On the condition that (-mak üzere)

When you want to lend something to a friend or make a strict agreement, you often need to set a condition. In Turkish, you can express "on the condition that" or "with the understanding that" using the structure -mak üzere or -mek üzere.

Forming the Condition

To create this structure, simply take the full infinitive form of the verb (which ends in -mak or -mek) and add the separate word üzere right after it. Unlike many Turkish grammar structures, this does not require any personal endings or case suffixes on the verb itself.

Infinitive+ üzereMeaning
almakalmak üzereon the condition of taking
kullanmakkullanmak üzereon the condition of using
teslim etmekteslim etmek üzereon the condition of delivering

Let's see this in action when lending something or making a deal:

I am lending this car on the condition that I take it back exactly the same.
Bu arabayı aynen geri almak üzere ödünç veriyorum.
We are agreeing on the condition of delivering the house undamaged.
Evi hasarsız teslim etmek üzere anlaşıyoruz.
I am giving you this computer on the condition that you use it only for work.
Bu bilgisayarı sadece iş için kullanmak üzere sana veriyorum.

Negative Conditions

You can also set a condition that someone must not do something, such as not revealing a secret or dirtying a borrowed item. To do this, use the negative infinitive, which ends in -mamak or -memek, followed by üzere.

I am sharing this secret with you on the condition that you do not tell anyone.
Bu sırrı kimseye söylememek üzere seninle paylaşıyorum.

Combining Conditions

When making a strict agreement, you might have multiple terms. You can connect them with ve (and). If both conditions apply to the same agreement, you only need to use üzere once at the very end of the list of verbs.

I am giving you my dress on the condition that you do not dirty or wear it out.
Elbisemi kirletmemek ve yıpratmamak üzere sana veriyorum.
You will rent my car on the condition that you do not dirty it and use it carefully.
Arabamı kirletmemek ve özenle kullanmak üzere kiralayacaksın.

This structure is especially common in formal agreements, contracts, or when trusting someone with a valuable item.

We signed the contract on the condition of paying the expense in full in return.
Karşılığında masrafı eksiksiz ödemek üzere sözleşmeyi imzaladık.