Understanding the differences between past and future references is crucial for mastering any language, and Kazakh is no exception. In Kazakh, the words for “past” and “next” are Өткен and Келесі, respectively. These terms are used frequently in daily conversation, storytelling, and even in written texts. This article will help you grasp the nuances of these words, backed by examples that will make your learning experience more practical and engaging.
Өткен (Past)
The word Өткен is used to denote something that has already happened. It is often translated to “past” or “last” in English. This term is essential for discussing anything that occurred before the present moment.
Өткен
Used to indicate something that happened in the past.
Өткен аптада біз ауылға бардық.
(Last week we went to the village.)
Common Uses of Өткен
Өткен апта
Refers to “last week.”
Өткен аптада мен жаңа кітап оқыдым.
(Last week I read a new book.)
Өткен ай
Means “last month.”
Өткен айда менің туған күнім болды.
(Last month was my birthday.)
Өткен жыл
Translates to “last year.”
Өткен жылы біз шетелге бардық.
(Last year we went abroad.)
Өткен тарих
Refers to “past history.”
Өткен тарихты білу маңызды.
(It is important to know past history.)
Өткен өмір
Means “past life.”
Өткен өмірімізде жасаған қателіктерден үйрену керек.
(We must learn from the mistakes we made in our past life.)
Өткен жолы
Translates to “last time.”
Өткен жолы кездесе алмадық.
(Last time we couldn’t meet.)
Grammar and Structure
When using Өткен in sentences, it usually precedes the noun it modifies. It’s important to remember that Kazakh is an agglutinative language, which means that it uses a lot of suffixes to convey grammatical relationships.
Өткен +
Example: Өткен апта
Өткен аптада біз ауылға бардық.
(Last week we went to the village.)
Келесі (Next)
The word Келесі is used to talk about something that is going to happen in the future. It is often translated to “next” in English. Just like Өткен, this term is commonly used in everyday conversation and writing.
Келесі
Used to indicate something that will happen in the future.
Келесі аптада біз қалаға барамыз.
(Next week we will go to the city.)
Common Uses of Келесі
Келесі апта
Refers to “next week.”
Келесі аптада менің емтиханым бар.
(Next week I have an exam.)
Келесі ай
Means “next month.”
Келесі айда жаңа жыл басталады.
(Next month the new year begins.)
Келесі жыл
Translates to “next year.”
Келесі жылы біз үлкен жоба бастаймыз.
(Next year we will start a big project.)
Келесі кездесу
Refers to “next meeting.”
Келесі кездесу дүйсенбі күні болады.
(The next meeting will be on Monday.)
Келесі рет
Means “next time.”
Келесі рет біз бірге кино көреміз.
(Next time we will watch a movie together.)
Келесі аялдама
Translates to “next stop.”
Келесі аялдамада түсемін.
(I will get off at the next stop.)
Grammar and Structure
When using Келесі in sentences, it also usually precedes the noun it modifies. Just like with Өткен, it’s essential to understand the agglutinative nature of Kazakh to use these terms correctly.
Келесі +
Example: Келесі апта
Келесі аптада біз қалаға барамыз.
(Next week we will go to the city.)
Comparison and Contrast
Understanding the difference between Өткен and Келесі is crucial for fluency in Kazakh. Both words are used to denote time, but they focus on opposite ends of the time spectrum—one on the past and the other on the future.
Өткен
Refers to something that has already happened.
Өткен аптада біз ауылға бардық.
(Last week we went to the village.)
Келесі
Refers to something that will happen in the future.
Келесі аптада біз қалаға барамыз.
(Next week we will go to the city.)
By comparing these two terms, it becomes easier to understand their usage in various contexts. Both words can be used with time-related nouns like week, month, and year, but they provide different temporal perspectives.
Practical Applications
Understanding the concepts of Өткен and Келесі is not just academic; it has practical applications in everyday life. Whether you are making plans, reminiscing about the past, or discussing your schedule, these words will frequently come up in conversation.
Өткен
Used for reflecting on past events.
Өткен демалыста біз тау шаңғысына бардық.
(Last weekend we went skiing.)
Келесі
Used for planning future events.
Келесі демалыста біз жағажайға барамыз.
(Next weekend we will go to the beach.)
Role in Storytelling
In storytelling, both Өткен and Келесі play crucial roles. They help in setting the timeline of the narrative, making it clear whether the events being described have already happened or are yet to happen.
Өткен
Sets the stage for past events in a story.
Өткен жылы ол үлкен саяхат жасады.
(Last year he went on a big journey.)
Келесі
Sets the stage for future events in a story.
Келесі жылы ол тағы саяхатқа шығуды жоспарлап отыр.
(Next year he plans to go on another journey.)
Everyday Conversations
In daily conversations, these terms are indispensable. Whether you’re catching up with friends, discussing plans with colleagues, or talking about personal milestones, Өткен and Келесі are essential.
Өткен
Common in catching up with friends.
Өткен аптада не істедің?
(What did you do last week?)
Келесі
Common in making plans.
Келесі аптада не істейміз?
(What shall we do next week?)
Exercises for Practice
To solidify your understanding of Өткен and Келесі, here are some exercises you can try:
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with either Өткен or Келесі.
1. ___ аптада біз киноға бардық.
2. ___ айда менің туған күнім болады.
3. ___ жылы біз шетелге саяхаттадық.
4. ___ демалыста не істейсің?
5. ___ жолы мен кешіктім.
Exercise 2: Translation
Translate the following sentences into Kazakh:
1. Last month I started a new job.
2. Next year we will visit Paris.
3. Last weekend was very relaxing.
4. What are your plans for next week?
5. I missed the last meeting.
Exercise 3: Writing Practice
Write a short paragraph (5-6 sentences) about your plans for next week using Келесі. Then, write another paragraph about what you did last week using Өткен.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of Өткен and Келесі is an essential step in becoming fluent in Kazakh. These terms will help you navigate conversations about time, whether you’re reminiscing about the past or making plans for the future. With practice, you’ll find that using these words becomes second nature, adding depth and clarity to your Kazakh communication skills.
