kendi

Kendi is a word in Turkish that functions primarily as a reflexive pronoun and as a determiner meaning “one’s own” or “self.” It is used to refer back to the subject of the sentence and to emphasize autonomy or ownership, without repeating the noun itself.

As a reflexive element, kendi appears in fixed expressions that describe actions taken by the subject independently or with emphasis. Common phrases include kendi kendine (by oneself), kendi başına (on one’s own), and kendi kendilerini (themselves). These constructions highlight agency, independence, or introspection, and they can be used with various verbs to convey self-directed action.

As a possessive determiner, kendi can modify a noun to signal ownership. For example, kendi arabam means “my own car,” and kendi kararları means “one’s own decisions.” In this use, kendi helps distinguish something as belonging to the subject or as being specifically associated with the subject’s own resources or choices.

Grammar and usage notes:

- Kendi is widely used across modern Turkish in formal and informal registers.

- It often appears alongside other pronouns and possessive forms, and its meaning shifts with context from self-directed action to personal ownership.

- It can be combined with other particles to form nuanced meanings, such as emphasizing self-reliance or personal responsibility.

Etymology and related forms:

Kendi is a native Turkish term with cognates in related Turkic languages. It is part of a broader system of reflexive and possessive expressions in Turkish grammar, alongside related forms like kendisi, kendim, kendin, and kendimiz, which together express reflexivity across persons.