The locative case (-da, -de)

In English, we use prepositions like "in," "on," or "at" to state where something is located. In Turkish, we attach a suffix directly to the noun.

Following Two-Way Vowel Harmony, this suffix takes one of two forms: -da or -de.

  • Add -da if the final vowel is a back vowel (a, ı, o, u).
  • Add -de if the final vowel is a front vowel (e, i, ö, ü).
The student is at school.
Öğrenci okulda.
The ticket is in the bag.
Bilet çantada.
The doctor is at the hospital.
Doktor hastanede.
The bird is in the garden.
Kuş bahçede.

Using "var" and "yok"

You will frequently pair the locative case with var (there is/are) and yok (there isn't/aren't) to describe what is in a specific place.

There is a big tree in the garden.
Bahçede büyük bir ağaç var.
There is no ticket in the wallet.
Cüzdanda bilet yok.

Asking Questions

You can easily combine locative words with question words you already know, like kim (who) or kaç (how many).

Who is in the hospital?
Hastanede kim var?
How many pens are in the bag?
Çantada kaç kalem var?