Grammar
The reflexive pronoun in Turkish is kendi. It means "self" (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves, themselves).
"Kendi" is used to emphasize that the subject is performing an action on themselves, or to emphasize the subject itself.
Usage with Possessive Suffixes:
"Kendi" must always be used with a possessive suffix to specify whose "self" it is.
| Turkish | English |
|---|---|
| Kendim | Myself |
| Kendin | Yourself (singular, informal) |
| Kendisi | Himself / Herself / Itself |
| Kendimiz | Ourselves |
| Kendiniz | Yourselves (plural or singular formal) |
| Kendileri | Themselves |
Declension:
The "kendi + possessive suffix" combination then declines for case like a regular noun.
Example with "Kendim" (Myself):- Nominative: Kendim (Myself)
- Genitive: Kendimin (Of myself)
- Accusative: Kendimi (Myself - direct object)
- Dative: Kendime (To myself)
- Locative: Kendimde (On myself, in myself)
- Ablative: Kendimden (From myself)
- Ben kendime bir hediye aldım. (I bought a gift for myself.)
- O, kendini savundu. (He defended himself.)
- Bu yemeği kendimiz yaptık. (We made this meal ourselves.) - Emphatic use.
- Kendine iyi bak. (Take care of yourself.)
Practice Zone
1. How do you say 'myself' using 'kendi'?
2. How do you say 'yourself' (informal singular) using 'kendi'?