Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Turkish grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Sizin arabanız kırmızı.
What does the sentence "Sizin arabanız kırmızı" mean, and how is it structured in Turkish?
It means "Your car is red." The sentence is built from three parts:
• Sizin – an independent possessive pronoun meaning "your" (used for formality or plurality);
• Arabanız – the noun araba ("car") with the possessive suffix -nız that also means "your car";
• Kırmızı – an adjective meaning "red."
Also, note that Turkish commonly omits the copula (the equivalent of “is”) in present-tense sentences.
Why does the sentence use both sizin and the possessive suffix on araba when both indicate possession?
In Turkish, the possessive suffix -nız attached to araba already shows that the car belongs to "you." However, adding the independent pronoun sizin provides extra emphasis, clarity, or formality. In everyday conversation, one might drop the explicit pronoun if the context makes the possessor clear.
What is the role of the suffix -nız in arabanız?
The suffix -nız is a second-person possessive marker. When attached to araba ("car"), it transforms the noun into arabanız, meaning "your car." This suffix shows that the ownership is with "you" in a formal or plural context.
Why is there no verb equivalent to "is" in the sentence?
In Turkish, the present-tense copula (the equivalent of “is” in English) is typically dropped. Instead of saying "Sizin arabanız kırmızıdır," speakers simply state "Sizin arabanız kırmızı," leaving the linking verb implied. This is standard practice in Turkish sentence structure.
Could the sentence be correctly stated without using sizin – as just "arabanız kırmızı"?
Yes, it would be grammatically correct to say "arabanız kırmızı." The possessive suffix -nız on araba already indicates that the car belongs to "you." Adding sizin is optional and is often used to add emphasis or to eliminate any ambiguity regarding the owner.
How does Turkish express possession differently from English, as seen in this sentence?
Turkish expresses possession by adding a suffix directly to the noun—in this case, -nız to araba—which creates "arabanız" meaning "your car." Additionally, Turkish can use an independent possessive pronoun (sizin) for extra emphasis or clarity. In contrast, English uses a separate possessive adjective (“your”) before the noun.