Simple Past (-di)
A2
Verbs
The simple past suffix -DI attaches directly to the verb stem and marks completed actions or states in the past. The suffix contains the consonant D/T and a vowel determined by vowel harmony.
1. Function
The simple past indicates an event or state that occurred and was completed in the past.
The suffix carries tense, while person is marked through personal endings.
2. Forms
a. Consonant Alternation (D ↔ T)
D becomes T after voiceless consonants (ç, f, h, k, p, s, ş, t).
Examples:
bak- → baktı
git- → gitti
b. Vowel Harmony (I → ı / i / u / ü)
a / ı → dı
e / i → di
o / u → du
ö / ü → dü
Combined with consonant alternation:
tı / ti / tu / tü
dı / di / du / dü
3. Person Endings
1st singular
-(I)m → dım / dim / dum / düm
2nd singular
-(I)n → dın / din / dun / dün
3rd singular
-∅ → dı / di / du / dü
1st plural
-(I)k → dık / dik / duk / dük
2nd plural
-(I)nIz → dınız / diniz / dunuz / dünüz
3rd plural
-lAr → dılar / diler / dular / düler
Consonant alternation (t/d) applies systematically.
4. Stem Changes
Some stems undergo consonant softening before vowel-initial personal endings:
git-ti-m → gittim (no softening; suffix begins with consonant)
bekle-di-m → bekledim
oku-du-m → okudum
No buffer consonant is used.
5. Usage
The simple past applies to:
• completed actions
• past states
• definite past events
It does not carry evidential meaning; indirectness is expressed with -miş.
Examples
• Dün geldim. — I came yesterday.
• Sabah aradın. — You called in the morning.
• O baktı. — He/She looked.
• Biz yazdık. — We wrote.
• Siz konuştunuz. — You spoke.
• Onlar uyudular. — They slept.
• Kitap bitti. — The book finished.
Notes
• The suffix combines consonant alternation (D/T) and four-way vowel harmony.
• Person endings attach directly without buffer consonants.
• The third person singular has no additional suffix beyond -DI.
Simple Past (-di) – FAQ (A2)
Q1. What does the simple past (-di) express in Turkish?
A. It expresses actions or states that were completed in the past and are known directly by the speaker.
Q2. How is the correct vowel in -dı / -di / -du / -dü chosen?
A. The vowel is chosen according to four-way vowel harmony based on the last vowel of the verb stem.
Q3. When does -di change to -ti?
A. It changes to -ti after voiceless consonants such as ç, f, h, k, p, s, ş, and t.