Learn Hardcore Turkish: Özellik önemli.

In Turkish, the present tense form of the verb “to be” (olmak) is typically omitted in simple statements. So while in English you would say “The feature is important,” in Turkish the idea is conveyed without an explicit “is,” resulting in “Özellik önemli.”

What does the word özellik mean in this context?

Özellik generally means “feature,” “property,” or “characteristic.” In this sentence, it refers to a specific feature or quality that is being described as important.

Why does the adjective önemli come after the noun özellik instead of before it?

In Turkish, when an adjective is used as a predicate (to state something about the subject), it follows the subject. In this case, özellik is the subject and önemli is the predicate adjective. This structure is different from attributions (like in “önemli özellik,” meaning “important feature”) where the adjective precedes the noun.

How can I distinguish between adjectives used attributively and those used in a predicative position in Turkish?

When an adjective is placed directly before a noun (e.g., önemli özellik), it functions attributively by modifying that noun. However, in a sentence like Özellik önemli, the adjective follows the noun and serves as a predicate describing the subject, with the linking verb being omitted as is common in Turkish.

Why is there no article such as “the” before özellik in the sentence?

Turkish does not use articles like “a” or “the.” Whether a noun is definite or indefinite is usually understood from the context. Therefore, özellik stands alone without any article, and its definiteness is inferred from the situation.