In English, we often use phrases like "Will you...?" or "Could you...?" to politely ask someone to do something. In Turkish, we use the second-person aorist interrogative for this. While it literally translates to asking about a general habit ("Do you do...?"), in everyday conversation it is the standard way to make a polite request.
Informal Polite Requests ("Sen")
When asking a friend, family member, or someone you know well to do something, use the positive aorist verb followed by the informal second-person question particle.
Just like in previous lessons, the particle is written as a separate word and follows 4-way vowel harmony. The personal ending attaches directly to the question particle:
- a, ı → mısın (e.g., yapar mısın? – will you do?)
- e, i → misin (e.g., verir misin? – will you give?)
- o, u → musun (e.g., okur musun? – will you read?)
- ö, ü → müsün (e.g., görür müsün? – will you see?)
| The cat is sick, so will you call the vet? | Kedi hasta, bu yüzden veterineri arar mısın? |
| We are going out. Will you put a leash on the dog? | Dışarı çıkıyoruz. Köpeğe tasma takar mısın? |
| The cat's fur is dirty. Will you wash it? | Kedinin tüyleri kirli. Onu yıkar mısın? |
Formal and Plural Polite Requests ("Siz")
When speaking to a professional (like a veterinarian), someone you do not know well, or multiple people, you should use the formal/plural "you" (siz).
To form this, add the formal/plural ending to the question particle. It follows the exact same 4-way vowel harmony rules:
- a, ı → mısınız (e.g., yapar mısınız? – will you do?)
- e, i → misiniz (e.g., verir misiniz? – will you give?)
- o, u → musunuz (e.g., okur musunuz? – will you read?)
- ö, ü → müsünüz (e.g., görür müsünüz? – will you see?)
| Will you please examine that dog? | Lütfen şu köpeği muayene eder misiniz? |
| Will you please vaccinate the cat? | Lütfen kediye aşı yapar mısınız? |
| Will you weigh this fat cat? | Bu şişman kediyi tartar mısınız? |
Notice how placing the word lütfen (please) at the beginning of the sentence makes your request even softer and more polite.