Suffix of Diminution & Endearment: (cık / cik / cuk / cük)

The cIk suffix is used to make a noun "smaller" or to add an emotional tone, such as affection, pity, or emphasis.

💡 Phonetic Rules:

  • Follows 4-way vowel harmony ($ı, i, u, ü$).

  • Changes to "ç" after hard consonants (e.g., Kitapçık).

  • Dropping "k": If an adjective ends in "k", that "k" is usually dropped before adding the suffix (e.g., Sıcak → Sıcacık).


Common Uses & Examples:

Usage

Turkish Example

English Translation

Endearment (Family)

Babacığım

My dear father

Pity / Compassion

Kadıncık

The poor woman

Size (Diminutive)

Evcik

A tiny house

Intensity (Adjectives)

Yumuşacık

Very soft / Softly

Note: When followed by a personal possessive suffix (like -ım), the "k" in "cık" changes to "ğ" (e.g., Canım → Canıcığım).


Practical Sentence Examples:

  • Yemeğin yanında sıcacık ekmek var: There is nice, warm bread with the meal.

  • Ablacığım، nasılsın? My dear sister, how are you?

  • Minicik elleri var: He/She has tiny little hands.

  • Kuşçuk pencereye kondu: The poor little bird perched on the window.