Learn Hardcore Turkish: Ben evden çıkmadan önce kapıyı kapatıyorum. - I close the door before leaving the house.

In Turkish, including the subject pronoun (in this case, Ben for “I”) is optional because the verb conjugation already shows who is performing the action. Learners often include it for emphasis or clarity, but it isn’t required by the grammar.

What does “evden” mean, and how is it formed in this sentence?

The word ev means “house/home,” and when the suffix -den is added, it becomes evden, which indicates “from the house.” This use of the ablative case shows origin or source.

How is the phrase “çıkmadan önce” constructed and what does it mean?

“Çıkmadan önce” is a temporal clause meaning “before leaving.” It is formed by taking the verb çıkmak (“to leave”), converting it to its negative gerund form çıkmadan (literally “without leaving”), and then adding önce, which means “before.” Together, they indicate that the main action happens prior to leaving.

What tense is the verb “kapatıyorum,” and what does it convey in the sentence?

“Kapatıyorum” is in the present continuous tense. It is formed by adding the tense marker -yor before the personal ending. This tense can express a current action or a habitual one. Here, it implies that the speaker routinely or habitually closes the door before leaving the house.

Why is the direct object “kapıyı” marked with the suffix “-yı”?

In Turkish, the definite direct object takes the accusative case marker. In the case of kapı (“door”), the suffix becomes -yı due to vowel harmony and consonant assimilation, indicating that “the door” is a specific, known object.