Learn Hardcore Turkish: Taze ekmek markette satılıyor.

Turkish does not use articles like “the” or “a.” A bare noun can be definite or indefinite depending on context. Here taze ekmek simply means “fresh bread” in a general sense (“Fresh bread is sold…”), without an explicit article.

How is markette formed, and why does it have -te instead of -de (or -da / -ta)? Also, why is the T doubled?

market is the borrowed word “market.” To say “in/at the market,” you add the locative case suffix, which is -da / -de / -ta / -te. Vowel harmony rules pick -te because e is a front, unrounded vowel. When you attach -te to market, the final t of market plus the suffix t merge into a single, lengthened tt, written markette.

What does satılıyor mean, and how is it built?

satılıyor is the passive progressive form of satmak (“to sell”). You start with the root sat-, add the passive suffix -ıl (giving satıl-), then the progressive -ıyor (yielding satıl-ıyor), and finally the personal ending (here neutral). So satılıyor literally means “is being sold” or “gets sold.”

Why isn’t taze ekmek in the accusative case (with -i)?

In a passive sentence, the direct object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive verb. That “subject” is left in the nominative (unmarked) form. Also, when something is mentioned generally (fresh bread, in general), you don’t mark it as definite with -i anyway.

Could I use the active voice instead, for example Taze ekmek markette satıyorlar?

Yes. Taze ekmek markette satıyorlar means “They sell fresh bread at the market.” It’s the third-person plural active. The passive (satılıyor) shifts focus away from “who” does the selling and onto the bread’s availability.

Can I change the word order? For instance, Markette taze ekmek satılıyor?

Absolutely. Turkish word order is relatively flexible. The neutral order is Subject-Object-Verb, but placing markette first highlights the location (“At the market…”). Both orders are correct; the emphasis or flow of information changes slightly.

What’s the difference between satılıyor and satılır in this sentence?

satılıyor is the progressive; it suggests an ongoing action or that fresh bread is currently on sale. satılır is the aorist (general fact): Taze ekmek markette satılır would mean “Fresh bread is (regularly) sold at the market,” stating a habitual or timeless fact rather than a present ongoing action.