Language/Turkish/Grammar/Conditional-Sentences

Turkish Grammar → Complex Grammar → Conditional Sentences

As a Turkish language teacher for the past 20 years, I have learned that one of the most challenging topics for beginners is complex grammar. In this lesson, we will be discussing conditional sentences, a vital part of Turkish grammar that will help you express potential scenarios and hypothetical situations.

What are Conditional Sentences?

Conditional sentences are used to describe a hypothetical situation or a condition that must be met for something to happen. In Turkish, these sentences take a specific form that differs from the direct statements we normally use in everyday conversation.

How to Form Conditional Sentences

In Turkish, we use the "Eğer" (if) conjunction at the beginning of a conditional sentence. Here is an example of a simple conditional sentence:

• Eğer yarın güzel bir hava olursa, pikniğe gideriz. (If the weather is nice tomorrow, we will go on a picnic)

There are three types of conditional sentences in Turkish, categorized based on the possibility of the condition happening:

1. Zero Conditional: Used for situations that are always true or situations that happen repeatedly 2. First Conditional: Used for possible or likely situations in the future 3. Second Conditional: Used for unlikely or impossible situations in the future

Let's look at the three types of conditional sentences in more detail:

Zero Conditional

This type of conditional sentence is used to describe situations that are always true or situations that happen repeatedly. In Turkish, the zero conditional is easy to form:

• Form: Present tense + present tense

Let's look at an example:

• Eğer elma yersek, mutlu oluruz. (If we eat apples, we will be happy)

In this example, we are using the present tense for both the condition and the result. Because the statement is always true, we can use the simple present tense.

Here are some more examples:

Turkish	Pronunciation	English
Eğer suya girersen, ıslanırsın.	Ejer sueya gheerershen, ıslanırsın	If you enter the water, you will get wet.
Eğer her gün spor yaparsan, fit kalırsın.	Ejer her gün spor yaparshan, fit khalırsın	If you exercise every day, you will stay fit.

First Conditional

The first conditional is used to describe possible or likely situations in the future. In Turkish, the first conditional is formed like this:

• Form: Present tense + future tense

Let's look at some examples:

• Eğer yarın güzel bir hava olursa, sinemaya gideriz. (If the weather is nice tomorrow, we will go to the cinema.)

• Eğer sınava çalışırsan, iyi bir not alırsın. (If you study for the exam, you will get a good grade.)

Here are some more examples:

Turkish	Pronunciation	English
Eğer onu davet edersen, partiye gelir.	Ejer onu davet edersen, partye gelir	If you invite her, she will come to the party.
Eğer yarın çalışırsak, projeyi tamamlarız.	Ejer yarın çalışırshak, projei tamamlarız	If we work tomorrow, we will complete the project.

Second Conditional

The second conditional is used to describe hypothetical or impossible situations in the future. In Turkish, the second conditional is formed like this:

• Form: Past tense + conditional mood

Let's look at some examples:

• Eğer para kazansam, tatile giderim. (If I earned money, I would go for a vacation.)

• Eğer şarkı söyleyebilseydim, ünlü bir şarkıcı olurdum. (If I could sing, I would be a famous singer.)

Here are some more examples:

Turkish	Pronunciation	English
Eğer zamanım olsa, daha çok kitap okurdum.	Ejer zamanım olsa, daha tshok kitap okurdum	If I had more time, I would read more books.
Eğer uçabilseydik, dünyayı gezerdik.	Ejer uchabilseydik, dünyaı gezerdik	If we could fly, we would travel around the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, conditional sentences are an essential part of Turkish grammar that you'll need to master. By using these sentences, you'll be able to express hypothetical situations and potential scenarios in your conversations. Practice forming and using these sentences regularly, and you'll find that they become second nature in no time.

Sources

• Lesson 46:Conditional tense in Turkish ... - MY TURKISH COURSE
• Turkish Conditionals - If Clause [Real & Unreal - Turkishaholic]
• Turkish - How to make conditional sentences

Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Nouns & Present Continuous in Turkish.

Table of Contents - Turkish Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Turkish Alphabet

• Vowels and Consonants
• Pronunciation

  ---

Basic Grammar

• Nouns
• Verbs
• Adjectives
• Pronouns

  ---

Complex Grammar

• Cases
• Participles
• Conditional Sentences

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Everyday Phrases

• Greeting
• Asking for Directions
• Food and Drink
• Shopping

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Cardinal Numbers
• Ordinal Numbers
• Time

  ---

Turkish Culture

• History and Geography
• Traditions and Customs
• Cuisine
• Arts and Festivals

  ---

Daily Life

• Housing
• Family and Relationships
• Religion
• Transportation and Travel

Other Lessons

• Past Tense
• Nouns
• Vowels and Consonants
• Give your Opinion
• Negation
• Count from 1 to 10
• Personal Pronouns
• Prepositions
• Participles
• The Inclusive Case in Turkish