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Questions & Answers about Köprü yenilendi.
What is the literal word-for-word breakdown of Köprü yenilendi.?
The word köprü means bridge, and yenilendi is derived from the verb yenilemek (to renew or renovate). The suffix -lendi indicates a passive construction in the past tense, so the sentence translates to "The bridge was renewed/renovated."
How is the passive voice expressed in the verb form yenilendi?
In Turkish, the passive voice is formed by adding a specific suffix to the verb stem. For yenilemek, the passive is constructed by inserting the negative element -len- (which marks the passive) followed by the past tense suffix -di (adapted to -i according to vowel harmony, resulting in -lendi). This single inflected form communicates both the passive voice and the past tense.
What tense is being used in yenilendi, and how can you tell?
The sentence is in the simple past tense. You can tell because the suffix -di (or its variant -dı/du/dü based on vowel harmony) is attached to the verb. In yenilendi, this past marker is combined with the passive marker, indicating that the action occurred in the past.
Why does the sentence not include an explicit agent (such as "by someone")?
Turkish often omits the agent in passive constructions when it is either unknown or unimportant. In Köprü yenilendi., the focus is on the state or change of the bridge rather than on who performed the renewal. If necessary, an agent can be introduced using the word tarafından (meaning "by"), but it is common and acceptable to leave it out.
How would the sentence change if you wanted to express an active form with an agent?
In an active construction, the sentence would specify who renewed the bridge and would use a different verb form. For example, "İşçiler köprüyü yeniledi." translates to "The workers renewed the bridge." Here, köprü becomes the object (köprüyü) of the active verb yeniledi, and the subject is explicitly mentioned (işçiler).