Learn Hardcore Turkish: Ben restoranda iyi servis alınca hesaba bahşiş ekliyorum. - I add a tip to the bill when the service is good at the restaurant.

In Turkish, subject pronouns like Ben (I) are optional because the verb ending already shows the subject. Here Ben is included for emphasis or contrast: “I, when I get good service at a restaurant, I add a tip to the bill.” You can drop it without changing the meaning:
• Restoranda iyi servis alınca hesaba bahşiş ekliyorum.

What does the suffix -da in restoranda mean?

-da is the locative case ending, meaning “in/at.” You attach it to restoran to get restoranda, “at the restaurant.” Vowel harmony chooses -da (rather than -de) because restoran ends with the vowel a.

Why is it servis alınca and not servis alırsam or servis aldığımda?

The suffix -ınca (from -ince) on the verb expresses “when” or “once” something happens. So servis alınca = “when I receive service.”
• servis alırsam uses the conditional “if I receive service,” which feels more hypothetical.
• servis aldığımda also means “when I receive service,” but is slightly more formal or emphasizes the time point more explicitly.

What is the literal meaning of servis almak, and why do we use almak here?

In Turkish many nouns pair with almak (“to take/receive”) to form verbs that mean “to get/receive [noun].” Thus servis almak literally means “to receive service,” i.e. “to be served.”

Why doesn’t servis take the accusative case (why not servisi)?

Turkish marks definite direct objects with the accusative suffix -ı/-i/-u/-ü. Here iyi servis is used in a general or indefinite sense (“good service” in general), so no accusative is needed. If you referred to a specific known service, you could say o servisi alınca (“when that service is received”).

What does the suffix -a in hesaba indicate?

-a is the dative case ending, meaning “to” or “onto.” hesap (bill) + -a = hesaba, “to the bill.”

What does bahşiş eklemek literally mean, and how would it differ from bahşiş vermek?

Literally, bahşiş eklemek means “to add a tip” (bahşiş = tip, eklemek = to add). You’re adding the tip onto the bill total. bahşiş vermek means “to give a tip,” which is also correct but focuses on handing over the tip rather than piling it onto the bill.

Why is ekliyorum in the present continuous when the action is habitual?

In Turkish, the present continuous form (-iyor) often conveys habitual or repeated actions, not just actions happening right now. So ekliyorum here means “I habitually add” rather than “I am adding (at this moment).”

Could I say Restoranda iyi servis alırsam hesaba bahşiş eklerim instead? How would the nuance change?

Yes.
• -ırsam ... eklerim uses a conditional mood (“if I get good service, I will add a tip”), which can sound more hypothetical.
• -ınca ... ekliyorum feels more natural for a routine: “When I get good service, I (as usual) add a tip.”