Setting firm boundaries, whether raising teenagers or establishing household rules, often requires you to stipulate conditions. In Turkish, you can express "on the condition that" using şartıyla or koşuluyla. Both words have the exact same meaning and are used interchangeably.
General Conditions (The Infinitive)
When the condition is a general rule, or the person fulfilling it is the same as the subject of the main sentence, use the standard infinitive (-mak / -mek).
Formula: Verb Root + -mak / -mek + şartıyla / koşuluyla
| You can play with the tablet on the condition that you finish your homework. | Ödevini bitirmek şartıyla tabletle oynayabilirsin. |
| Parents can hold their children exempt from some chores on the condition of being successful. | Ebeveynler, başarılı olmak şartıyla çocuklarını bazı işlerden muaf tutabilir. |
| We accept the manager's authority on the condition of establishing a new principle. | Yeni bir prensip belirlemek şartıyla müdürün otoritesini kabul ediyoruz. |
Specifying Who Must Meet the Condition
When you need to specify exactly who must fulfill the condition, use a verbal noun with a possessive suffix instead of the full infinitive.
Formula: Verb Root + -ma / -me + [Possessive Suffix] + şartıyla / koşuluyla
Take the verb root, add the short -ma or -me, and then attach a possessive suffix to indicate whose action it is (e.g., -n for your, -sı / -si for his/her).
| I will hold you exempt from this duty on the condition that you give the tablet to me. | Tableti bana vermen şartıyla seni bu görevden muaf tutacağım. |
| I let my teenage son go to the party on the condition that he returns at ten. | Onda dönmesi koşuluyla ergen oğlumun partiye gitmesine izin verdim. |
| My rebellious daughter will live here on the condition that she accepts my authority. | Asi kızım otoritemi kabul etmesi koşuluyla burada yaşayacak. |
You can apply this structure to any grammatical person. For example, if you are setting a condition for a group or speaking formally, use the plural possessive suffix (-nız / -niz).
| I will not rebel against these principles on the condition that you are understanding. | Anlayışlı olmanız koşuluyla bu prensiplere başkaldırmayacağım. |
