Fiilimsî

Fiilimsî is a term used in Turkish grammar to refer to non-finite verb-derived forms that can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. These forms are built from verbs but do not carry the full set of inflectional markings found on finite verbs, such as person or number, and they often require other elements to complete meaning.

The main subtypes are usually described as isim-fiiller, sıfat-fiiller, and zarf-fiiller. İsim-fiiller, or verbal nouns, name an action or process and may be used like nouns in sentences, sometimes taking modifiers or objects. Examples include words derived from verbs that function as nouns for actions, such as the act of reading or writing. Sıfat-fiiller, or participles, act as adjectives and modify nouns. Present and past participles are common, for instance forming phrases like “koşan çocuk” (the child who is running) or “gülen yüz” (the smiling face). Zarf-fiiller, or adverbial participles, modify verbs or entire clauses to express manner, time, or cause, such as “koşarak” (by running) or “gülerken” (while smiling).

In use, fiilimsî forms are non-finite; they do not by themselves indicate person or number and often depend on auxiliary verbs, articles, or other words to complete meaning. They enable compact and nuanced sentence construction, allowing actions and properties to be expressed in single words or streamlined phrases rather than through full subordinate clauses.

The concept of fiilimsî is a standard topic in Turkish grammar, illustrating how verbs can generate varied non-finite forms that function across different parts of speech while maintaining a close relationship to the original verb.