Breakdown of Ben sokaklarda gezinmek istiyorum.
Questions & Answers about Ben sokaklarda gezinmek istiyorum.
Can I drop Ben from this sentence?
Yes. Turkish is a pro-drop language, which means the subject pronoun can be omitted because the verb ending already indicates the person.
- Ben sokaklarda gezinmek istiyorum.
- Sokaklarda gezinmek istiyorum. (meaning is exactly the same)
What does sokaklarda mean and how is it formed?
sokaklarda = “in/at the streets.” It breaks down as:
- sokak (street)
- -lar (plural suffix → “streets”)
- -da (locative case suffix → “in/at”)
By vowel harmony, -da follows a of sokak, giving sokak- -lar
- -da → sokaklarda.
- -lar
Why is the verb gezinmek used instead of gezmek? What does the extra -in- do?
There are two related verbs:
- gezmek (to go around, visit)
- gezinmek (to stroll, roam about)
The form gezinmek adds the inchoative/reflexive suffix -in-, emphasizing the act of wandering or strolling casually. In many contexts they overlap, but gezinmek often highlights a leisurely activity (“to be out and about”).
Why is the verb written with -mek before istiyorum?
Turkish uses the infinitive (verbal noun) form verb + mek/-mak when another verb (like istemek “to want”) governs it. You’re literally saying:
- gez-in-mek = “to wander”
- istiyorum = “I want”
→ gez-in-me-k istiyorum = “I want to wander.”
Why does istiyorum come at the end and how is it built?
Turkish follows a Subject-Object-Verb order, so auxiliary or main verbs always land at the end.
istiyorum breakdown:
- iste- = root of istemek (“to want”)
- -iyor- = present continuous marker (often used for simple present in Turkish)
- -um = first person singular suffix (“I”)
Literally “I am wanting”, but functionally “I want.”
How do I make this sentence negative? (“I don’t want to wander around the streets.”)
Attach the negative suffix -me- to ister before tense/person endings:
- Sokaklarda gezinmek istemiyorum.
Here istemiyorum = iste- + ‑me- + ‑iyor- + ‑um → “I am not wanting” → “I don’t want.”
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