-e
/ˈ-e/
In Turkish, the preposition "to" is expressed through the suffixes -e and -a. Wiktionary also lists -ye and -ya.
Meaning: in the direction of, and arriving at (prep)
Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| -e | /ˈ-e/ |
| -a | /ɑ/ |
| -ye | /je/ (from spelling rules) |
| -ya | /ja/ (from spelling rules) |
These suffixes are used to indicate movement in the direction of a place or the act of arriving at a destination.
Which one should you use?
The standard directional suffixes are -e and -a. However, if the word ends in a vowel, you must use the buffer versions -ye or -ya.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
These suffixes function as directional case markers that attach to the end of a noun. They must follow the rules of vowel harmony. When the preceding word ends in a vowel, the buffer forms -ye or -ya are inserted between the word and the suffix.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈ-e/
Did you know?
- In Turkish, the directional suffix -e is often used in expressions of preference, such as saying 'I prefer this' by literally saying 'this is more pleasing to me'.
- The directional suffixes -e and -a can be used to express the time at which something happens, such as saying 'until ten o'clock' by using the directional form of the number.
- Turkish grammar uses these directional suffixes to create 'allative' meanings, which combine the concepts of 'towards' and 'into' into one single marker.
Examples in context
- Davetiye Ahmet'e iletildi.The invitation was delivered to Ahmet.
- Mesaj Melis'e gönderildi.The message was sent to Melis.
- Kahveye gidelim mi?Shall we go to the café?
- Eve gidiyorum.I am going home.
- İstanbul'a gidiyorum.I am going to Istanbul.
- Denize bakıyorum.I am looking at the sea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “to” translations and entries -e, -a, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
