Nominative Case (Атооч)

In Kyrgyz, Атооч жөндөмө plays the same role as the nominative case in other languages — it is the dictionary form of the word, without any suffixes.

The name "Атооч" comes from the verb атоо (to name), which hints at its function — this is the form we use to name something.

🧠 Logic

The nominative case is the base form of a word, the one you'll find in the dictionary. No suffixes are added!

It is used to show:

1. The subject — Who or what performs the action?

   • Бала ойноп жатат — The child is playing
   • Китеп столдо жатат — The book is lying on the table

2. The predicate noun — What is what?

   • Ал мугалим — He is a teacher
   • Бул үй — This is a house

3. A form of address — Who are we speaking to?

   • Бала, бери кел! — Child, come here!
   • Апа, жардам бер — Mum, help me

🧮 Formula

Formula: Stem (unchanged)

The nominative is the only case with no suffix. The word stays in its original form.

💡 Examples

Subject of a sentence

• Бала китеп окуп жатат. — The child is reading a book.
• Мугалим сабак берет. — The teacher is giving a lesson.
• Машина тез жүрөт. — The car is going fast.
• Суу муздак. — The water is cold.

Predicate noun

• Менин атым Алмаз. — My name is Almaz.
• Ал студент. — He is a student.
• Бул китеп кызыктуу. — This book is interesting.

With pronouns

Examples:

• Мен студентмин. — I am a student.
• Ал иштеп жатат. — He/she is working.
• Биз Бишкекте жашайбыз. — We live in Bishkek.

⚠️ Important Details

Many postpositions require the nominative case (the word unchanged):

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See also:

• Overview of the 6 Cases — the full picture of the case system
• Postpositions — менен, үчүн, жөнүндө
• Plural Formation — suffixes -лар/-лер/-лор/-лөр
• Vowel Harmony — rules for choosing vowels
• Sound Assimilation — choosing consonants in suffixes