Bu makine düzenli olarak yağlanmalı.

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Questions & Answers about Bu makine düzenli olarak yağlanmalı.

In Bu makine düzenli olarak yağlanmalı, what kind of verb form is yağlanmalı?
Yağlanmalı is a third-person singular verb in the passive voice combined with the -malı suffix, which expresses necessity/obligation. Literally, “it must be oiled.”
What does the suffix -malı indicate here?
The suffix -malı/-meli is used to show that something must happen or should happen. It adds a sense of deontic necessity (obligation) to the verb.
Why is the verb in the passive voice (yağlanmalı) rather than active?
Using the passive focuses on the action itself (“being oiled”) rather than who is doing it. Often in instructions or maintenance manuals, the agent (person who oils) is unimportant or implied, so you use the passive.
Why is there no direct object in the sentence?
In Turkish, when you turn an active verb into passive, the original object either becomes the subject or is dropped. Here, bu makine is the subject (nominative) and there is no separate direct object.
What is the function of düzenli olarak in this sentence?
Düzenli olarak means “regularly.” It’s an adverbial phrase modifying the verb, telling us how often the machine must be oiled.
Why do we add olarak after düzenli? Could we say just düzenli yağlanmalı?
  • Düzenli by itself is an adjective (“regular”). To use it as an adverb, you attach -li (but düzenli already has -li) and then olarak.
  • In colloquial Turkish you might hear düzenli yağlanmalı, but the more precise adverbial form is düzenli olarak.
What is the grammatical role of Bu at the beginning?
Bu is a demonstrative pronoun meaning “this.” It points to a specific machine: “this machine.”
How do you turn Bu makine düzenli olarak yağlanmalı. into a yes/no question?

Add the interrogative particle (with vowel harmony) at the end:
Bu makine düzenli olarak yağlanmalı mı?
(The rising intonation and question mark make it a question.)

How could you express the same obligation in the active voice?

You’d need a subject (we) and the object in accusative:
Bu makineyi düzenli olarak yağlamalıyız.
(“We must oil this machine regularly.”)

Is there a difference between düzenli and sürekli in this context?

Yes:

  • Düzenli olarak = at regular intervals (e.g. every week/month).
  • Sürekli olarak = continuously or constantly (without pause).
    So düzenli olarak yağlanmalı means it needs periodic lubrication, not nonstop.