Learn Hardcore Turkish: Tembellik iyi değil.

Tembellik is formed by taking the adjective tembel (meaning “lazy”) and adding the suffix -lik, which turns it into a noun that means “laziness.” This process of adding -lik (or its variant -lık depending on vowel harmony) is common in Turkish to turn adjectives into abstract nouns.

Why is there no verb equivalent to the English “is” in the sentence “Tembellik iyi değil”? Shouldn’t it be “Tembellik iyidir”?

In Turkish, the present tense of the copula (the verb “to be”) is often omitted because it’s implied by context. So, although Tembellik iyidir is grammatically acceptable for emphasis, Tembellik iyi değil naturally conveys “Laziness is not good” without the need for an explicit verb.

How is negation expressed in this sentence, and what function does değil serve?

Negation in this sentence is expressed through the word değil, which means “not.” By placing değil after the adjective iyi (“good”), the sentence clearly communicates that laziness does not have the quality of being good. Unlike English, where negation might be incorporated into the verb phrase, Turkish uses değil as a standalone word to negate adjectives and nouns.

What is the typical word order in Turkish sentences like this, and how does it apply to “Tembellik iyi değil”?