Learn Hardcore Turkish: Bina büyük.

In Turkish, the present simple form of the verb “to be” is typically omitted in declarative sentences. The meaning is implied by context, so there’s no need to include an explicit linking verb.

What is the word order in “Bina büyük,” and how does it compare to English?

The sentence follows a Subject-Predicate adjective order. While English requires the verb “is” (“The building is big”), Turkish omits it, leaving the subject “bina” directly followed by the adjective “büyük.”

Do adjectives in Turkish change their form to agree with the noun in terms of number or gender?

No, Turkish adjectives are invariable. They do not change form based on whether the noun is singular or plural, or based on gender, which differs from languages that have adjective agreement rules.

Can the adjective and noun be switched, as in “Büyük bina,” and would that still mean “big building”?

Yes, “büyük bina” is a noun phrase meaning “big building.” However, when making a complete sentence—expressing that the building is big—the typical construction is “Bina büyük,” where the descriptive adjective follows the subject without an explicit copula.

Is the omission of the copula unique to simple descriptive sentences, or does it occur more broadly in Turkish?

The omission of the copula is common in the present tense for simple descriptive statements. While other tenses or more complex sentences may include the copula as a suffix attached to the adjective, in everyday use for statements like “Bina büyük,” it is naturally left out.