Learn Hardcore Turkish: Masa cam.

Turkish often omits the present tense form of the verb to be in equational sentences. In Masa cam., the relationship between masa (table) and cam (glass) is understood—so the sentence means “The table is glass.” The verb is is implied rather than explicitly stated.

How should we interpret the word order in Masa cam.?

The sentence follows a subject-predicate structure. Masa is the subject in the nominative case, and cam is the predicate noun (also in the nominative case) that describes the subject. This straightforward placement is typical in Turkish identity sentences where the linking verb is omitted.

Does Masa cam. mean “glass table” or “the table is glass”?

Masa cam. means “the table is glass.” If you intended to say “glass table” as a compound noun (indicating a table made of glass), Turkish would generally use the reversed order—cam masa. The given word order clearly establishes an identity statement rather than a compound noun.

What role does cam play in this sentence?

In Masa cam., cam acts as a predicate noun describing the nature or material of the table. It tells you what the table is (i.e., made of glass) and, as with many Turkish equational sentences, it does so without an explicit copula.

Can a linking verb be added to this sentence, and if so, how?

Yes, a linking verb can be added for emphasis or formality. For example, you could say Masa camdır. The suffix -dır serves as a copula meaning “is.” However, omitting the copula, as in Masa cam., is common in everyday Turkish speech.