Learn Hardcore Turkish: Bilgileri okumak yetmez, ana fikri kavramak da gerekir. - It’s not enough to read the information; one must also grasp the main idea.

Both phrases are infinitive constructions that act as noun phrases. In Turkish, using the bare infinitive (as in okumak – “to read” and kavramak – “to grasp/understand”) together with their objects (bilgileri and ana fikri) creates phrases that function as the subjects of their respective clauses. This impersonal construction emphasizes the actions themselves.

What does the word yetmez mean, and why is it used in the first clause?

Yetmez means “is not enough” or “does not suffice.” In the first clause, Bilgileri okumak yetmez conveys that merely reading the information is insufficient. It highlights that an additional or alternative action is required to fully understand the content.

What role does the particle da play in the second clause?

The particle da means “also” or “too.” In the second clause, its placement in ana fikri kavramak da gerekir emphasizes that, apart from reading the information, grasping the main idea is similarly necessary. It adds an additive nuance that links both required actions.

Why are the verbs in their infinitive forms rather than conjugated?

Turkish often employs the infinitive as a way to create verbal nouns, especially in impersonal judgments or general statements. Here, okumak and kavramak are used in their base forms to denote the general activities of reading and understanding without tying the actions to a specific subject. This construction centers the discussion on the actions themselves rather than on who is performing them.

Can this sentence be rephrased in Turkish while preserving the same meaning?

Yes, the sentence can be rephrased. For example, one might say: “Bilgileri okumak yeterli değildir; ana fikri kavramak da şarttır.” This version maintains the meaning that merely reading the information isn’t enough—it is equally important to grasp the main idea.