Learn Hardcore Turkish: Antrenman yaparak kendimi mükemmel hissetmeye başladım.

The suffix -arak transforms the verb “yapmak” (to do) into an adverbial clause, meaning “by doing.” In this sentence, “antrenman yaparak” translates as “by training” or “through training,” showing the method by which the main action is carried out.

Why is the reflexive pronoun “kendimi” used in this sentence?

“Kendimi” means “myself” and serves a reflexive function in Turkish. It clarifies that when the speaker says “hissetmek” (to feel), they are referring to their own internal state. This reflexive structure is common with verbs that describe feelings, ensuring it’s clear the subject is experiencing the emotion.

How is the structure “hissetmeye başladım” formed, and why is the infinitive used here?

The phrase consists of two parts:
• “hissetmeye” is the infinitive form of “hissetmek” (to feel), modified with the suffix -meye due to vowel harmony and its usage after a verb like “başlamak.”
• “başladım” means “I began” or “I started.”
Together, they form the construction “I started to feel,” which is similar to how English uses “started to” followed by a base verb.

What is the overall meaning of the sentence?

The sentence “Antrenman yaparak kendimi mükemmel hissetmeye başladım” means “I started to feel perfect by training.” It indicates that engaging in training led the speaker to begin experiencing a sense of perfection.

Why does Turkish often place adverbial clauses like “antrenman yaparak” at the beginning of the sentence?

Turkish typically positions adverbial clauses at the start to provide context regarding the manner, cause, or means of the main action. Here, beginning with “antrenman yaparak” immediately informs the listener about the method—training—that influenced the speaker to start feeling perfect.