Learn Hardcore Turkish: Ben mütevazı olmaya çalışıyorum, çünkü gerçekçilikle hareket etmenin mantığı vardır. - I try to be humble because there is logic in acting realistically.

The phrase "olmaya çalışıyorum" literally means "I try to be". It is constructed from the infinitive "olmak" (to be) with the dative suffix "-maya" (indicating purpose) attached to it, followed by "çalışıyorum" (I try/I am trying), which is in the present continuous tense. This construction is commonly used in Turkish when expressing an effort or intention to attain a state or quality.

Why is the subject pronoun "Ben" included at the beginning of the sentence? Is it necessary?

In Turkish, subject pronouns like "Ben" (I) are often omitted because the verb conjugation already indicates the subject. However, including "Ben" can be used for emphasis or clarity, especially for learners who are still getting accustomed to the language’s flexible subject pronoun usage.

What role does the word "çünkü" play in the sentence?

The word "çünkü" means "because" and serves as a subordinating conjunction. It links the first clause, where the speaker expresses their effort to be humble, with the second clause that offers the reason or justification, namely that acting realistically has its own logic.

How is the expression "gerçekçilikle hareket etmenin mantığı vardır" structured grammatically?

This expression can be broken down into several parts: • "gerçekçilikle" means "with realism" (the instrumental suffix "-le" indicates the means or manner). • "hareket etmenin" is a gerund phrase formed from "hareket etmek" (to act); the suffix "-menin" turns it into a noun phrase equivalent to "acting" or "the act of acting". • "mantığı vardır" translates as "there is logic" or "it has logic", where "mantık" (logic) takes a possessive suffix to refer back to the concept of acting realistically, and "vardır" confirms its existence.
Together, the phrase means that there is a logical reason or justification for acting in a realistic manner.

What does the instrumental suffix "-le" in "gerçekçilikle" indicate?

The suffix "-le" (or "-la" according to vowel harmony) means "with" in English. It is used to express the means or manner by which an action is carried out. In this case, "gerçekçilikle" specifies that realism is the method or quality being applied in the way one acts.