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Questions & Answers about Bu araba garantili.
Why is there no verb equivalent to “is” in the sentence “Bu araba garantili.”?
Turkish often omits the present simple copula when using predicate adjectives. In this sentence, “garantili” acts as the predicate adjective describing “araba” (car), so there’s no need for an explicit “is.”
What does the suffix -li in “garantili” mean and how does it function?
The suffix -li attaches to the noun “garanti” (warranty) to form an adjective. It conveys the idea of “having” or “with” something. Therefore, “garantili” literally means “with warranty,” implying that the car comes with a warranty.
What are the grammatical roles of bu, araba, and garantili in this sentence?
In “Bu araba garantili”:
• Bu is a demonstrative adjective meaning “this”, pinpointing which car is being referenced.
• Araba is a noun meaning “car.”
• Garantili is a predicate adjective formed by the -li suffix, describing the car as coming with a warranty.
Together, they form an equational sentence that means “This car is with a warranty.”
Why is garantili placed after araba instead of before it?
In Turkish, when an adjective serves as a predicate (completing a sentence without an explicit verb), it follows the subject. Although adjectives can appear before the noun when used attributively, in this sentence “garantili” comes after “araba” because it functions as a predicate adjective in a zero-copula construction.
Can garantili be used in an attributive position, and would its meaning change if it were placed before araba?
Yes, garantili can be used attributively before the noun (e.g., garantili araba), and its core meaning remains the same—indicating that the car comes with a warranty. The difference lies in the sentence structure: when used in a predicative position (after the noun), Turkish omits the copula, while attributive use directly modifies the noun.