Question 1

Why is there no verb in Saat duvarda?

Accepted Answer

In Turkish simple present statements the copula “to be” normally doesn’t appear. Instead of saying “Saat duvarda  var” or “Saat duvarda  oluyor”, you simply state “Saat duvarda”, and the meaning “The clock is on the wall” is understood.

Question 2

What case is duvarda, and how is it formed?

Accepted Answer

duvarda is the locative case, expressing “in/at/on the wall.”  
– Root: duvar (wall)  
– Suffix: -DA (locative)  
  • The D becomes d after the voiced consonant r.  
  • The A becomes a because duvar’s last vowel a is back.  
Putting them together you get duvar + da → duvarda.

Question 3

Why is there no article before saat?

Accepted Answer

Turkish doesn’t have separate words for “a” or “the.” Context tells you whether a noun is definite or indefinite. If you really want to stress “a clock,” you can add bir (one):  
• Bir saat duvarda. → “There’s a clock on the wall.”  
Without bir, Saat duvarda can mean “A clock is on the wall” or “The clock is on the wall,” depending on context.

Question 4

How would I say “There is a clock on the wall” using var?

Accepted Answer

For existence you normally front the location, add an indefinite noun, then var:  
• Duvarda bir saat var. → “There is a clock on the wall.”  
That’s the standard existential pattern: [Locative] + [indef. noun] + var.

Question 5

How do I ask “Where is the clock?” and answer it with this phrase?

Accepted Answer

You ask:  
• Saat nerede? (“Clock where?” → “Where is the clock?”)  
And you answer:  
• Saat duvarda. (“Clock is on-the-wall.”)

Question 6

Could I say Saat duvarın üstünde instead of Saat duvarda?

Accepted Answer

Yes. duvarın üstünde literally means “on top of the wall.” Grammatically it’s duvarın (wall-GENITIVE) + üst (top) + -ünde (locative). It’s more specific. But in everyday speech Saat duvarda (“The clock is on the wall”) is perfectly natural and often preferred.

Question 7

Can I switch the word order, like Duvarda saat?

Accepted Answer

You can, but without var it may feel like a newspaper headline or labeling a photo. If you intend an existential meaning (“There’s a clock on the wall”), say Duvarda bir saat var. If you want the simple predication (“The clock is on the wall”), the neutral order is Saat duvarda.

Saat duvarda.

Breakdown of Saat duvarda.

Questions & Answers about Saat duvarda.

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Master Turkish — from Saat duvarda to fluency