Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Turkish grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Okula gitmek gerekiyor.
What does each word in the sentence Okula gitmek gerekiyor mean?
- Okula: This is the dative form of okul (school), indicating direction toward the school.
- Gitmek: This is the infinitive form of the verb meaning "to go."
- Gerekiyor: This expresses necessity, translating as "is necessary" or "must."
Overall, the sentence conveys that "It is necessary to go to school."
Why is the verb gitmek in its infinitive form instead of being conjugated?
In Turkish, when expressing obligation or necessity through a modal expression like gerekiyor, the main verb remains in the infinitive form. This construction emphasizes the action—to go—as a concept that is required, rather than attributing the action to a specific subject.
How does the dative case affect the noun okul in this sentence?
The dative case in Turkish indicates direction or destination. By adding the dative suffix (resulting in okula), okul specifically means "to school." This suffix clarifies that the action of going is directed toward the school.
Can the same meaning be expressed using a different construction in Turkish?
Yes, it can. For instance, one might say Okula gitmelisin, which means "You must go to school." In this alternative, the obligation is expressed directly through the verb suffix -meli (attached to git) along with a personal ending. However, Okula gitmek gerekiyor is more impersonal and often conveys a general obligation.
Why is there no explicit subject in Okula gitmek gerekiyor?
Turkish is a pro-drop language, which means that subjects are often omitted when they are clear from context. In this sentence, the obligation applies generally, and the subject isn’t specified because the context implies it or because the statement is meant to be universally applicable.