Learn Hardcore Turkish: Kardeşim kemanı çaldı.

The word kardeş means “sibling” or “brother/sister” in Turkish. The suffix -im is a first-person singular possessive marker, so kardeşim translates to “my sibling.” This method of attaching possessive suffixes to the noun is a common feature in Turkish.

Why does keman change to kemanı in this sentence?

In Turkish, when a definite direct object is used, it takes an accusative case suffix. For the noun keman (“violin”), the accusative marker -ı (adjusted to -i, -u, or -ü according to vowel harmony rules) is added, making it kemanı. This suffix indicates that a specific, definite object is being referred to.

What tense is the verb çaldı, and how does it agree with the subject?

The verb çaldı is in the simple past tense and is conjugated for third person singular. It is derived from the verb çalmak, which can mean “to play” (an instrument) or “to steal.” Here, the -dı ending marks it as past tense, and the subject is understood from the context as “my sibling.”

Since çalmak can mean both “to play” and “to steal,” how do we know which meaning is intended in this sentence?

The meaning is clarified by the object. In this sentence, the object is kemanı (the violin), which is typically played rather than stolen. Therefore, the context indicates that means “played” in this case. Moreover, the meaning would be ambiguous only if context did not make it clear.