Simultaneous actions (-(y)ken)

Saying "while doing" with verbs

In the previous lesson, we attached -(y)ken to nouns and adjectives to mean "while being." To express "while doing" an action, attach -ken to a verb conjugated in the aorist (simple present) or present continuous tense.

Do not add personal suffixes before -ken. The subject is understood from the main part of the sentence.

Using -ken with the aorist tense

The most common way to form this is by attaching -ken to a verb in the aorist tense. For example, sürmek (to drive) becomes sürer, and adding -ken makes sürerken (while driving).

While driving, you must hold the steering wheel with two hands.
Araba sürerken direksiyonu iki elle tutman lazım.
The driver stepped on the brakes while the pedestrians were crossing the road.
Yayalar yolu geçerken şoför frene bastı.

Using -ken with the present continuous tense

You can also attach -ken to verbs in the present continuous tense (-ıyor, -iyor, etc.). This emphasizes that an action was already in progress at the exact moment something else happened.

The police asked for his license while the man was driving.
Adam araba sürüyorken polis ehliyet istedi.
The pedestrian suddenly stepped into the street while we were listening to music.
Biz müzik dinliyorken yaya aniden caddeye çıktı.
The police fined the driver while checking his license.
Polis ehliyeti kontrol ediyorken şoföre ceza yazdı.

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