Kanal çok uzun.

The channel is very long.

Breakdown of Kanal çok uzun.

• olmak: to be
• çok: very
• uzun: long
• kanal: the channel

Questions & Answers about Kanal çok uzun.

Why is there no verb equivalent to “is” in this sentence?

In Turkish, the copula “to be” is typically dropped in simple present statements when the meaning remains clear. “Kanal çok uzun.” translates to “The channel is very long” even though “is” is not explicitly stated.

What role does the word “çok” play in the sentence?

“Çok” means “very” and functions as an adverb that intensifies the adjective “uzun” (long), indicating that the channel is not just long, but very long.

How does the word order in “Kanal çok uzun.” compare to that in English?

The structure follows a subject-adverb-adjective order. “Kanal” is the subject, “çok” modifies the adjective “uzun.” Unlike English, which requires the linking verb “is” (“The channel is very long”), Turkish often omits this verb in the present simple, making the sentence more succinct.

Why is there no article before “kanal”?

Turkish does not use definite or indefinite articles like “the” or “a.” Thus, “kanal” stands alone to mean either “channel” or “the channel,” with the correct interpretation depending on context.

How would I change the sentence to say “The channel is not very long”?

To form the negative, you add the word “değil” at the end of the sentence. The negative version would be “Kanal çok uzun değil.” This construction negates the adjective, conveying “The channel is not very long.”