Language/Kazakh/Grammar/Instrumental-Case

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Kazakh Grammar → Kazakh Cases → Instrumental Case

The Kazakh instrumental case is used to indicate the means, tools, or instruments used to perform an action. It is also used to describe the method of an action or to specify a circumstance under which the action occurs. In this lesson, we will learn how to form and use the Kazakh instrumental case.

Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Questions & Stress and Intonation.

Forming the Instrumental Case

The instrumental case suffix is "-мен/-менің" for the singular and "-бен/-бенің" for the plural. To form the instrumental case, simply add the appropriate suffix to the end of the noun. For example:

• жазба (book) → жазбамен (with a book)
• ой (moon) → ойбенің (with the moon)

Note that there are some irregularities in the formation of the instrumental case, especially for nouns that end in vowels. Please refer to a comprehensive Kazakh grammar book for more details.

Using the Instrumental Case

The instrumental case is used to denote means, methods, and tools, as well as to describe circumstances and conditions. Here are some examples:

Means/Tools

• Сіз гашықтық пікірлеріңізді моқ емес, жоқшылдық пікірлерімен айтуыңыз керек. (You need to express yourself not with abstract ideas, but with critical opinions.)
• Ол масаған төсектермен толтырылған. (The table was filled with dishes.)
• Мен білімімді компьютерді қолдана отырып арттырғанмын. (I have expanded my knowledge by using a computer.)

Methods/Circumstances

• Оның шынымен айтқанда, маған қарсы тапсырмалары болып табылады. (When she speaks the truth, she gets assignments against me.)
• Бүгін мектепке басқарушымен өтіп, оқушыларға тәрбиелеу жоспарын талқылады. (Today, he met with the school director and discussed the plan for educating students.)
• Машина шәкірттер топтасында өткенде, артқа көрінбеген жүрмеіміз қалды. (When the car passed the protesters, we were left behind.)

Exceptions and Special Cases

There are a few exceptional uses of the instrumental case worth noting:

Adverbial Function

Sometimes, the instrumental case can be used in an adverbial function when it modifies a verb. For example:

• Осылайша парақшаларды оқиға туралы білімді бөлісуде пайдаланамыз. (We use newspapers like this to share knowledge about events.)
• Оған нақты санақ мәзірін пайдаланады. (He uses an exact date for his argument.)

With Postpositions

The instrumental case is also used with some postpositions, which are similar to prepositions in English. The most common postpositions used with the instrumental case are:

• менен (with)
• бірге (together with)
• ғана/қана (only with)

Here are some example sentences:

• Студенттер менен дискуссиялар дайындап келу керек. (Students need to be prepared to discuss things with.)
• Сізге бірге келеміз келетін болғандарды таңдаңыз. (Choose the ones you want to come with you.)
• Қанша танылған жарамсыз жұртқа….ол жеке материалдармен ұсынылады. (How much do you know about the unreliable person...he only provides private material.)

Conclusion

In conclusion, the instrumental case is a crucial part of Kazakh language and is frequently used in daily conversation. By learning the instrumental case, you will be able to communicate more effectively and express yourself in a more precise and nuanced way.

Sources

• A Grammar of Kazakh Zura Dotton, Ph.D John Doyle Wagner
• Kazakh language - Wikipedia
• Intermediate Kazakh - Language Canvas

Impressive work on finishing this lesson! Explore these additional pages to enhance your understanding: Plurals & Future Tense.

Table of Contents - Kazakh Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Kazakh Pronunciation

• Consonants
• Vowels
• Stress and Intonation

  ---

Greetings and Basic Expressions

• Meeting and Greeting
• Expressions for Asking Questions
• Numbers and Counting

  ---

Kazakh Cases

• Nominative Case
• Accusative Case
• Genitive Case
• Dative Case
• Locative Case
• Instrumental Case

  ---

Food and Drink

• Basic Food Vocabulary
• Restaurant Phrases
• Cooking Verbs

  ---

Verbs

• Present Tense
• Past Tense
• Future Tense
• Imperative Mood

  ---

Traditions and Customs

• Wedding Celebrations
• Festivals and Holidays
• Music and Dance
• Cuisine and Culinary Art

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Basic Family Vocabulary
• Romantic Relationships
• Friendship and Socializing

  ---

Adjectives

• Attributive and Predicative Adjectives
• Comparative and Superlative Degrees
• Possessive Adjectives

  ---

Traveling and Directions

• Transportation Vocabulary
• Asking for and Giving Directions
• Accommodation and Lodging

  ---

Pronouns

• Personal Pronouns
• Demonstrative Pronouns

  ---

Shopping and Consumerism

• Basic Shopping Vocabulary
• Sizes and Measurements
• Money and Payments

  ---

Art and Literature

• Famous Writers and Poets
• Folk Tales and Legends
• Visual Arts and Crafts

  ---

Adverbs

• General Adverbs
• Temporal Adverbs
• Modal Adverbs

  ---

Health and Medical Emergencies

• Basic Medical Vocabulary
• Expressions for Medical Emergencies

  ---

Sports and Recreation

• Popular Sports in Kazakhstan
• Traditional Games and Pastimes
• Entertainment and Nightlife

  ---

Prepositions and Postpositions

• Simple Prepositions
• Compound Prepositions and Postpositions

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Nature and Environment

• Basic Nature Vocabulary
• Weather Expressions
• Ecology and Conservation Terms

Other Lessons

• Temporal Adverbs
• Nouns
• Comparative and Superlative Degrees
• Attributive and Predicative Adjectives
• Plurals
• Adjectives
• Demonstrative Pronouns
• General Adverbs
• Consonants
• Negation

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