Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Turkish grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Dağdan duman geliyor.
What is the literal translation of Dağdan duman geliyor?
Literally, it translates to "Smoke is coming from the mountain." Here, dağ means mountain, -dan is the ablative suffix meaning from, duman means smoke, and geliyor means is coming.
What does the suffix -dan indicate in dağdan?
The suffix -dan is the ablative case marker in Turkish. It shows source or origin, so when attached to dağ (mountain), it means "from the mountain."
Why is the verb form geliyor used instead of gelir in this sentence?
Geliyor is the present continuous form of gelmek (to come). It expresses an action occurring right now or as a general observation, which fits the context of the sentence.
How does the word order in Dağdan duman geliyor compare with English structure?
Turkish often places adverbial phrases (like dağdan) at the beginning, followed by the subject (duman) and then the verb (geliyor). In English, the more natural order is subject-verb-adverbial phrase—"Smoke is coming from the mountain." Both structures are correct, but the emphasis differs between the languages.
Is it acceptable to say Duman dağdan geliyor instead?
Yes, saying Duman dağdan geliyor is grammatically correct. However, changing the order can shift the emphasis. The original order emphasizes the source first, while placing duman at the beginning simply makes smoke the clear subject right away.
Can Dağdan duman geliyor be used idiomatically, or is it always literal?
While the literal meaning is "Smoke is coming from the mountain," this sentence can also be used idiomatically. In some contexts, it might imply that there’s evidence of something significant or suspicious unfolding—much like the English expression "there’s smoke on the horizon." The intended nuance depends on the context in which it’s used.