Gihanek · Joining ideas
Connect words and clauses with addition, choice, contrast, reason and time.
By the end of this lessonChoose a conjunction by meaning and keep the verb form appropriate to each clause.
The idea
Û adds information (and), an offers a choice (or), and lê introduces a contrast (but). Ji ber ku introduces a reason (because); gava ku gives a time relation (when). Heke introduces a condition (if). Ji bo ku introduces a purpose (so that) and takes the subjunctive in the simple patterns here. Each clause keeps its own subject and verb agreement.
See it in a sentence
Not every conjunction requires the subjunctive. In Gava ku ez dixwînim, ew dinivîse, both verbs describe a habitual situation. In Heke tu bixwînî, ez dê bixwînim, the condition uses the subjunctive. Keep multiword connectors together: ji ber ku and ji bo ku are different. This lesson introduces common connectors; the separate Hekanî and relative-clause lessons develop those constructions further.
Build it step by step
- Decide the relation first: addition, choice, contrast, reason, time, condition or purpose.
- Use û, an and lê to connect words or clauses. Use a full connector such as ji ber ku to introduce a reason clause.
- Check both verbs separately. Purpose with ji bo ku and the possible conditions here use the subjunctive; a habitual gava ku clause uses the indicative.
| Connector | Relation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| û | addition: and | Ez dixwînim û ew dinivîse. |
| an | choice: or | çay an av |
| lê | contrast: but | Ez dixwînim, lê ew naxwîne. |
| ji ber ku | reason: because | Ez li malê me ji ber ku ez nexweş im. |
| gava ku | time: when | Gava ku ez dixwînim, ew dinivîse. |
| heke | condition: if | Heke tu bixwînî, ez dê bixwînim. |
| ji bo ku | purpose: so that | Ez dixwînim ji bo ku ez fêr bibim. |
Take a sentence apart
main action: I read
introduces the goal of the action
so that I learn: subjunctive bibim
English uses separate connectors such as because and so that. Kurmanji distinguishes ji ber ku from ji bo ku and also requires attention to the following verb form.
A common trap
Incorrect: Ez dixwînim ji bo ku ez fêr dibim.
Correct: Ez dixwînim ji bo ku ez fêr bibim.
For the intended purpose meaning, use subjunctive bibim after ji bo ku.
Grammar reference: Thackston, §§ 16.1 and 29; vocabulary entries û, an, lê · Conjunctions