Learn Hardcore Turkish: Lavaboyu sabunla temizleyip suyla iyice duruladım. - I cleaned the sink with soap and rinsed it thoroughly with water.

In Turkish, definite direct objects (specific items you have in mind) take the accusative suffix -ı/-i/-u/-ü according to vowel harmony. Here lavabo (“sink”) becomes lavaboyu because it has back vowels and takes -u, plus the buffer consonant y before a vowel. This signals “the sink” as a specific object you cleaned.

What does the -la in sabunla and suyla mean?

The suffix -la/-le is the instrumental case marker, meaning “with” or “by means of.” So sabunla is “with soap” and suyla is “with water.” You choose -la or -le based on vowel harmony (back vs. front vowels).

Why is it suyla and not su ile? Aren’t they both valid?

Yes, su ile (“water with”) is a fully separate form. suyla is the more colloquial, contracted version where su + buffer y + -la fuse into one word. Both are grammatically correct.

What is the function of -yip in temizleyip?

-yip (a variant of -ip) is a converb (bağ-fiil) suffix that links actions in sequence: “having cleaned ... then …” It lets you chain verbs without repeating subjects or tense markers.

Why do we use temizlemek (“to clean”) first and then durulamak (“to rinse”)? Couldn’t you wash directly with water?

Semantically, cleaning with soap (temizlemek) removes dirt and grease. durulamak specifically means “to rinse off soap or detergent with water.” They’re two distinct steps: soap first, water rinse second.

What does iyice mean, and how is it formed?

iyice is an adverb meaning “thoroughly” or “really well.” It’s formed from iyi (“good”) + the adverbial suffix -ce, giving the sense “in a good/complete way.”

How is the past tense formed in duruladım?

Break it down: durula- (stem of durulamak, “to rinse”) + -dı/-di (past tense suffix, here -dı after back vowel) + -m (1st person singular). So duruladım = “I rinsed.”

Why don’t we use another -ip or conjunction: why not “temizleyip de duruladım”?

You could say temizleyip de duruladım; the -de adds emphasis (“and then” or “even”). But temizleyip duruladım is perfectly natural for a simple sequence. The plain -ip already means “after doing X, I did Y.”