Grammar
Demonstrative pronouns (işaret zamirleri) point to specific people or things. The main ones are bu (this), şu (that - often nearby or just mentioned), and o (that - further away, or also the personal pronoun 'he/she/it').
Basic Forms:
- Bu: This (plural: bunlar - these)
- Şu: That (nearby) (plural: şunlar - those nearby)
- O: That (far) (plural: onlar - those far, also 'they')
Declension:
Demonstrative pronouns decline for case like nouns. When adding suffixes starting with a vowel, the buffer consonant 'n' is often used before the case ending.
Bu (This)
| Case | Singular (Bu) | Plural (Bunlar) |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | Bu | Bunlar |
| Genitive | Bunun | Bunların |
| Accusative | Bunu | Bunları |
| Dative | Buna | Bunlara |
| Locative | Bunda | Bunlarda |
| Ablative | Bundan | Bunlardan |
Şu and O (as a demonstrative) decline similarly to "Bu," using the same buffer 'n' and case endings, respecting vowel harmony.
Example (Şu): Şunun, Şunu, Şuna, Şunda, Şundan. (Plural: Şunların, Şunları, Şunlara, Şunlarda, Şunlardan)
Example (O): Onun, Onu, Ona, Onda, Ondan. (Plural: Onların, Onları, Onlara, Onlarda, Onlardan)
Usage Notes:
- When used as adjectives before a noun, demonstratives do not take plural or case suffixes. Example: Bu kitap (This book), O evler (Those houses).
Practice Zone
1. How do you say 'these' (plural of 'this - bu')?
2. How do you say 'those' (plural of 'that - o', far)?