Learn Hardcore Turkish: Bu melodinin tonu çok hoş. - The tone of this melody is very pleasant.

In Turkish, to show possession (“of the melody”), the possessor noun takes the genitive suffix -(n)in. So melodi + -nin = melodinin (“of the melody”). Without that ending, you wouldn’t mark that relationship.

What role does the suffix -u play in tonu?

The suffix -u is the third-person singular possessive marker. It turns ton (“tone”) into tonu (“its tone”). Together, melodinin tonu literally means “the melody’s tone.”

Why is there no word for “is” in Bu melodinin tonu çok hoş?

Turkish drops the copular verb “to be” in simple present-tense adjective sentences. The adjective at the end functions as “is.” So çok hoş = “(it is) very pleasant.”

Why is çok placed before hoş?

Çok is an adverb meaning “very.” Adverbs modifying adjectives appear directly before the adjective. Hence çok hoş = “very pleasant,” not “pleasant very.”

What exactly does hoş mean here? Could I use a different adjective?

Here hoş means “pleasant,” “nice,” or “agreeable.” You could swap it for:

• güzel (“beautiful”)
• tatlı (“sweet/nice”)
• keyifli (“enjoyable”)

…but you’ll slightly shift the nuance each time.

Can I drop tonu and say Bu melodi çok hoş?

Yes. Bu melodi çok hoş means “This melody is very pleasant.” You lose the specific focus on the melody’s tone, but the general idea remains.

How does vowel harmony determine -nin after melodi?

Turkish has four genitive endings: -ın, -in, -un, -ün. You pick the one matching the last vowel of the noun. Melodi ends in i (a front unrounded vowel), so you choose -in, giving you melodinin.

How would I pronounce Bu melodinin tonu çok hoş?

Pronounce it syllable by syllable:
Bu /bu/
me-lo-di-nin /me-lo-di-nin/
to-nu /to-nu/
çok /tʃok/
hoş /hoʃ/
Each vowel is distinct, and stress is light and roughly even.