Learn Hardcore Turkish: Domateslerin rengi çok canlı görünüyor.

The suffix -lerin performs two functions. It marks the noun as plural (from domates to domatesler, meaning tomatoes) and it indicates a possessive relationship. Thus, Domateslerin translates as the tomatoes'.

How is the possessive construction formed in Domateslerin rengi?

Turkish expresses possession by attaching suffixes directly to the nouns. In Domateslerin rengi, domateslerin (the tomatoes') is the possessor, while rengi (color) is the possessed noun that takes a suffix agreeing with the possessor. Together, they mean the color of the tomatoes.

Why is the verb görünüyor in the present continuous tense, and what does it imply?

The verb görünüyor features the -iyor suffix, which indicates that the action or state is currently in progress. It implies that the tomatoes’ color is looking or seems very lively at this moment.

What does the adjective canlı mean, and why is it paired with çok?

The adjective canlı means vivid, lively, or bright. When preceded by çok (meaning very), it amplifies the intensity, so çok canlı suggests that the color is extremely vivid or vibrant.

Which word in the sentence functions as the grammatical subject?

Although Domateslerin appears at the beginning, the logical subject here is rengi (color). In Turkish possessive constructions, the possessed noun takes the role of the subject, so it is the color that is being described.

Why is there no equivalent of the definite article "the" in this sentence?

Turkish does not use definite or indefinite articles like the or a/an. Instead, definiteness is inferred through context and structures like possessive suffixes. In rengi, the context already implies the tomatoes’ color without needing a separate article.