Learn Hardcore Turkish: Ayşe, kitap okumadan yatmıyor. - Ayşe does not go to bed without reading a book.

The suffix -madan is attached to the verb okumak (to read) to form okumadan, which means "without reading." It turns the reading action into a condition, indicating that the main action (going to bed) does not occur unless this condition is met.

Why is there a comma after Ayşe?

The comma separates the subject from the conditional phrase that follows. In this sentence, it helps clarify that the condition of not reading a book applies specifically to Ayşe’s bedtime routine, enhancing both clarity and emphasis.

Does the verb yatmıyor indicate a one-off event or a habitual behavior?

The verb yatmıyor is in the negative present simple form, which in Turkish often describes a habitual action. Therefore, it implies that Ayşe consistently follows the rule of reading a book before going to bed.

How does this sentence structure compare to similar constructions in English?

In English, you would express this idea as "Ayşe doesn't go to bed without reading a book." Both the Turkish and English versions use a negative construction combined with a condition to emphasize that one action (reading) is necessary before the other (going to bed) can occur.

Is it acceptable to write the sentence without a comma after Ayşe?

While Turkish punctuation can be flexible, including the comma after Ayşe is common practice to clearly separate the subject from the conditional clause. Omitting it might be acceptable in informal writing, but the comma helps to avoid ambiguity and improves readability.