Ben sokaklarda gezinmek istiyorum.

Ben sokaklarda gezinmek istiyorum.
I want to wander around the streets.

Breakdown of Ben sokaklarda gezinmek istiyorum.

ben
I
istemek
to want
sokak
the street
gezinmek
to wander
-da
in/on
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Turkish grammar and vocabulary.

Start learning Turkish now

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.
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:

  1. gez-in-mek = “to wander”
  2. 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.”