Breakdown of Bu tabloyu duvara sabitlemek gerekiyor.
bu
this
gerekmek
to be necessary
duvar
the wall
-ya
to
sabitlemek
to secure
tablo
the picture
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Questions & Answers about Bu tabloyu duvara sabitlemek gerekiyor.
Why is tabloyu in the accusative case?
In Turkish, definite direct objects take the accusative suffix. Here tablo (painting) becomes tablo-yu to mark this painting as the specific object of the verb sabitlemek.
Why is duvara in the dative case?
The dative suffix -a/-e indicates direction or goal. Duvar (wall) + -a → duvara means to the wall, showing where you’re fixing the painting.
What is the root and meaning of sabitlemek?
• Root: sabit (stable)
• Verb-forming suffix: -le- (to make) → sabitle- (to make stable/fix)
• Infinitive marker: -mek → sabitlemek, meaning to fix, to secure.
Why is sabitlemek in the infinitive form?
Turkish expresses necessity with an infinitive + gerekiyor. The structure [Verb-infinitive] gerekiyor literally means “It is necessary to [verb]”.
What is the function of gerekiyor here?
Gerekiyor is the third-person singular form of gerekmek, used impersonally. It means “it is necessary” or “one needs to”. Combined with an infinitive, it expresses a general necessity: “You need to fix…” or “It’s necessary to fix…”.
Why isn’t there an explicit subject like ben or biz?
This is an impersonal necessity construction. The doer is unspecified. If you want to specify I, you say sabitlemem gerekiyor (the infinitive gets a first-person possessive).
How would you say I need to fix this painting to the wall specifically?
You add a first-person possessive to the infinitive:
Bu tabloyu duvara sabitlemem gerekiyor.
Literally: “My fixing this painting to the wall is necessary.”
Can we use lazım instead of gerekiyor?
Yes. lazım also expresses necessity:
Bu tabloyu duvara sabitlemek lazım.
Or, to specify I, Bu tabloyu duvara sabitlemem lazım.
Is the word order fixed, or can it change?
Turkish is fairly flexible. You can say:
• Duvara bu tabloyu sabitlemek gerekiyor
• Sabitlemek gerekiyor bu tabloyu duvara
The key is keeping the infinitive + gerekiyor together; other elements can move for emphasis.