Necessity: -meli / -malı
A2
Verbs
The suffix -meli / -malı expresses necessity, obligation, or strong expectation. It derives modal predicates that indicate what is required, advisable, or logically necessary in a given situation.
1. Function
The suffix encodes necessity modality, marking an action or state as obligatory, expected, or required.
Interpretation depends on context and may range from strong advice to logical necessity.
2. Forms
The suffix has two allomorphs determined by two-way vowel harmony:
Back vowels (a, ı, o, u) → -malı
Front vowels (e, i, ö, ü) → -meli
Examples:
• bak → bakmalı
• yaz → yazmalı
• gel → gelmeli
• düşün → düşünmeli
• gör → görmeli
3. Morphology
3.1. Vowel Harmony
Final vowel back → -malı
Final vowel front → -meli
The suffix attaches directly to the verb stem without internal alternation.
3.2. Person Marking
Since -meli / -malı ends in a vowel, 1st singular and 1st plural forms require the buffer consonant y.
Personal endings follow the nominal predication pattern:
1sg → -yim
2sg → -sin
3sg → ∅
1pl → -yiz
2pl → -siniz
3pl → -ler / -lar (optional)
Examples:
• Gitmeliyim. (I must go.)
• Dinlemelisin. (You must listen.)
• Hazır olmalı. (He/She must be ready.)
• Başlamalıyız. (We must start.)
• Gitmelisiniz. (You must go.)
• Gelmeliler / Gelmeli. (They must come.)
4. Syntax
The necessity suffix forms the main predicate:
Verb stem + -meli / -malı + person marker
Examples:
• Erken yatmalısın. (You must go to bed early.)
• Daha dikkatli olmalıyız. (We must be more careful.)
The construction does not combine with tense or aspect marking; the modal meaning overrides them.
5. Distribution and Interpretation
The suffix expresses:
• obligation
• responsibility
• strong recommendation
• normative expectation
• logical necessity
Examples:
• Bu konuda konuşmalıyız. (We must talk about this.)
• Daha fazla çalışmalısın. (You must study more.)
• Dikkatli olunmalı. (One must be careful.)
Impersonal uses are frequent in general statements.
6. Negation
Negation precedes the modal suffix:
verb + -ma / -me + -malı / -meli + person
Examples:
• Gitmemeliyim. (I must not go.)
• Yapmamalısın. (You must not do it.)
• Devam etmemeli. (He/She must not continue.)
• Geç kalmamalıyız. (We must not be late.)
Examples
• Çalışmalıyım. (I must work.)
• Erken uyanmalısın. (You must wake up early.)
• Toplantı başlamalı. (The meeting must start.)
• Daha dikkatli olmalıyız. (We must be more careful.)
• Sağlıklı beslenmelisiniz. (You must eat healthily.)
• Kimse geç kalmamalı. (No one must be late.)
Notes
• The suffix derives modal predicates expressing necessity.
• Person marking follows the nominal predicate system and uses buffer y where required.
• Negation attaches before the modal suffix.
• The form does not combine with tense or aspect morphology.
Necessity (-meli / -malı) – FAQ (A2)
Q: What does the suffix -meli / -malı express in Turkish?
A: It expresses necessity, obligation, strong recommendation, or logical requirement.
Q: How do you choose between -meli and -malı?
A: The choice depends on vowel harmony: front vowels take -meli, back vowels take -malı.
Q: Where does negation appear with -meli / -malı?
A: Negation comes before the necessity suffix, using -ma / -me.