinitive or verbal noun form in Kazakh. It is the base form used in dictionaries.
Infinitive
Used to express the action itself.
“Jazu qiyin emes.”
“Oqu kerek.”
Verbal Noun
Acts as a subject or object in a sentence.
“Oqu - paydaly.”
“Jazu - menin hobbiim.”
Infinitive Formation
| Verb Stem | Suffix | Infinitive | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaz | u | Jazu | To write |
| Oq | u | Oqu | To read |
| Bar | u | Baru | To go |
| Kel | u | Kelu | To come |
| Is | u | Ishu | To drink |
| J | eu | Jeu | To eat |
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Stem + u | Jazu |
| Negative | Stem + ba/be + u | Jazbau |
| Question | Infinitive + ba/be | Jazu ba? |
| Dative | Infinitive + ga/ge | Jazuga |
| Accusative | Infinitive + dy/di | Jazudy |
| Ablative | Infinitive + dan/den | Jazudan |
Spectre de formalité
Men oqudy unatamyn. (Hobbies)
Men oqudy unatam. (Hobbies)
Oqudy unatam. (Hobbies)
Oqu - tema! (Hobbies)
The -u Concept Map
Actions
- Jazu Writing
Necessity
- Baru kerek Must go
Examples by Level
Oqu - paydaly.
Reading is useful.
Jazu qiyin.
Writing is hard.
Kelu kerek.
Coming is necessary.
Su ishu.
Drinking water.
Men oqudy unatamyn.
I like reading.
Jazbau kerek.
It is necessary not to write.
Baru - menin armanym.
Going is my dream.
Tamu qiyin ba?
Is finding difficult?
Oquga uaqyt joq.
There is no time for reading.
Jazu prosesi uzaq.
The writing process is long.
Kelu-ketu joly.
The coming and going path.
Ony oqudy toqtatty.
He stopped reading it.
Jazu qabileti damygan.
Writing ability is developed.
Oqudan sharshadym.
I am tired from reading.
Kelu-kelmeu - sol sheshim.
Coming or not coming - that is the decision.
Jazudy bastau kerek.
One must start writing.
Oqu mәdenietin qalyptastyru.
Forming a culture of reading.
Jazudyń kórkemdigi.
The artistry of writing.
Kelu-ketudi retteu.
Regulating the coming and going.
Oqudyń mańyzy zor.
The importance of reading is great.
Jazudyń tili - ult aynasy.
The language of writing is the mirror of the nation.
Oqudyń tereńdigi.
The depth of reading.
Kelu-ketudiń zańdylyǵy.
The regularity of coming and going.
Jazudyń kórkemdik ereksheligi.
The artistic peculiarity of writing.
Easily Confused
Learners think -u is the present tense.
Learners confuse intent with infinitive.
Learners use -u for past actions.
Erreurs courantes
Jazau
Jazu
Jaz-u
Jazu
Jazuy
Jazu
Jaz
Jazu
Jazuby
Jazbau
Jazuga kerek
Jazu kerek
Oqu kerekmen
Oqu kerek
Jazudyng
Jazudyń
Oqu-u
Oqu
Baru-ga
Baruǵa
Jazuv
Jazu
Oquv
Oqu
Jazuyy
Jazuy
Sentence Patterns
___ kerek.
Men ___ unatamyn.
___ qiyin.
___ - menin hobbiim.
Real World Usage
Oqudy bastadym.
Baru kerek.
Jazudy bilemin.
Kelu-ketu.
Tapsyrys beru.
Zertteu jazu.
Vowel Harmony
Don't Conjugate
Dictionary Use
Formal Speech
Smart Tips
Recognize the -u as the base form.
Use the -u form.
Use -u + kerek.
Use nominalized -u.
Prononciation
The -u sound
The -u is a rounded back vowel.
Statement
Jazu qiyin ↓
Falling intonation for facts.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'u' as 'Universal'—it's the universal form for every verb.
Visual Association
Imagine a book with a giant 'U' on the cover. Every time you open it, you see actions turning into nouns.
Rhyme
Add a 'u' to the end, to make the action your friend.
Story
Ali wanted to learn Kazakh. He took the verb 'to write', which is 'jaz'. He added 'u' and suddenly he had 'jazu'. Now he could say 'Jazu is fun!'
Word Web
Défi
Write down 5 things you like to do using the -u form.
Notes culturelles
The -u form is used in formal education settings.
Often used in community centers.
Used in research papers.
Turkic verbal noun suffix.
Conversation Starters
Hobbiin ne?
Oqu qiyin ba?
Jazu kerek pe?
Kelu kerek pe?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Men oqu___ unatamyn.
Which is the infinitive?
Find and fix the mistake:
Men baru-ga kerek.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Reading is good.
Answer starts with: a...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Stem: Kel
The -u form is a noun.
Score: /8
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesMen oqu___ unatamyn.
Which is the infinitive?
Find and fix the mistake:
Men baru-ga kerek.
kerek / jazu / menin
Reading is good.
Match verb to infinitive.
Stem: Kel
The -u form is a noun.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
Yes, it is the standard dictionary form.
No, it has no tense.
Add -ba/be before -u.
It is a verbal noun.
Because it names the activity.
Yes, it acts like a noun.
Yes, very common.
-yp is for actions in progress.
In Other Languages
Infinitivo
Kazakh uses it as a noun more often.
Infinitif
Kazakh is agglutinative.
Infinitiv
German uses 'zu' separately.
Koto
Kazakh is a suffix.
Masdar
Kazakh is suffix-based.
Verb + de
Kazakh is synthetic.
