Learn Hardcore Turkish: Dostluk her zaman önemlidir.

In Turkish, adjectives can function as predicates when combined with the copula suffix -dir (or its variations). This suffix essentially plays the role of the verb “is” in English, forming a complete statement. While the suffix is often omitted in casual speech, its inclusion in “önemlidir” adds formality and clarity, especially in written or formal contexts.

What is the function of the phrase her zaman in this sentence?

The phrase her zaman means “always” and acts as an adverbial modifier indicating frequency. It specifies that the quality expressed by the predicate applies at all times. In Turkish sentence structure, placing time or frequency expressions between the subject and the predicate is quite common.

How does the sentence structure of “Dostluk her zaman önemlidir” compare to typical English sentence order?

In this Turkish sentence, the structure starts with the subject dostluk (“friendship”), followed by the adverbial phrase her zaman (“always”), and concludes with the predicate önemlidir (“is important”). Unlike English, where the copula “is” is a separate word linking the subject to its compliment, Turkish attaches this linking function to the adjective via the -dir suffix. This reflects one of the key differences in how both languages construct sentences.

Can the -dir suffix be omitted in everyday conversation, and if so, what changes?

Yes, in informal spoken Turkish the suffix is frequently dropped, so you might hear “Dostluk her zaman önemli.” However, omitting makes the sentence less formal. Retaining the suffix is typical in formal writing and when the speaker wants to emphasize the statement strongly.