Learn Hardcore Turkish: Kendi işini kurmak, gerçek anlamda bağımsız olmayı gerektirir. - Starting one’s own business truly requires being independent.

Kendi means “one’s own” or “self.” It’s used here to stress that the business being established belongs personally to the subject, distinguishing it from someone else’s business.

Why is the word işini used instead of just iş?

İşini derives from iş (“business” or “work”) with added suffixes: a possessive marker (referring to “one’s”) and the accusative case ending. This form makes it clear that the business set up is the subject’s own.

Why is the verb kurmak in its infinitive form rather than a conjugated form?

In Turkish, when a verb forms part of a noun or gerund phrase acting as the subject—as in kendi işini kurmak—it remains in its infinitive form. This structure is common when an action is conceptualized as a general activity rather than a specific event.

What does gerçek anlamda mean, and how does it affect the meaning of the sentence?

Gerçek anlamda translates to “in a truly” or “in a real sense.” It serves as an adverbial phrase that emphasizes that the type of independence required is genuine and substantive, not merely superficial.

What is the function of the phrase bağımsız olmayı in the sentence?

Bağımsız olmayı is a noun phrase where bağımsız (“independent”) is paired with olmak (“to be”) in its gerund form (olmayı with the accusative marker). This phrase functions as the object of gerektirir, specifying the state or quality that is required.

What tense is gerektirir, and why is it placed at the end of the sentence?

Gerektirir is in the simple present tense, which is used for general statements or truths. In Turkish, the verb typically comes at the end of the sentence, a structure that differs from English, where the verb usually follows the subject.