“ile” & -(y)lA
A1
Postpositions
Turkish uses two parallel forms to express accompaniment, means, and instrumentality: the postposition ile and its bound counterpart -(y)lA. These two forms are functionally equivalent and attach either as an independent word or as a suffix.
1. Function / Meaning
Both ile and -(y)lA mark:
• accompaniment (“with someone”)
• instrument or means (“by/with using something”)
• connection or association
The meaning remains constant regardless of whether the free form or bound form is used.
2. Free Form: ile
ile appears after the noun as an independent postposition:
kitap ile
arkadaş ile
araba ile
The form ile does not change and does not undergo vowel harmony.
Case and possessive morphology attach to the noun, not to ile:
arkadaşı ile
evim ile
3. Bound Form: -(y)lA
The suffix -(y)lA attaches directly to the noun.
The vowel A follows two-way harmony:
a / ı / o / u → -la
e / i / ö / ü → -le
Examples:
kitap → kitapla
araba → arabayla / arabayla
ev → evle
göl → gölle
4. Buffer Consonant y
When the noun ends in a vowel, the suffix begins with y:
araba → arabayla
baba → babayla
elma → elmayla
This is the standard phonological rule; the y buffer prevents vowel hiatus.
5. Distribution
ile and -(y)lA are interchangeable in most contexts.
The suffixal form is more tightly integrated and often preferred in everyday usage, while the free form appears equally valid and neutral.
No semantic difference exists between the two; distribution is stylistic.
6. Plural and Possessive Forms
The suffix attaches after plural or possessive markers:
çocuklar → çocuklarla
arkadaşım → arkadaşımla
eviniz → evinizle
The free form remains separate:
çocuklar ile
arkadaşım ile
eviniz ile
Examples
• Arkadaşımla geldim. — I came with my friend.
• Seninle konuşmak istiyorum. — I want to speak with you.
• Onlarla çalışıyoruz. — We are working with them.
• Kalemle yazıyorum. — I am writing with a pen.
• Arabayla gidiyoruz. — We are going by car.
• Kitap ile defteri aldım. — I took the book and the notebook.
• Evimle işim arasında mesafe var. — There is distance between my home and my work.
Notes
• ile is an independent postposition; -(y)lA is its suffixal equivalent.
• The vowel in -(y)lA follows two-way harmony (a / e).
• The buffer y appears after vowel-final nouns.
• Both forms are functionally equivalent.
• Case and possessive suffixes attach to the noun, not to ile.
ile – FAQ (A1)
Q: What does ile mean in Turkish?
A: ile means “with” and is used to show accompaniment, instrument, or means.
Q: What is the difference between ile and -(y)lA?
A: There is no difference in meaning. ile is written as a separate word, while -(y)lA is attached to the noun.
Q: When is the buffer consonant -y- used with -(y)lA?
A: The buffer consonant -y- is used when the noun ends in a vowel.