To state who or what something belongs to, Turkish uses the postposition ait. Like other directional postpositions, it requires the preceding noun or pronoun to take the dative case (-(y)e / -(y)a).
Pronouns with 'Ait'
When using personal pronouns with ait, use their dative forms. Remember that the dative forms of "I" and "you" change their root vowels to become bana and sana.
| This suitcase belongs to me. | Bu bavul bana ait. |
| Does this overcoat belong to you? | Bu palto size mi ait? |
Nouns with 'Ait'
When the owner is a noun, simply attach the dative suffix. If the noun ends in a vowel, use the buffer letter y.
| The green shawl belongs to the lady. | Yeşil şal hanımefendiye ait. |
| This overcoat must belong to the gentleman. | Bu palto beyefendiye ait olmalı. |
To ask "whose" or "to whom" something belongs, use the dative question word kime.
| To whom does this bag belong? The items got mixed up! | Bu çanta kime ait? Eşyalar karıştı! |
Managing the Cloakroom
In a busy theater cloakroom (vestiyer), things can easily get mixed up (karışmak). When you hang (asmak) an item, you will also use the dative case to show the destination where the item is going (such as onto a hanger).
| The shawl belongs to the lady, I am hanging it on an empty hanger. | Şal hanımefendiye ait, onu boş bir askıya asıyorum. |