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Questions & Answers about Sinagogun bahçesindeki ağaçlar, eski zamanlardan kalma az sayıda yapının arasından yükseliyor.
What case is indicated by the suffix -un in sinagogun, and why is it used?
The suffix -un on sinagogun marks the genitive case, indicating possession (of the synagogue). It’s necessary because bahçesindeki (in the garden of) needs to show whose garden it is.
How is the word bahçesindeki formed, and what does each part mean?
It breaks down as:
- bahçe = garden
- -de = locative suffix (in)
- -ki = relative adjective suffix (that/which is)
Together, bahçesindeki means “in the garden (that belongs to [someone]).”
What does eski zamanlardan kalma mean, and how is it constructed?
Literally “remaining from ancient times.” Components:
- eski zamanlar = ancient times
- -dan on zamanlardan = ablative suffix (from)
- kalma = verbal noun/participle (that which remains)
So eski zamanlardan kalma = “dating back to ancient times.”
What is the function of az sayıda in this sentence?
az sayıda means “a small number of” or “few in number.” It modifies yapının, indicating that only a few of the ancient structures remain.
Why is yapının in the genitive case here?
The noun yapının (of the building[s]) takes the genitive because it’s the object of the postposition arasından. In Turkish, whatever you’re “among” must be in the genitive form before arasında/arasından.
What role does the postposition arasından play, and why does it have -ndan?
arasında means “among.” Adding -ndan makes the ablative arasından (from among), indicating movement out of that group—here, “rising from among the few ancient structures.”
Why is the verb yükseliyor in the present continuous form instead of a simple present?
Turkish uses -iyor for both the habitual/simple present and the present continuous. Here it conveys a general observation—the trees rise or are rising—without implying a strictly ongoing action at this exact moment.
How is the word order arranged in this sentence?
Turkish typically follows Subject–Object–Verb but allows flexibility. Here:
- Sinagogun bahçesindeki ağaçlar = subject (the trees in the synagogue’s garden)
- eski zamanlardan kalma az sayıda yapının arasından = adverbial phrase (from among the few structures dating back to ancient times)
- yükseliyor = verb (rise)
The verb comes at the end.
Why is there a comma after ağaçlar?
Turkish punctuation is more flexible than in English. This comma isn’t mandatory but helps separate the subject phrase from the lengthy adverbial clause, improving readability and adding emphasis.