The Difference Between "Var" and "Yok" in Turkish: A Simple Guide

If you're learning Turkish, two of the most essential words you’ll encounter are "var" and "yok." These words are used to express existence, possession, and availability—but they work differently from their English equivalents.

In this guide, we’ll break down how and when to use "var" and "yok" in Turkish correctly.

"VAR" AND "YOK" IN TURKISH LANGUAGE

1. The Basic Meaning of "Var" and "Yok" in Turkish

• Var = There is / Have (positive)
• Yok = There isn’t / Don’t have (negative)

These words do not change based on the subject (unlike verbs).

Examples:

• Kitap var. (There is a book. / I have a book.)
• Zaman yok. (There is no time. / I don’t have time.)

Download Turkish Lessons 4 / A1: Talking About What We Have

2. Using "Var" and "Yok" for Possession

In Turkish, possession is expressed with "var" and "yok" + the possessive suffix (Benim+im, Senin+in, Onun+i, Bizim+imiz, Sizin+iniz, Onların+leri).

Structure:

[Person] + [Noun] + [Possessive] + var/yok

Examples:

• (Benim) Arabam var. (I have a car.)
• (Benim) Param yok. (I don’t have money.)
• /Senin) Kardeşin var mı? (Do you have a sibling?)

Notice how the possessive suffix changes: -ım → my, -ın → your, etc.

3. Using "Var" and "Yok" for Existence

These words can also mean "there is / are" or "there isn’t / aren't" when describing something’s presence.

Examples:

• Bardakta su var. (There is water in the glass.)
• Dolapta yumurta yok. (There are no eggs in the fridge.)
• Bugün toplantı var mı? (Is there a meeting today?)

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ben var bir araba. (Wrong – Turkish doesn’t structure sentences this way.)
• Benim bir arabam var. (Correct – "I have a car.")
• O yok para. (Wrong – Possessive suffix is missing.)
• Onun parası yok. (Correct – "He doesn’t have money.")

Final Tips for Mastering "Var" and "Yok"

• Practice with real-life sentences (e.g., "Cüzdanımda para var/yok.").
• Listen to native speakers in conversations or TV shows.
• Use flashcards to memorize possessive suffixes.

Now you know the key differences between "var" and "yok"! Try using them in daily speech to sound more natural in Turkish.

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