Breakdown of Projede bazı eksiklikler var; bu eksiklikleri tamamlamalısın.
bu
this
proje
the project
bazı
some
-de
in
tamamlamak
to complete
var
to be
eksiklik
the deficiency
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Questions & Answers about Projede bazı eksiklikler var; bu eksiklikleri tamamlamalısın.
Why is the word var used in the first clause, and what does it mean?
In Turkish, there is no verb equivalent to “to be” in the present tense. Instead, var is used as an existence marker. In the sentence, "Projede bazı eksiklikler var" literally means “In the project, some deficiencies exist,” which is equivalent to “There are some deficiencies in the project” in English.
How is the plural form expressed in this sentence, and why does the noun change from eksiklikler to eksiklikleri?
The noun eksiklik (“deficiency”) becomes eksiklikler when the plural suffix -ler (or -lar depending on vowel harmony) is added, indicating there are multiple deficiencies. In the second clause, the noun appears as eksiklikleri because it serves as the direct object of the verb tamamlamak (“to complete”). Turkish marks direct objects with the accusative suffix (here, -i) that is attached to the plural form, resulting in eksiklikleri.
What function does the demonstrative bu serve in bu eksiklikleri, and does it mean “this” or “these”?
The demonstrative bu is used to specify which deficiencies are being discussed. Although bu is often translated as “this,” when it accompanies a plural noun (as indicated by eksiklikleri), it effectively means “these.” It ties the second clause back to the deficiencies mentioned in the first clause.
How is obligation expressed in tamamlamalısın?
In Turkish, obligation is conveyed by attaching a modal suffix to the verb. The base verb tamamlamak (“to complete”) receives the obligation suffix -malı/-melidir, which in this conjugation becomes -malısın. The ending -sın indicates that the verb is in the second person singular, so tamamlamalısın means “you must complete” or “you have to complete.”
Why isn’t the subject explicitly stated in the sentence?
Turkish is a pro-drop language, meaning subject pronouns are usually omitted because the verb conjugation itself carries the necessary person and number information. In tamamlamalısın, the ending -sın tells us that the intended subject is “you,” making an explicit subject unnecessary.