Kalem kırmızı.

The pen is red.

Breakdown of Kalem kırmızı.

• olmak: to be
• kırmızı: red
• kalem: the pen

Questions & Answers about Kalem kırmızı.

What do the words kalem and kırmızı mean in this sentence?

Kalem means pen and kırmızı means red. So, the sentence essentially states that “pen is red” (with the English article and linking verb implied).

Why is there no word for “is” in the sentence?

In Turkish, the present tense copula (the equivalent of “is”) is usually omitted in simple descriptive sentences. The context tells you that kırmızı is describing the state or attribute of kalem.

Why isn’t there a definite article (like “the”) before kalem?

Turkish does not use articles like “the” or “a”. Nouns appear without them, and context is used to convey definiteness if needed.

Can a linking verb be included in Turkish sentences like this?

Yes, you can add a linking verb for formality or emphasis. For example, “Kalem kırmızıdır” uses the suffix -dır to mean “The pen is red,” although it is less common in everyday informal speech.

How does the word order in this sentence compare to typical English sentence structure?

While English typically requires a linking verb (Subject is Adjective), Turkish describes states by juxtaposing the subject and adjective without a copula. The order here clearly matches the intended meaning without needing the structure “subject – linking verb – adjective.”

Do adjectives in Turkish change according to the noun’s number or gender?

No, adjectives in Turkish remain the same regardless of the noun’s number or gender. Kırmızı stays unchanged whether referring to one kalem or multiple items, and Turkish does not mark adjectives for gender.