Ben pencereleri fırça ile temizliyorum.

I am cleaning the windows with a brush.

Breakdown of Ben pencereleri fırça ile temizliyorum.

• ben: I
• ile: with
• temizlemek: to clean
• pencere: the window
• fırça: the brush

Questions & Answers about Ben pencereleri fırça ile temizliyorum.

Why is Ben used here when in Turkish subjects are often omitted?

In Turkish, subject pronouns like Ben (I) are optional because the verb ending already indicates the subject. Including Ben adds emphasis or clarity, but Pencereleri fırça ile temizliyorum alone still clearly means “I am cleaning the windows with a brush.”

What does the -leri ending in pencereleri express?

The ending -ler marks plural (windows) and -i marks the definite direct object (accusative). So pencereleri means “the windows” (specific windows), not just any windows.

Why is the accusative case (the -i in -leri) needed for the object?

Turkish uses the accusative case for a direct object when it’s definite or specific (“the windows”). If it were indefinite (“some windows” or “windows in general”), you would omit -i and say pencereler.

How is the present continuous tense formed in temizliyorum?

1. Start with the verb stem temizle- (to clean).
2. Add the suffix -iyor for present continuous; due to vowel harmony after e, it becomes -iyor.
3. Add the 1st person singular ending -um.
   Result: temizle
   • iyor
     • um = temizliyorum (“I am cleaning”).

Why does temizliyorum include a -y- before -um?

Turkish inserts a buffer consonant -y- when a suffix beginning with a vowel (-um) follows a form ending in a vowel (temizliyor). This avoids two vowels clashing: temizliyor + um → temizliyorum.

What is the role of ile in fırça ile, and what does it mean?

ile is a postposition meaning “with” (instrumental). It follows the noun directly—here fırça (brush)—to indicate the tool used: fırça ile = “with a brush.”

Can we use fırçayla instead of fırça ile?

Yes. -la/-le is the suffix form of ile, so fırçayla also means “with a brush.” The suffix form is more colloquial, while the separate word fırça ile can sound slightly more formal or emphatic.

Is the word order in Ben pencereleri fırça ile temizliyorum fixed?

Turkish word order is flexible thanks to clear case and tense markings. The common order is Subject–Object–Instrument–Verb, but you can say things like Fırçayla pencereleri temizliyorum or Pencereleri ben fırçayla temizliyorum for different emphasis without changing the basic meaning.