Learn Hardcore Turkish: Kapıya sertçe basmak yerine nazikçe itmek daha iyi olur. - Instead of pressing the door roughly, it’s better to push it gently.

Kapıya is the dative form of kapı, meaning "door." The dative case (marked by -ya) indicates direction, so it tells us that the action is directed to the door.

What is the difference between basmak and itmek in this context?

Although both basmak and itmek can mean "to push," they carry different nuances here. Basmak implies an action done forcefully or by stamping, while itmek suggests a gentler push. The sentence advises that it is better to push the door gently rather than forcefully stamp on it.

How are the adverbs sertçe and nazikçe formed, and what do they mean?

Both adverbs are formed by adding the -ce suffix to the adjectives. Sert means "hard" or "firm," so sertçe translates as "firmly" or "forcefully". Nazik means "gentle," and nazikçe means "gently." They describe the manner in which the actions are undertaken.

What role does yerine play in this sentence?

Yerine means "instead of" or "in place of." In the sentence, it sets up a comparison between two actions: instead of forcefully pressing on the door (basmak), it is preferable to gently push it (itmek).

What does the phrase daha iyi olur express about the recommendation?

Daha iyi olur literally means "it would be better." It is used here to suggest that the alternative action (gently pushing the door) is a better choice than the original action (forcefully pressing on the door). This construction is a common way in Turkish to give advice in an impersonal or indirect manner.