The real conditional for actions
To express "if an action happens" (used for general truths, possibilities, or superstitions), Turkish attaches the conditional suffix -sa or -se to a verb in the Aorist (simple present) tense.
The formula is: Verb + Aorist Suffix + Conditional (-sa / -se) + Personal Ending
Note that the personal endings used for the conditional form are slightly different from the regular present tense. They match the endings used for the past tense (-m, -n, [none], -k, -nız/-niz, -lar/-ler).
| Person | Example | Meaning |
|---|
| Ben | vurursam | if I knock |
| Sen | vurursan | if you knock |
| O | vurursa | if he/she/it knocks |
| Biz | vurursak | if we knock |
| Siz | vurursanız | if you knock (formal/plural) |
| Onlar | vururlarsa | if they knock |
The negative conditional
To say "if something does not happen," attach the conditional suffix directly to the negative aorist suffix (-maz or -mez).
For example, ister (wants) becomes istemez (does not want). Adding the conditional makes it istemezse (if he/she/it does not want).
Expressing superstitions
Conditional statements are exactly what you need to talk about everyday superstitions—actions that supposedly bring good or bad luck.
In Turkish culture, the evil eye (nazar) or an itching palm are frequent subjects of these conditional warnings and promises!