bir
/bir/
The Turkish indefinite article 'a' is expressed by bir.
The word bir functions as an indefinite article used before a singular countable noun to refer to a single person or thing. It can also mean the number 'one' depending on the context of the sentence.
Which one should you use?
While bir can serve as the indefinite article 'a/an', it is also used to denote the specific number 'one'.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike in English, the indefinite article bir does not change based on whether the following noun starts with a vowel or a consonant.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /bir/. The /b/ sound is like the 'b' in 'about' and the /i/ sound is like the 'ee' in 'creek'.
Did you know?
- While bir usually means 'a' or 'one', when it is used as an adjective to describe a quality, it can mean 'unique' or 'peerless'.
- In Turkish, if you want to emphasize that something is 'a certain' thing, you might use bir in a way that sounds like you are being mysterious or secretive.
- The word bir is inherited from Proto-Turkic *bīr.
Examples in context
- O bir suç mu?Is that a crime?This example shows how to use bir to ask if something is a crime.Tatoeba #2012294 by duran, translation #1886918 by CK
- O bir söz mü?Is that a promise?This example shows how to use bir to ask if something is a promise.Tatoeba #2030286 by duran, translation #1886913 by CK
- O bir kedi mi?Is that a cat?This example shows how to use bir to ask if something is a cat.Tatoeba #1251338 by duran, translation #67092 by CK
- Bir şans daha ister misiniz?Would you like one more chance?
- Bi tane kahve, lütfen.One coffee, please.
- ananasPineapple
- aşkLove
- Ahmet, arabasını sattı ve yeni bir tane aldı.Ahmet sold his car and bought a new one.
- İyi şanslar!Good luck!
- 15676 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elif and Burak are looking at a photo in a cafe.
- ElifBu bir fotoğraf mı?Is this a photo?
- BurakEvet, bu bir hatıra.Yes, this is a memory.
- ElifÇok güzel bir resim.It is a very beautiful picture.
- BurakTeşekkürler, Elif.Thanks, Elif.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
