benim
/be.nim/
The Turkish word for "my" is benim.
benim is used to express that something belongs to me. It is the possessive form of the first-person singular pronoun ben (I).
Meaning: belonging to me (det)
Which one should you use?
While benim can be used to show possession, it is often used to add emphasis to the fact that the object belongs to me. In neutral, standard sentences, Turkish speakers typically use the possessive suffix -im attached directly to a noun instead of the standalone word benim.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Turkish, the possessive suffix -im is often used instead of the word benim to express "my" when attached to a noun. The word benim is a pronoun-based possessive form.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /be.nim/. The sound is like the 'b' in a[b]out, the 'n' in [n]ot, the 'i' in cr[ee]k and the 'm' in [m]uch.
Did you know?
- In Turkish, the word ben also means 'mole' or 'birthmark' on the skin.
- Traces of this word can be found in the Orkhon inscriptions, dating back to the 8th century, written in the Old Turkic script.
- While a learner might use benim to mean 'mine', in many Turkish sentences, the word is completely omitted because the suffix on the noun does all the work.
Examples in context
- O benim hatam mı?Is that my fault?This sentence shows how to use benim to ask about a fault.Tatoeba #3863088 by duran, translation #3824725 by CK
- O benim kupam mı?Is that my mug?This sentence shows how to use benim to ask about a mug.Tatoeba #4553304 by duran, translation #2649138 by CK
- O benim ilk aşkım.He's my first love.This sentence shows how to use benim to describe a first love.Tatoeba #1715682 by User20656, translation #541871 by CH
- Benim kitabımMy book
- Benim evlerimMy houses
- Benim arabamMy car
- Süt, benimkiThe milk is mine
- Benim arkadaşlarımMy friends
- Benim telefonumMy phone
- Benim kalemlerimMy pencils
- Benim köpeğimMy dog
- Benim ailemMy family
- 4202 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Can and Elif are looking for a lost notebook in the living room.
- CanBenim defterim nerede?Where is my notebook?
- ElifBenim gördüğüm bir defter yok.I don't see any notebook.
- CanBenim en sevdiğim defterdi.It was my favorite notebook.
- ElifCan, senin defterin masada duruyor.Can, your notebook is on the table.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “my” translations and entries benim, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries benim, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
