Learn Hardcore Turkish: Kupa dolu.

In Turkish, the copula (the verb to be) is typically omitted in the present tense when stating a fact. The adjective dolu directly follows the noun kupa to indicate its state—in English, we add is for clarity, but in Turkish this omission is perfectly natural.

What role does dolu play in the sentence, and does it require any additional inflection?

Dolu functions as a predicate adjective that describes kupa. In Turkish, adjectives used in this way remain invariant—they don’t change based on the noun’s number or case. This is why dolu appears in its base form, regardless of the context.

Why does the sentence use a subject-adjective order, and can this order vary in Turkish?

When describing the state of a noun (i.e., using a predicate adjective), Turkish typically follows a subject-adjective order. Although adjectives can come before the noun in attributive positions (like dolu kupa to mean “full cup”), in predicate structures the adjective follows the subject. The structure of Kupa dolu. is standard for stating a condition or state.

How is definiteness handled in Kupa dolu. given that there’s no article like the?

Turkish does not use definite or indefinite articles (such as the or a/an). The noun kupa stands alone, and context is used to determine whether it’s definite or not. So, even though Kupa dolu. literally omits an article, it is understood in English as “The cup is full.”

Is kupa a native Turkish word, and does its origin affect sentence structure?

Kupa is actually a loanword in Turkish, borrowed from another language (similar to how English incorporates words from Latin or French). Despite its origin, it follows the same grammatical rules as native Turkish nouns. Therefore, the construction of Kupa dolu. remains standard, with no special modifications required due to its etymology.