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A1 verb 9 min read

vermek

Examples Notes & Tips vermek in 30 Seconds
Explanation vermek in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'vermek' is one of the first verbs you learn. It is used for basic physical transactions. You learn to say 'Bana su ver' (Give me water) or 'Kalemi ona ver' (Give the pen to him/her). At this stage, the focus is on the dative case (bana, sana, ona) and the imperative or simple present continuous tense. You use it in shops, at home, and in the classroom. It's about 'I give, you give' and the immediate movement of objects. You also learn 'para vermek' (to give money/pay) in the context of shopping.
At the A2 level, you start using 'vermek' in simple compound phrases and social situations. You learn 'karar vermek' (to decide) and 'haber vermek' (to inform). You begin to understand that 'vermek' isn't always about a physical object. You might say 'Ona bir şans ver' (Give him a chance). You also practice the past tense ('verdim') and the future tense ('vereceğim') more fluently. You start to see 'vermek' in common daily idioms like 'selam vermek' (to greet) and 'ara vermek' (to take a break).
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At the B1 level, you encounter the 'Tezlik Fiili' (-i-vermek), which adds a layer of speed or ease to an action (e.g., 'yapıvermek' - to do quickly). You also use 'vermek' in more complex administrative and social contexts, such as 'sipariş vermek' (to order) or 'söz vermek' (to promise). You understand the difference between 'vermek' and its more formal synonyms like 'sunmak'. You can describe processes, such as how a tree 'yields' fruit or how a company 'provides' services. Your sentence structures become more complex, involving sub-clauses.
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At the B2 level, 'vermek' appears in more abstract and idiomatic expressions. You use phrases like 'ödün vermek' (to compromise/give a concession) or 'açık vermek' (to leave a gap/give away a secret). You understand the nuances of 'vermek' in news reports and literature. You can use the passive form 'verilmek' (to be given) and the causative form 'verdirmek' (to make someone give). You are comfortable with 'vermek' in various mood suffixes, such as the conditional ('verseydim' - if I had given) and the necessity ('vermeliyim' - I must give).
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At the C1 level, you master the subtle connotations of 'vermek' in academic and professional Turkish. You use it in phrases like 'beyanat vermek' (to issue a statement) or 'tepki vermek' (to react). You understand its role in forming complex philosophical ideas, such as 'can vermek' in the sense of 'bringing life' to an idea or a project. You can distinguish between the many synonyms of 'vermek' based on register and tone. You also understand archaic or literary uses found in Ottoman-influenced Turkish literature.
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At the C2 level, 'vermek' is used with native-like precision in all contexts. You understand its deepest metaphorical roots in poetry and high-level political discourse. You can use it in highly specific legal or technical idioms. You recognize how 'vermek' functions in various dialects and historical texts. At this stage, the verb is no longer a word you 'think' about; it is a flexible tool you use to weave complex meanings, from 'giving one's heart' to a cause to 'giving weight' (önem vermek) to a specific argument in a debate.
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Examples Notes & Tips

vermek in 30 Seconds

  • Vermek is the Turkish verb for 'to give', used for physical and abstract transfers.
  • It requires the recipient to take the dative case suffix (-e or -a).
  • It forms essential compound verbs like 'karar vermek' (to decide) and 'haber vermek' (to inform).
  • It can also be used as a suffix (-i-vermek) to indicate that an action is done quickly.

The Turkish verb vermek is one of the most fundamental and versatile pillars of the Turkish language. At its most basic level, it translates to 'to give' in English, representing the act of transferring something from one person or place to another. However, its utility extends far beyond simple physical exchange. In the Turkish linguistic mindset, vermek encompasses the concepts of yielding, producing, paying, granting, and even the initiation of various actions through complex light verb constructions.

Physical Transfer
This is the primary use, where an object moves from the subject to a recipient. In Turkish, the recipient must always take the dative case suffix (-e or -a).
Abstract Granting
Used for giving permission, giving word (promises), or giving advice. It represents the movement of non-physical concepts.
Productivity and Yield
In agricultural or industrial contexts, it describes a tree 'giving' fruit or a factory 'giving' output.

Lütfen bana şu kitabı verir misin? (Could you please give me that book?)

Understanding vermek requires a grasp of the Turkish 'Light Verb' system. Just as English uses 'to make' or 'to do', Turkish uses vermek to turn nouns into actions. For example, 'karar' (decision) becomes 'karar vermek' (to decide). This is not just 'giving a decision' in a formal sense, but the standard way to express the act of deciding in everyday speech. Whether you are at a market paying for tomatoes (para vermek) or in a meeting giving a report (rapor vermek), this verb is inescapable.

Ağaçlar bu yıl çok meyve verdi. (The trees gave/produced a lot of fruit this year.)

In social etiquette, vermek is tied to the concept of 'ikram' (offering). When guests arrive, you 'give' them tea, but the verb carries a weight of hospitality. It is also used in religious and spiritual contexts, such as 'can vermek' (to give life or to die/give one's soul), showing its reach from the mundane to the existential. In modern Turkish, it also appears in technological contexts, like 'hata vermek' (to give/throw an error), proving that even as the world changes, this ancient root remains the primary way to describe the output of any system.

Commercial Use
Used for paying (para vermek) or ordering at a restaurant (sipariş vermek).

Garsona siparişi verdik. (We gave the order to the waiter.)

Grammatically, vermek is a transitive verb that typically requires two arguments: a direct object (the thing being given) and an indirect object (the recipient). The direct object can be in the absolute case (if indefinite) or the accusative case (if definite), while the recipient must always be in the dative case. This 'Dative-Accusative' structure is the heartbeat of Turkish sentence construction involving exchange.

The Dative Recipient
The recipient of the action takes -e or -a. Example: Ahmet'e (To Ahmet), Kediyi köpeğe (The cat to the dog).

Annem bana harçlık verdi. (My mother gave me pocket money.)

Beyond simple sentences, vermek is used as an auxiliary verb in the 'Suffixed Verb' form (-i-vermek). This denotes 'suddenness' or 'quickness'. For example, 'bakmak' (to look) becomes 'bakıvermek' (to take a quick look). This is a more advanced B1/B2 level usage but essential for understanding natural Turkish flow. It implies that the action was done easily, quickly, or unexpectedly. This 'Tezlik Fiili' (Speed Verb) construction is one of the most distinctive features of Turkish morphology.

Kapıyı açıverdi. (He/she suddenly/quickly opened the door.)

In formal writing, vermek is often replaced by more specific verbs like 'sunmak' (to present) or 'iletmek' (to transmit), but in daily conversation, vermek is the workhorse. You will use it for 'giving a break' (ara vermek), 'giving a speech' (konuşma yapmak/vermek), and even 'giving a test' (sınav vermek - though usually students 'take' a test, teachers 'give' it). The verb's conjugation follows the standard vowel harmony rules, making it a perfect model for practicing the Aorist (verir), Present Continuous (veriyor), and Past Tense (verdi).

Imperative Forms
'Ver' (Give - informal), 'Verin' (Give - formal/plural), 'Veriniz' (Give - very formal).

Lütfen bu evrakları müdüre veriniz. (Please give these documents to the manager.)

If you walk through a Turkish 'Pazar' (open-air market), you will hear vermek every few seconds. It is the linguistic currency of commerce. Customers ask for a kilo of apples by saying 'Bir kilo elma verir misin?' and the vendor might respond with the price, expecting you to 'para vermek' (give money). It's not just about the transaction; it's the rhythm of interaction. In a Turkish household, you'll hear it at the dinner table: 'Tuzu verir misin?' (Can you give/pass the salt?).

In Public Transport
In older 'Dolmuş' vans, passengers would pass money forward saying 'Müsait bir yerde verir misiniz?' referring to the change or the stop itself.

Şoför bey, bir kişi uzatır mısınız? (Driver, can you pass [the money] for one person? - closely related to 'vermek').

On Turkish news channels, you'll hear 'bilgi vermek' (to give information) or 'son dakika haberi vermek' (to give breaking news). It's the standard verb for broadcasting. In the corporate world, 'onay vermek' (to give approval) is a phrase used daily in emails and meetings. If you are watching a Turkish drama (Dizi), you might hear the dramatic 'Canımı veririm!' (I would give my life!), showcasing the verb's emotional weight. It is also used in the context of 'giving a heart' (gönül vermek), which means to fall in love or to be deeply devoted to a cause.

Hükümet yeni kararlar verdi. (The government gave/made new decisions.)

In schools, teachers 'ödev vermek' (give homework), and students 'cevap vermek' (give answers). Even in sports, a referee 'kart verir' (gives a card). The ubiquity of vermek makes it a 'safe' verb; when in doubt about how to express an output or a transfer, vermek is often the correct choice. It bridges the gap between the physical and the metaphorical effortlessly.

News & Media
'Beyanat vermek' (to give a statement) or 'talimat vermek' (to give instructions).

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with vermek is using the wrong case for the recipient. In English, we say 'Give me the book.' In Turkish, you cannot use the direct object form 'beni'. You must use the dative 'bana'. Saying 'Beni ver' would literally mean 'Give me away' or 'Hand me over,' which is rarely what a student intends to say. This distinction between 'who' (accusative) and 'to whom' (dative) is the primary hurdle.

The 'Make' vs 'Give' Confusion
English speakers often want to use 'yapmak' (to do/make) for 'karar' (decision). In Turkish, you don't 'make' a decision; you 'give' it (karar vermek).

Incorrect: Bir karar yaptım. (I made a decision.)

Correct: Bir karar verdim. (I gave/made a decision.)

Another mistake involves the verb 'ödemek' (to pay). While you can say 'para vermek' (to give money), if you are specifically talking about paying a bill or a debt, 'ödemek' is often more appropriate. However, using vermek isn't wrong; it's just less specific. More importantly, don't confuse vermek with almak (to take/receive). In some languages, these concepts can blur, but in Turkish, they are strictly directional. 'Ver' is away from you; 'Al' is toward you.

Incorrect: Ona kitabı verdim (if you meant 'I took the book from him').

Correct: Ondan kitabı aldım. (I took the book from him.)

Finally, learners often struggle with the 'Tezlik' suffix -i-vermek. They might try to use it with any verb, but it has nuances. It's not just 'doing it quickly'; it often implies a lack of effort or a casual attitude. Using it in a very formal setting might sound too colloquial. Stick to the simple vermek until you are comfortable with the emotional tone of the suffixes.

Vowel Harmony Errors
Remember: ver-ir, ver-di, ver-ecek. Don't let the 'e' in 'ver' turn into 'a' in the suffixes.

While vermek is the general term for giving, Turkish offers a rich palette of alternatives for specific contexts. Choosing the right synonym can elevate your Turkish from 'basic' to 'sophisticated'. For example, if you are giving a gift, you might use 'hediye etmek' (to gift) instead of just 'hediye vermek'. If you are submitting a document to an authority, 'teslim etmek' (to deliver/hand over) is the professional choice.

Sunmak vs. Vermek
Sunmak is 'to present' or 'to offer' (like a presentation or a tray of tea), whereas vermek is just the act of giving.
Bağışlamak vs. Vermek
Bağışlamak means 'to donate' or 'to forgive'. Use it when giving to charity or giving someone your pardon.

Projesini jüriye sunacak. (He/she will present his/her project to the jury.)

In administrative contexts, you might encounter 'tebliğ etmek' (to notify/officially serve a document). In the world of ideas, 'aktarmar' (to transfer/convey) is used when giving information or passing on a story. If you are 'giving' space or 'yielding' in traffic, you use 'yol vermek' (to give way). This specific phrase is vital for driving in Turkey! Another interesting alternative is 'dağıtmak' (to distribute), used when giving something to many people at once, like flyers or cards.

Kızılay'a kan bağışladı. (He/she donated blood to the Red Crescent.)

Lastly, consider 'feda etmek' (to sacrifice). This is 'giving' at its highest emotional and moral level—giving up something valuable for a higher purpose. While vermek is the root of all these actions, mastering the synonyms allows you to describe the 'how' and 'why' of the giving, not just the 'what'.

İletmek
To pass on a message. 'Selamımı ilet' (Give/pass on my greetings).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Lütfen görüşlerinizi bize yazılı olarak veriniz."

Neutral

"Bana tuzu verir misin?"

Informal

"Ver şunu bana!"

Child friendly

"Hadi, oyuncağını arkadaşına ver."

Slang

"Ateş versene."

Fun Fact

The word 'veri' (data) was coined in the 20th century from the root 'ver-' to provide a Turkish equivalent for the Latin 'datum' (something given).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /vɛrˈmɛk/
US /vɛrˈmɛk/
The stress is on the second syllable: ver-MEK.
Rhymes With
germek sermek ermek yermek örmek görmek ölmek gelmek
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'v' like a 'w'.
  • Using a long 'e' like in 'feet'.
  • Heavily rolling the 'r' at the end of the first syllable.
  • Stress on the first syllable.
  • Muffling the final 'k'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

The word is short and very common in all texts.

Writing 2/5

Requires knowledge of the dative case for the recipient.

Speaking 1/5

Pronunciation is straightforward.

Listening 2/5

Can be confused with 'almak' or heard in rapid compound forms.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Ben (I) Sen (You) Su (Water) Kitap (Book) Para (Money)

Learn Next

Almak (To take) Etmek (To do/mak
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Examples by Level

1

Bana kitabı ver.

Give me the book.

Uses the dative 'bana' (to me) and imperative 'ver'.

2

Annem bana elma verdi.

My mother gave me an apple.

Past tense 'verdi'.

3

Lütfen kalemini verir misin?

Could you please give your pen?

Polite question with aorist '-ir'.

4

Kediye süt veriyorum.

I am giving milk to the cat.

Present continuous '-iyor'.

5

Babam para verdi.

My father gave money.

Subject-Object-Verb order.

6

Ona bir hediye ver.

Give him/her a gift.

Dative 'ona' (to him/her).

7

Suyu masaya ver.

Give/put the water on the table.

Contextual use of giving as placing.

8

Bize çay ver.

Give us tea.

Dative 'bize' (to us).

1

Dün bir karar verdim.

I made (gave) a decision yesterday.

Compound verb: karar vermek.

2

Ali'ye haber verdin mi?

Did you inform (give news to) Ali?

Compound verb: haber vermek.

3

Öğretmen çok ödev verdi.

The teacher gave a lot of homework.

Common educational context.

4

Bu çiçekler çok güzel koku veriyor.

These flowers give (emit) a very beautiful scent.

Vermek used as 'to emit'.

5

Yarın ona cevap vereceğim.

I will give him/her an answer tomorrow.

Future tense '-ecek'.

6

Lütfen beş dakika ara verelim.

Please let's take (give) a five-minute break.

Optative 'verelim' (let's give).

7

Garsona sipariş veriyoruz.

We are giving an order to the waiter.

Compound verb: sipariş vermek.

8

Bana söz ver.

Give me your word (Promise me).

Idiomatic use: söz vermek.

1

Onu hemen yapıverdi.

He/she did it quickly/suddenly.

Tezlik Fiili: -i-vermek.

2

Toplantıda bir konuşma verdi.

He/she gave a speech at the meeting.

Formal use for 'giving a talk'.

3

Bu ağaç her yıl meyve verir.

This tree gives fruit every year.

Aorist '-ir' for general truths.

4

Bana biraz borç verir misin?

Could you lend (give debt) me some money?

Idiom: borç vermek.

5

Kitabı kütüphaneye geri verdi.

He/she gave the book back to the library.

Geri vermek (to give back/return).

6

Polis ona ceza verdi.

The police gave him/her a fine.

Ceza vermek (to punish/fine).

7

Güneş dünyaya ısı verir.

The sun gives heat to the world.

Scientific fact using 'vermek'.

8

Ona bir şans daha vermelisin.

You should give him/her one more chance.

Necessity mood '-meli'.

1

Bu konuda taviz vermemeliyiz.

We should not give concessions on this matter.

Taviz/Ödün vermek.

2

Sınavda tüm cevapları doğru verdi.

He/she gave all the correct answers in the exam.

Cevap vermek in an academic context.

3

Şirket bu yıl kâr verdi.

The company yielded profit this year.

Economic context: kâr vermek.

4

Düşmanına açık vermek istemiyordu.

He didn't want to give a opening (reveal a weakness) to his enemy.

Idiom: açık vermek.

5

Bana çok büyük bir umut verdin.

You gave me a very great hope.

Abstract giving.

6

Hükümet istifa kararı verdi.

The government decided (gave the decision) to resign.

Formal political context.

7

Kendini işine verdi.

He gave (devoted) himself to his work.

Reflexive use: kendini vermek.

8

Bu olay ona büyük bir ders verdi.

This event gave him a great lesson.

Ders vermek (to teach a lesson).

1

Yazar bu eserinde topluma mesaj veriyor.

The author is giving a message to society in this work.

Mesaj vermek (to convey a message).

2

Müdür bey yeni talimatlar verdi.

The manager gave new instructions.

Talimat vermek (to instruct).

3

Sanatçı şarkıya can verdi.

The artist gave life to the song.

Idiom: can vermek (to bring to life).

4

Bu veriler bize ışık verecek.

These data will give us light (shed light on the situation).

Metaphorical use: ışık vermek.

5

Mahkeme nihai kararını verdi.

The court gave its final decision.

Legal context.

6

Toplumun değerlerine önem vermeliyiz.

We must give importance (value) to society's values.

Önem vermek (to value/prioritize).

7

Ona el verdi ve mesleği öğretti.

He mentored him (gave hand) and taught the profession.

Idiom: el vermek.

8

Duygularını dışa vurmak yerine içine verdi.

Instead of expressing his feelings, he turned them inward.

Psychological context.

1

Vatanı uğruna canını verdi.

He gave his life for the sake of his homeland.

Canını vermek (to sacrifice one's life).

2

Bu şiir, şairin ruh halini ele veriyor.

This poem gives away (betrays) the poet's state of mind.

Ele vermek (to betray/reveal).

3

Meseleyi etraflıca ele alıp hüküm verdiler.

They handled the matter thoroughly and gave a verdict.

Hüküm vermek (to judge/decree).

4

Yıllarını bu araştırmaya verdi.

He gave (dedicated) his years to this research.

Time dedication.

5

Gönül verdiği kadınla evlendi.

He married the woman he gave his heart to.

Gönül vermek (to love/be devoted).

6

Siyasetçi, halka güven vermeye çalışıyor.

The politician is trying to give (inspire) confidence to the public.

Güven vermek (to inspire trust).

7

Eski binalar sarsıntıda açık verdi.

The old buildings showed weaknesses (gave way) during the tremor.

Technical/Structural context.

8

Bu eser, dönemin zihniyetine dair ipuçları veriyor.

This work gives clues about the mindset of the period.

İpucu vermek (to give clues).

Common Collocations

Karar vermek
Haber vermek
Söz vermek
Ara vermek
Selam vermek
Cevap vermek
Para vermek
Önem vermek
Zarar vermek
İsim vermek

Common Phrases

Can vermek

— To die or to give life/revitalize something.

Susuz çiçeklere su vererek onlara can verdi.

El vermek

— To help or to pass on a spiritual/professional tradition.

Usta, çırağına el verdi.

Yol vermek

— To give way in traffic or to fire someone.

Kırmızı arabaya yol verdim.

Gönül vermek

— To love or be devoted to something/someone.

Bu işe gönül verdi.

Omuz vermek

— To support or help someone with a burden.

Arkadaşına bu zor gününde omuz verdi.

Aman vermemek

— To show no mercy or give no respite.

Düşmana aman vermediler.

Ele vermek

— To betray someone or reveal a secret.

Suç ortağını ele verdi.

Kulak vermek

— To listen carefully or pay attention.

Annesinin öğütlerine kulak verdi.

Ödün vermek

— To make a compromise or concession.

Prensiplerinden ödün vermedi.

Bel vermek

— To sag or bend (usually for walls or structures).

Eski tavan iyice bel vermiş.

Idioms & Expressions

"Canını dişine takmak"

— To work extremely hard, giving everything.

Sınavı kazanmak için canını dişine taktı.

Informal
"Verip veriştirmek"

— To scold someone severely or say everything on one's mind.

Müdür, geç kalan memura verip veriştirdi.

Informal
"Ağız birliği etmek"

— To agree to say the same thing (giving the same story).

Çocuklar yalan söylemek için ağız birliği etmişler.

Neutral
"Gözdağı vermek"

— To intimidate or threaten someone.

Rakiplerine gözdağı verdi.

Neutral
"Başa baş vermek"

— To consult or work together closely.

İki kardeş başa baş verip dükkanı açtılar.

Neutral
"Ekmek elden su gölden"

— Living off others without working (everything given).

Onun hayatı ekmek elden su gölden.

Colloquial
"Fire vermek"

— To lose some parts during a process (wastage).

Üretim sırasında çok fire verdik.

Technical
"Meydan vermek"

— To cause or allow something bad to happen.

Dedikodulara meydan vermeyin.

Formal
"Renk vermemek"

— To not show one's feelings or intentions.

Çok şaşırdı ama hiç renk vermedi.

Neutral
"Yüz vermek"

— To spoil someone or give them too much attention.

Çocuğa çok yüz veriyorsun.

Informal

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

Related

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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'VER-y generous'. A person who is VERy generous likes to VERmek.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant hand extending from the letter 'V' in 'Vermek' and handing a gift to a person.

Word Web

Hediye (Gift) Para (Money) Karar (Decision) Haber (News) Söz (Promise) Cevap (Answer) Ara (Break) Selam (Greeting)

Challenge

Try to use 'vermek' in three different ways today: once for a physical object, once for a decision, and once for a greeting.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Turkic root 'ber-' or 'be-'. It has been a core verb in Turkic languages for over a millennium.

Original meaning: To give, to hand over, to pay.

Turkic

Cultural Context

Be careful with 'yüz vermek' (giving face/spoiling), as it can be used as a criticism of parenting or management.

English speakers might find 'karar vermek' (giving a decision) strange since they 'make' decisions, but it's similar to 'handing down a verdict'.

The song 'Verme' by various Turkish artists. The proverb: 'Veren el, alan elden üstündür' (The giving hand is superior to the receiving hand). Nazım Hikmet's poetry often uses 'vermek' in the context of sacrifice.
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