Let's do this!

✏️ The most common forms of the Optative are:


✅ Verb stems ending in a consonant or -i, -u take:


-ıym, -(y)im in the singular

-ıyq, -(y)ik in the plural 

çıq! (go out) – çığıym! (let me go out) – çığıyq! (let’s go out)

kil! (come) – kilim! (let me come) – kilik! (let’s come)

ki! (put on) – kiyim! (let me put on) – kiyik! (let’s put on)


✅ Verb stems ending in -a, -ə, or -e drop the vowel and take the same endings.

 

başla! (begin) – başlıym! (let me begin) – başlıyq! (let’s begin)

eşlə! (work!) – eşlim! (let me work or let me do it) – eşlik! (let’s work or let us do it)


✅ Verb stems ending in -ı add -ym and -yq


uqı! (read) – uqıym! (let me read) – uqıyq! (let’s read)


Verb stems ending in -ya, -yə drop the vowel and take -ıym, -ıyq, -im, -ik.

buya! (paint) – buyıym! (let me paint) – buyıyq! (let’s paint)


✅ Negative verb stems follow the same pattern as affirmative stems ending in -a or



✏️ The use of the Optative:


✅ The first person singular conveys a wish, desire, intention, voluntary decision, or a request for permission to perform or not perform an action. 


Qara əle, min bügen ənilərgə barıp qaytmaqçı idem, barıymmı? (Ğaliəsğər Kamal, “Qayniş”) 

Look, I wanted to go to mother’s today, may I go? 


✅ The first person plural expresses a suggestion, encouragement, or invitation for others to join in or refrain from a collective action.

Monda tuqtap beraz yal itik. (Tatar xalıq əkiyətləre, “Turay batır”)

Let’s stop here and rest a little.


✅ In interrogative sentences, both the singular and plural forms of the optative are used to express:  


• a direct request for advice or permission.  

Cibərimme?Should I send it?


• the situation being the opposite.  

Qayan belim? – How would I know? (meaning "I don’t know")