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 -ə.
✏️ 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")