Learn Hardcore Turkish: Özgüven, başarılı bir kariyerin temelidir. - Self-confidence is the foundation of a successful career.

The suffix -dir (with its variants -dır, -dur, -dür) functions as a copula in Turkish. It plays the same role as the verb "is" in English, formally linking the subject with its predicate. In this sentence, temelidir means “is the foundation”, declaring that self-confidence forms the basis of a successful career.

What is the purpose of the -in ending in kariyerin?

The ending -in attached to kariyer marks the genitive case in Turkish. This indicates possession or a relationship between nouns. In this context, kariyerin translates to “of a career”, showing that the foundation (temel) belongs to or is related to a career.

How is the concept of an indefinite article expressed in the phrase başarılı bir kariyerin?

Turkish does not have separate words for the indefinite articles “a” or “an.” Instead, the numeral bir is used to convey the meaning of “a” or “one.” So in başarılı bir kariyerin, bir helps to express the idea of “a successful career” without needing a distinct article.

Why does the adjective başarılı appear before kariyerin, and does it change form to match the noun?

In Turkish, adjectives typically precede the noun they modify, as seen with başarılı immediately before kariyerin. Unlike in some other languages, adjectives in Turkish remain in their base form and do not change according to the noun's case, number, or gender, which is why başarılı stays the same regardless of the modifications on kariyerin.

What role does the comma after Özgüven play in this sentence?

The comma after Özgüven serves to separate the subject from the rest of the sentence, enhancing clarity. Although Turkish punctuation rules can sometimes be more flexible, in this sentence the comma helps emphasize that Özgüven (self-confidence) is being clearly defined as “the foundation of a successful career.”