kullanmay

Kullanmay is a Turkish linguistic term referring to the negative stem derived from the verb kullanmak, meaning “to use.” In Turkish grammar, negation is typically formed by attaching the suffix -ma/-me to the verb stem. The form kullanmay thus functions as the negated stem and serves as the basis for various derivations, such as negative participles and adverbial clauses. It is not commonly used as an independent lexical item; rather, it appears in combination with other suffixes to create specific forms.

Kullanmay is most visible in constructions that express non-use. For example, kullanmayınca means “when not using” or “if one does not use,” and is used to introduce a conditional or temporal clause: Kullanmayınca cihaz çalışmaz. Another related form is kullanmayış, a noun meaning “the act of not using.” These forms show how the negated stem participates in producing both clause-level meanings and nominal expressions.

In contemporary Turkish, kullanmay is primarily of interest in descriptions of grammar and morphology rather than as a stand-alone word in everyday speech. Speakers typically use the full verb forms or other negation constructions in ordinary communication. Related terms include kullanmak (to use), kullanmamak (not to use), and kullanım (usage), which together cover the common semantic fields around the act of using and its negation.