Learn Hardcore Turkish: Acı biber lezzetli.

Turkish often omits the present tense form of the verb to be when using adjectives as predicates. The meaning “The hot pepper is delicious” is clear without an explicit is, as the copula is understood from context.

How is the adjective and noun order structured in this sentence?

In Turkish, adjectives generally come before the noun they modify. In Acı biber, acı (“hot” or “spicy”) directly describes biber (“pepper”), following the common adjective–noun order.

Does the word acı have more than one meaning, and how do I know which meaning applies here?

Yes, acı can mean both “bitter” and “hot/spicy” depending on context. In acı biber, it is understood to mean “hot” or “spicy,” referring to the flavor of the pepper.

Why doesn’t the sentence include an article like the before acı biber?

Turkish does not use articles equivalent to the English a or the. Whether a noun is definite or indefinite is determined by context rather than by an article, so Acı biber lezzetli. can be interpreted as either “The hot pepper is delicious” or “Hot pepper is delicious.”

Is any punctuation needed between acı biber and lezzetli in this sentence?

No additional punctuation is required. Turkish typically uses a straightforward structure in simple equative sentences where the subject and the predicate adjective follow consecutively, with a final period marking the end of the sentence.