Learn Hardcore Turkish: Oyuncak mavi.

Turkish often omits the linking verb in simple descriptive sentences. Even though English requires the verb is in “The toy is blue,” Turkish conveys the same meaning without an explicit copula. The structure Oyuncak mavi. is complete and natural in Turkish.

What does the word order in Oyuncak mavi. tell us about its structure?

In this sentence, the subject oyuncak (“toy”) comes first, and the adjective mavi (“blue”) follows as the predicate. This ordering shows that the adjective isn’t directly modifying the noun but is instead describing its state. When you want to say “blue toy” as an attributive phrase, the adjective would normally come before the noun (i.e., mavi oyuncak).

How do I distinguish between an attributive adjective and a predicate adjective in Turkish?

The key is the position of the adjective. If the adjective is placed before the noun (e.g., mavi oyuncak), it functions as an attributive adjective modifying the noun. If it follows the noun (e.g., oyuncak mavi), it acts as a predicate adjective, equivalent to saying “The toy is blue.” This word order indicates that the color is a state or property of the toy rather than a direct modifier.

Are articles such as the or a used in Turkish sentences like this one?