Understanding the temporal prepositions of a language is a fundamental aspect of mastering it. These prepositions are used to express time relations, indicating when an event occurs in relation to another event or a specific point in time. In Kazakh, a Turkic language spoken primarily in Kazakhstan, temporal prepositions play a crucial role in everyday communication. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these temporal prepositions, their uses, and examples to help English speakers better grasp their applications.
The Importance of Temporal Prepositions
Temporal prepositions are essential for expressing time-related concepts such as duration, frequency, and specific points in time. They help in constructing clear and precise sentences, ensuring that the speaker’s intended meaning is accurately conveyed. Without a proper understanding of these prepositions, learners might struggle to communicate effectively about time, leading to misunderstandings.
Overview of Temporal Prepositions in Kazakh
Kazakh, like many languages, uses a variety of prepositions to indicate time. Some of the most commonly used temporal prepositions in Kazakh include:
1. **”Кейін” (kəiɪn)** – after
2. **”Бұрын” (bʊrʊn)** – before
3. **”Кезінде” (kɛzɪndɛ)** – during, at the time of
4. **”Соң” (soŋ)** – since, after
5. **”Ішінде” (ɪʃɪndɛ)** – within
6. **”Бойы” (bɔɪɪ)** – throughout
7. **”Сағатта” (sɑɡɑttɑ)** – at (specific hour)
Each of these prepositions has its unique application and nuances, which will be discussed in detail below.
“Кейін” (kəiɪn) – After
The preposition “кейін” is used to indicate that an event occurs after a specific point in time or another event. It is similar to the English preposition “after.”
Examples:
– **Мектептен кейін (mɛktɛptɛn kəiɪn)** – after school
– **Ол келгеннен кейін (oɫ kɛlɡɛnŋɛn kəiɪn)** – after he/she arrives
In these examples, “кейін” is used to specify that the actions or events occur following another event or time.
Usage in Sentences
– **Мектептен кейін мен үйге барамын. (mɛktɛptɛn kəiɪn mɛn ʊɪɡɛ bɑrɑmɪn)** – After school, I go home.
– **Жұмыстан кейін біз киноға барамыз. (ʒʊmɪstɑn kəiɪn bɪz kɪnoɡɑ bɑrɑmɪz)** – After work, we go to the cinema.
In these sentences, “кейін” helps to clearly indicate the sequence of events.
“Бұрын” (bʊrʊn) – Before
The preposition “бұрын” is used to indicate that an event occurs before a specific point in time or another event. It is akin to the English preposition “before.”
Examples:
– **Сабақтан бұрын (sɑbɑqtɑn bʊrʊn)** – before the lesson
– **Ол келгеннен бұрын (oɫ kɛlɡɛnŋɛn bʊrʊn)** – before he/she arrives
In these examples, “бұрын” is used to specify that the actions or events occur prior to another event or time.
Usage in Sentences
– **Сабақтан бұрын мен кітап оқимын. (sɑbɑqtɑn bʊrʊn mɛn kɪtɑp oqɪmɪn)** – Before the lesson, I read a book.
– **Таңғы астан бұрын ол жүгіргенді жақсы көреді. (tɑŋɡɪ ɑstɑn bʊrʊn oɫ ʒʉɡɪrɡɛndɪ ʒɑqsɪ kɵrɛdɪ)** – Before breakfast, he/she likes to run.
In these sentences, “бұрын” helps to establish the precedence of actions or events.
“Кезінде” (kɛzɪndɛ) – During, At the Time of
The preposition “кезінде” is used to indicate that an event occurs during a specific period or at the time of another event. It is similar to the English prepositions “during” or “at the time of.”
Examples:
– **Сабақ кезінде (sɑbɑq kɛzɪndɛ)** – during the lesson
– **Соғыс кезінде (soɣɪs kɛzɪndɛ)** – during the war
In these examples, “кезінде” is used to specify that the actions or events occur within a particular timeframe.
Usage in Sentences
– **Сабақ кезінде телефонды өшіріңіз. (sɑbɑq kɛzɪndɛ tɛlɛfonɫɪ ɵʃɪrɪŋɪz)** – Turn off your phone during the lesson.
– **Соғыс кезінде олар елді қорғады. (soɣɪs kɛzɪndɛ oɫɑr ɪɫdɪ qorɣɑdɪ)** – During the war, they defended the country.
In these sentences, “кезінде” helps to contextualize the timing of actions within specific periods.
“Соң” (soŋ) – Since, After
The preposition “соң” is used to indicate that an event has been occurring continuously since a specific point in time. It can be translated to “since” or “after” in English, depending on the context.
Examples:
– **Келген соң (kɛlɡɛn soŋ)** – since arriving
– **Үйленген соң (ʊɪlɛnɡɛn soŋ)** – after getting married
In these examples, “соң” is used to specify the starting point of an ongoing action or event.
Usage in Sentences
– **Ол келген соң, біз сөйлестік. (oɫ kɛlɡɛn soŋ, bɪz sɵjlɛstɪk)** – Since he/she arrived, we have been talking.
– **Үйленген соң олар қалаға көшті. (ʊɪlɛnɡɛn soŋ oɫɑr qɑɫɑɡɑ kɵʃtɪ)** – After getting married, they moved to the city.
In these sentences, “соң” helps to mark the beginning of a continuous action or event.
“Ішінде” (ɪʃɪndɛ) – Within
The preposition “ішінде” is used to indicate that an event occurs within a specific period. It is similar to the English preposition “within.”
Examples:
– **Бір сағат ішінде (bɪr sɑɣɑt ɪʃɪndɛ)** – within an hour
– **Бір апта ішінде (bɪr ɑptɑ ɪʃɪndɛ)** – within a week
In these examples, “ішінде” is used to specify that the actions or events occur inside a particular timeframe.
Usage in Sentences
– **Бір сағат ішінде мен тапсырманы аяқтаймын. (bɪr sɑɣɑt ɪʃɪndɛ mɛn tɑpsɪrmɑnɪ ɑjɑqtɑjɪmɪn)** – Within an hour, I will finish the task.
– **Бір апта ішінде ол кітапты оқып бітіреді. (bɪr ɑptɑ ɪʃɪndɛ oɫ kɪtɑptɪ oqɪp bɪtɪrɛdɪ)** – Within a week, he/she will finish reading the book.
In these sentences, “ішінде” helps to define the timeframe within which actions or events take place.
“Бойы” (bɔɪɪ) – Throughout
The preposition “бойы” is used to indicate that an event occurs continuously throughout a specific period. It is similar to the English preposition “throughout.”
Examples:
– **Күні бойы (kʉnɪ bɔɪɪ)** – throughout the day
– **Жыл бойы (ʒɪɫ bɔɪɪ)** – throughout the year
In these examples, “бойы” is used to specify that the actions or events occur continuously over the entire duration.
Usage in Sentences
– **Күні бойы біз жұмыс істедік. (kʉnɪ bɔɪɪ bɪz ʒʊmɪs ɪstɛdɪk)** – Throughout the day, we worked.
– **Жыл бойы ол саяхаттады. (ʒɪɫ bɔɪɪ oɫ sɑjɑxɑttɑdɪ)** – Throughout the year, he/she traveled.
In these sentences, “бойы” helps to emphasize the continuous nature of actions or events over a specific period.
“Сағатта” (sɑɡɑttɑ) – At (Specific Hour)
The preposition “сағатта” is used to indicate that an event occurs at a specific hour. It is similar to the English preposition “at” when referring to time.
Examples:
– **Сағат үште (sɑɣɑt ʉʃtɛ)** – at three o’clock
– **Сағат он бірде (sɑɣɑt on bɪrdɛ)** – at eleven o’clock
In these examples, “сағатта” is used to specify the exact time at which actions or events occur.
Usage in Sentences
– **Сағат үште біз кездесеміз. (sɑɣɑt ʉʃtɛ bɪz kɛzdɛsɛmɪz)** – At three o’clock, we will meet.
– **Сағат он бірде сабақ басталады. (sɑɣɑt on bɪrdɛ sɑbɑq bɑstɑɫɑdɪ)** – At eleven o’clock, the lesson starts.
In these sentences, “сағатта” helps to pinpoint the exact timing of actions or events.
Conclusion
Understanding temporal prepositions in Kazakh is vital for accurately expressing time relations and constructing clear, precise sentences. By familiarizing yourself with the prepositions “кейін,” “бұрын,” “кезінде,” “соң,” “ішінде,” “бойы,” and “сағатта,” you can enhance your ability to communicate effectively about time in Kazakh. Practice using these prepositions in different contexts to gain confidence and proficiency in your language skills. With consistent practice and application, you’ll find that navigating time relations in Kazakh becomes more intuitive and natural.
