Sana söz veriyorum.

I promise you.

Breakdown of Sana söz veriyorum.

• sen: you
• -a: to
• söz vermek: to promise

Questions & Answers about Sana söz veriyorum.

What does each word literally mean in Sana söz veriyorum?

• sana = to you (dative form of sen)
• söz = word; promise
• veriyorum = I am giving (verb stem ver- give + progressive -iyor
  • 1st person -um) Literally: “I am giving a promise to you.”

Why is it sana and not seni?

Because Turkish treats the person who receives something as a dative object (to someone). You “give a promise to you,” hence sana. Seni is accusative and would be used for direct objects (e.g., Seni görüyorum = I see you).

Is sana irregular? Why not sene?

Yes—first and second person singular pronouns are irregular in the dative:

• ben → bana (not “bene”)
• sen → sana (not “sene”) Third person is regular: o → ona.

Do I need to say Ben?

No. The verb ending -um already shows the subject is “I.” Ben sana söz veriyorum is fine for emphasis, but most of the time Sana söz veriyorum is natural.

Why the progressive -iyor (veriyorum) for a promise?

It’s the standard, idiomatic way to promise right now. You can also hear:

• Söz veririm (aorist): I promise (can sound slightly more general or formal).
• Avoid Söz vereceğim when you mean “I promise (that)…”; it literally means “I will promise,” which focuses on the act of promising in the future rather than the content.

Why doesn’t söz have the accusative -i (e.g., “sözü”)?

Because it’s an indefinite object in a set phrase (söz vermek). If you make it definite/possessed, you add marking:

• Sana sözümü veriyorum = I give you my word (stronger, more formal). Note: Sözü … vermek can also mean “to give the floor (to speak)” (e.g., Sözü Ayşe’ye veriyorum).

Can I omit sana?

Yes, if it’s clear from context: Söz veriyorum = I promise. Adding sana specifies or emphasizes the addressee.

How do I make it formal or plural “you”?

Use size (dative of siz): Size söz veriyorum = I promise you (formal or plural).

What other word orders are possible?

Turkish allows flexibility for emphasis:

• Sana söz veriyorum (neutral, focus on addressee)
• Söz veriyorum sana (afterthought/emphasis on “to you”)
• Söz sana veriyorum is not idiomatic here (it sounds like “I’m giving the floor to you”). Stick to the first two.

Are there stronger or alternative ways to promise?

• Söz! (Very colloquial: Promise!)
• Sözüm söz. (My word is my word; I give you my word.)
• Yemin ederim. (I swear; stronger, invokes an oath)
• Vaat ediyorum / taahhüt ediyorum. (I pledge/commit; formal/legal)
• Söz veriyorum ki … (I promise that …; common in writing/speeches)

How do I say “I promise that I won’t do it again”?

• Sana söz veriyorum, bir daha yapmayacağım.
• Söz veriyorum ki bir daha yapmayacağım. Both are natural; the version without ki is very common in speech.

What’s the negative or a polite refusal?

• Söz vermiyorum. (I’m not promising.)
• More natural as a refusal: Söz veremem. (I can’t promise.)

How do I ask “Do you promise me?” or “Promise me!”?

• Question: Bana söz veriyor musun?
• Imperative/request: Bana söz ver! (informal), Bana söz verir misiniz? (polite)

Does söz always mean “promise”?

No. It also means “word” or “the floor/right to speak.” Compare:

• Sana söz veriyorum. (I promise you.)
• Sözü Ayşe’ye veriyorum. (I give the floor to Ayşe.)

Any pronunciation tips?

• ö in söz is a front rounded vowel (like German “ö” or French “eu” in “bleu”).
• Each vowel is clear and short; there’s no schwa. The verb syllables are evenly articulated: ve-ri-yo-rum.