Ben kitabı masaya koyabilmek istiyorum.

I want to be able to put the book on the table.

Breakdown of Ben kitabı masaya koyabilmek istiyorum.

• ben: I
• kitap: the book
• istemek: to want
• masa: the table
• koyabilmek: to be able to put

Questions & Answers about Ben kitabı masaya koyabilmek istiyorum.

What is the overall meaning of Ben kitabı masaya koyabilmek istiyorum?

It means "I want to be able to put the book on the table." In this sentence, Ben means “I,” kitabı translates as “the book” (with the accusative case marking it as a definite object), masaya means “to (or onto) the table” (using the dative case), koyabilmek is a compound form meaning “to be able to put” (formed from the root koy- “to put” plus the ability suffix -abil and the infinitive ending -mek), and istiyorum means “I want.”

Why is kitabı written with an -ı ending?

In Turkish, when a direct object is definite or specific, it receives the accusative case marker. Here, kitap (book) becomes kitabı following vowel harmony rules. The suffix indicates that the speaker refers to a particular book known to both the speaker and the listener.

What case is used for masaya, and what does this case indicate?

Masaya is in the dative case. The suffix -ya (or -e, depending on vowel harmony) is attached to masa (“table”) to indicate direction or target. In this sentence, it shows where the book is intended to be put—onto the table.

How is the concept of ability expressed in the word koyabilmek?

Ability is expressed by adding the suffix -abil (or -ebil based on vowel harmony) to the verb root. In koyabilmek, the root koy- (from koymak, “to put”) is combined with -abil to yield “can put” or “be able to put,” and then the infinitive ending -mek is added. The result is an infinitive form that conveys the speaker’s ability (or potential ability) to perform the action.

Why does the sentence include the pronoun Ben even though the verb is already conjugated for “I”?

Turkish often omits subject pronouns because the verb endings clearly indicate the subject. However, using Ben explicitly can add emphasis or clarity—especially for learners—and makes it clear that the speaker is referring to him/herself.

How does the structure of this Turkish sentence compare to a similar English sentence?

Turkish typically follows a subject-object-location-verb order. In Ben kitabı masaya koyabilmek istiyorum, the subject (Ben) comes first, followed by the object (kitabı), then the location (masaya), and finally the complex verb phrase (koyabilmek istiyorum). In English, the structure shifts to “I want to be able to put the book on the table,” where the modal and main verbs are arranged differently. This contrast highlights how Turkish often places all verb elements at the end of the sentence.