Learn Hardcore Turkish: Bilim önemli.

In Turkish, the copula (linking verb) is usually omitted in simple present tense statements. Although English requires the verb is to form Science is important, Turkish expresses the same idea without it.

How can I tell that Bilim is the subject and önemli is the predicate adjective?

Turkish typically follows a Subject-Predicate structure. In Bilim önemli, Bilim (meaning science) serves as the subject, while önemli (meaning important) functions as an adjective describing the subject.

Are adjectives like önemli modified for number or gender in Turkish?

No, adjectives in Turkish remain unchanged regardless of the number or gender of the noun they modify. Thus, önemli is used in the same form whether referring to one or several instances of science.

How would I form a question or a negative sentence from Bilim önemli?

To form an interrogative sentence, you add the particle mi at the end, yielding Bilim önemli mi? For a negative sentence, you attach değil after the adjective to say Bilim önemli değil, which means Science is not important.

Why doesn’t Turkish include articles like the or a before Bilim?

Turkish grammar does not use definite or indefinite articles the way English does. The noun bilim appears without an article, which is standard in Turkish.