Ben kitabı kütüphaneye geri veriyorum.

I am returning the book to the library.

Breakdown of Ben kitabı kütüphaneye geri veriyorum.

• ben: I
• kitap: the book
• kütüphane: the library
• geri vermek: to return

Questions & Answers about Ben kitabı kütüphaneye geri veriyorum.

Why is the subject pronoun Ben included even though the verb already indicates the subject?

In Turkish, subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb’s conjugation clearly shows who is acting. However, including Ben (“I”) can add emphasis or clarity—especially useful for learners—so it is sometimes explicitly stated.

Why is the word kitabı used instead of just kitap?

Kitabı is kitap (“book”) with the definite accusative suffix -ı. This suffix marks the object as definite (i.e., a specific, known book) in Turkish. Without the suffix, the object would be indefinite.

What does the phrase geri veriyorum mean, and how does it convey the idea of “returning”?

The verb veriyorum means “I am giving,” and the adverb geri means “back” or “again.” Together, geri veriyorum forms a common expression meaning “I am returning” or “giving (it) back,” which in context is understood as “returning” the book.

How does the suffix in kütüphaneye function, and what does it tell us about the noun?

In kütüphaneye, the suffix -ye (adjusted for vowel harmony) serves as the dative case marker. This indicates the destination or direction of the action. Thus, kütüphaneye means “to the library.”

How is the present continuous tense formed in this sentence?

The present continuous tense is created by adding the suffix -iyor (tailored to vowel harmony) to the verb stem and then attaching the personal ending. In veriyorum, ver is the stem (“to give”), -iyor indicates an ongoing process, and -um specifies that the subject is first-person singular (“I am…”).

What is the basic word order of this Turkish sentence compared to English?

Turkish generally follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) order, unlike English’s Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). In this sentence, Ben (subject) comes first, followed by kitabı (object), with the verb phrase geri veriyorum at the end.

Is it possible to omit any parts of the sentence in everyday Turkish conversation?

Yes, in everyday conversation the subject pronoun Ben is often dropped because the verb conjugation already indicates the subject. Nevertheless, including it—as in this sentence—can provide extra clarity or emphasis, which is particularly helpful for language learners.