Learn Hardcore Turkish: Ben zannetmek kelimesini bazen yanlış kullanıyorum, çünkü anlamını tam bilmiyordum. - I sometimes use the word “zannetmek” incorrectly because I didn’t fully know its meaning.

In Turkish, when referring to a word as a subject of discussion rather than its meaning in use, it’s common to “noun-ify” the infinitive verb by pairing it with kelime (meaning “word”). The suffix -si (a third-person possessive) together with the accusative case marker -ni is added to kelime, resulting in kelimesini—which literally means “its word” or “the word (of 'zannetmek')”. This construction clarifies that you’re talking about the word itself.

What is the function of the suffix -ini in kelimesini?

The suffix -ini is a combination of two elements: the third-person singular possessive suffix -si and the accusative case marker -ni. This combination indicates that the noun kelime is the object of the verb (i.e., the thing being used) and it shows possession—in this case, that the word belongs to or is defined by zannetmek. It’s a standard way in Turkish to refer to a word as an object being discussed.

Why is the subject pronoun Ben explicitly stated even though Turkish typically drops subject pronouns?

Turkish is a pro-drop language, meaning that subject pronouns can often be omitted if the context is clear. In this sentence, Ben (“I”) is used for emphasis and clarity, making it clear that the speaker is referring to themselves. It can also add a personal touch to the statement.

What does bazen mean and why is it placed where it is in the sentence?

Bazen means “sometimes”. In this sentence, it acts as an adverb modifying the verb phrase yanlış kullanıyorum (“I use incorrectly”). Its placement—after kelimesini—helps convey that the misuse of the word isn’t constant but happens on occasion. Turkish often allows flexible adverb placement, and here it emphasizes the frequency of the action.

Which tense is used in yanlış kullanıyorum and what does it indicate about the action?

The verb kullanıyorum is in the present continuous tense. Although that tense might seem to describe an action happening right now, in Turkish it is also used to express habitual actions or recurring activities. In this sentence, it indicates that the speaker occasionally misuses the word as a habitual behavior.

Why is the past continuous form bilmiyordum used in the clause çünkü anlamını tam bilmiyordum?

Bilmiyordum is the past continuous (or imperfect past) form of bilmek (“to know”). It describes a past state of lacking full knowledge—in this case, not fully understanding the meaning of the word. The use of the past continuous suggests that this state persisted for some time in the past, providing the reason for the habitual misusage that the speaker now corrects.