Learn Hardcore Turkish: Yağmur dinince, köpek dışarı çıkar. - When the rain stops, the dog goes outside.

In this context, dinince comes from the verb dinmek (“to stop” or “to calm down”) combined with the suffix -ince, which is used to form temporal subordinate clauses. Essentially, it conveys the meaning “when (something happens)” or “after (something happens).” Therefore, yağmur dinince translates to “when the rain stops.”

How does the word order in this Turkish sentence compare to typical English sentence structure?

Turkish often structures its sentences differently from English. In this sentence, the subordinate clause yağmur dinince (“when the rain stops”) is placed at the beginning, directly setting up the condition. The main clause köpek dışarı çıkar (“the dog goes outside”) follows. In English, while you might have a similar structure, it is also common to see the main clause first. The Turkish order emphasizes the condition before stating the consequence.

What is the tense of the verb çıkar in the main clause, and why is this form used?

The verb çıkar is in the aorist tense, which in Turkish is used to express habitual actions, general truths, or scheduled events. Here, it indicates that “whenever the rain stops, the dog goes outside” is a regular or expected occurrence. The aorist does not strictly refer to present time; rather, it sets a general rule.

Why is there a comma after yağmur dinince?

The comma is used to separate an introductory subordinate clause from the main clause. Since yağmur dinince provides the condition for the action that follows in köpek dışarı çıkar, the comma helps clarify the sentence structure and enhances readability by signaling where the subordinate clause ends and the main clause begins.

Is it possible to rearrange the clauses in this sentence, and what impact might that have?

Yes, it is possible to rearrange the clauses in Turkish due to its flexible word order. However, the original order—placing the subordinate clause first—clearly establishes the condition under which the main action occurs. If you swap the clauses, for example, köpek dışarı çıkar, yağmur dinince, the emphasis shifts, and the sentence might sound less natural or alter the intended focus. The conventional order helps maintain clarity and coherence in expressing causality.

How does this sentence illustrate the use of temporal clauses in Turkish grammar?

This sentence is a clear example of how Turkish creates temporal clauses using suffixes like -ince. By attaching -ince to the verb root din-, it signals that the action in the main clause depends on a specific temporal condition—namely, the cessation of rain. This method of forming subordinate clauses is a common feature in Turkish and is crucial for indicating time-based relationships between events.