Welcome to the martial arts dojo! Before we step on the mat to train, we need to set the scene. In the dojo, practice and focus are everything.
Mutual Actions: The "-(I)ş" Suffix
Martial arts rely heavily on interaction between partners. In Turkish, when an action is performed mutually (to or with each other) or cooperatively (together), we add the derivation suffix -(I)ş to the verb root.
For example, adding it to the verb root selamlamak (to greet) gives us the verb selamlaşmak (to greet each other).
The suffix follows 4-way vowel harmony, appearing as -ış, -iş, -uş, or -üş. If the verb root already ends in a vowel (like selamla-), it simply takes -ş.
| Verb Root | Suffix | Reciprocal Verb | Meaning |
|---|
| görmek (to see) | -üş | görüşmek | to meet / see each other |
| bakmak (to look) | -ış | bakışmak | to look at each other |
| yazmak (to write) | -ış | yazışmak | to message each other |
Notice how the meaning shifts from a one-way action (looking, seeing, writing) to a mutual exchange.
Sparring and Physical Interactions
This suffix is incredibly useful for physical interactions on the mat. By attaching -(I)ş to aggressive verbs, we describe mutual combat or sparring rather than a one-sided attack.
- dövmek (to beat) + -üş = dövüşmek (to spar / fight each other)
- itmek (to push) + -iş = itişmek (to push each other)