Eczacı reçeteyi aldı, sonra ilaçları seçti.

Eczacı reçeteyi aldı, sonra ilaçları seçti.
The pharmacist took the prescription and then selected the medicines.
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Turkish grammar and vocabulary.

Start learning Turkish now

Questions & Answers about Eczacı reçeteyi aldı, sonra ilaçları seçti.

Why does reçeteyi end with -yi?

In Turkish, a definite direct object (a specific item) takes the accusative case suffix -i. Here:

  • Reçete (prescription) is definite → needs accusative
  • Because the word ends in a vowel, we insert the buffer consonant y to avoid two vowels in a row
    Result: reçete+y+i = reçeteyi (“the prescription”).
Why is ilaçları formed with -ları?

This word shows plural plus definite object:

  • Stem ilaç (medicine) + plural suffix -lar (vowel harmony with “a”) → ilaçlar
  • Add accusative -ı (no buffer since “ç” is a consonant) → ilaçlar+ı = ilaçları (“the medicines”).
Why are there no subject pronouns like “he” or “she”?

Turkish is a pro-drop (null-subject) language. The verb endings tell you who is acting:

  • aldı ends in -dı, marking 3rd person singular past
  • seçti ends in -ti, also 3rd person singular past
    Thus “he/she” is understood and not stated.
What is the role of sonra, and is the comma mandatory?

Sonra means “then” or “afterwards,” linking two actions in time.

  • It functions like a time-sequence adverb
  • You can place it at the start of the second clause or right after a comma
    The comma isn’t grammatically required but often used to signal a pause:
    Eczacı reçeteyi aldı, sonra ilaçları seçti.
Why do we see aldı but seçti, with different consonants?

Both verbs use the simple past suffix -DI (with vowel harmony: -dı/-di/-du/-dü). The initial consonant changes by voicing assimilation:

  • After a voiced consonant (l in al-) it becomes -dı → aldı
  • After a voiceless consonant (ç in seç-) it becomes -tı → seçti
Why is the word order subject-object-verb (SOV) here?

Turkish’s default word order is SOV:

  • Subject (Eczacı)
  • Object (reçeteyi / ilaçları)
  • Verb (aldı / seçti)
    You can shift elements for emphasis, but verbs typically stay at the end of their clause.
Can I rearrange or split this sentence without changing its meaning?

Yes. Turkish allows flexibility for focus or style:

  • Emphasize the time: Sonra eczacı reçeteyi aldı.
  • Emphasize the medicines: İlaçları eczacı seçti.
  • Split into two sentences or add ve (“and”) if you prefer:
    Eczacı reçeteyi aldı. Sonra ilaçları seçti.
    Eczacı reçeteyi aldı ve sonra ilaçları seçti.