Verb Endings

Pick the right vowel instead of guessing the suffix

This is the page for the exact moment you get stuck while conjugating. Check the last vowel, pick the matching suffix family, then add tense and person in order.

Quick Glance

Core rule: do not stare at the whole word. Only check the last vowel of the form you have built so far.

StemTensePerson
iç + iyor + um

Need help choosing the tense itself? Use the present tense guide.

Quick Answer

The rule in one sentence

Whenever you add a new ending, you choose its vowel from the last vowel in the form you have built up to that point.

Build order

Verb stem+Tense ending+Person ending

This is the core build order for Turkish verb forms: stem first, then tense, then person.

Remember

  • `y` is not a vowel.
  • The vowel that matters can change after you have already added a suffix.
  • Capital placeholders like `I` or `A` mean vowel harmony applies here.

Decision Panel

The vowel map for common endings

This map shows which ending form in the continuous, past, and future fits which last vowel. These groups exist because of vowel harmony.

First find the verb stem, then check the last vowel in that stem. Example: içmek → iç (last vowel: i), konuşmak → konuş (last vowel: u).

If the last vowel is ...

e/
i

Then use ...

continuous

-iyor

past

-di

future

-ecek

If the last vowel is ...

a/
ı

Then use ...

continuous

-ıyor

past

-dı

future

-acak

If the last vowel is ...

o/
u

Then use ...

continuous

-uyor

past

-du

future

-acak

If the last vowel is ...

ö/
ü

Then use ...

continuous

-üyor

past

-dü

future

-ecek

Note: the simple present (aorist) is not always as regular as these examples. For the exact aorist form and the difference from `-yor`, see the present tense page.

Build It

From bare stem to full conjugation

The goal is the correct full verb form for a specific person. Build it in the same order every time: stem, tense, then the person ending that matches the pronoun.

Step 1

Find the stem

içmek → iç / konuşmak → konuş

Step 2

Pick the tense with the matching harmony vowel

iç → içiyor / konuş → konuşuyor

Step 3

Attach the person ending for Ben

içiyor + (I)m → içiyorum

konuşuyor + (I)m → konuşuyorum

Result

This is the full form for Ben

içmek

içiyorum

konuşmak

konuşuyorum

Choose a pronoun

Choose a pronoun. The example on the left updates immediately so you can see the person ending and the full form change.

Watch Out

The mistakes learners actually make

These mistakes usually happen because the learner checks the wrong part of the word, not because the rule itself is complex.

Mistake 1

Forgetting the harmony vowel before `-yor`

gelyorum → geliyorum

Mistake 2

Checking the wrong vowel

yapiyorum → yapıyorum

Mistake 3

Guessing the aorist from memory

For special cases, check the real verb page instead of trusting a vague memory.

içmekkonuşmak

Interactive Lab

Put the theory into practice

Drill vowel harmony step by step: pick the tense suffix, choose the person ending, type the full form – all with instant feedback.

Start practising