Duvarda pas var.

to be

Breakdown of Duvarda pas var.

• duvar: the wall
• -da: on
• pas: the rust

Questions & Answers about Duvarda pas var.

What does Duvarda pas var literally mean, and how is it used?

Literally it means “On the wall rust there is,” which corresponds to English “There is rust on the wall.” In Turkish existential sentences, you state the location first (with a locative suffix), then the thing that exists, and end with var (“there is”).

What is the function of the suffix -da in duvarda?

The suffix -da marks the locative case, indicating the place where something exists. So duvar (“wall”) + -da = duvarda, “on the wall.”

Why is there no article before pas?

Turkish does not use definite or indefinite articles like “the” or “a/an.” Instead, existence is shown with var (“there is/are”). You simply say pas var for “there is rust,” without adding an article.

What kind of verb is var, and why does it appear at the end?

Var is an existential verb meaning “there is/there are.” Turkish is a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) language, so verbs usually come at the end of the sentence.

Why isn’t pas marked with a case ending?

In existential sentences, the noun that denotes what exists stays in the nominative case (unmarked). Only the location gets the locative suffix (-da).

Does var change for number or person?

No, var is invariable. It always means “there is/are” in the third person, regardless of singular or plural:

• Duvarda pas var. – “There is rust on the wall.”
• Masada kitaplar var. – “There are books on the table.”

Can I use yok in the same way?

Yes. Yok is the negative existential verb, meaning “there isn’t/aren’t.” For example:
Duvarda pas yok. – “There is no rust on the wall.”

How would I ask a question about this sentence?

You can turn it into a yes/no question by adding the question particle -mı/-mı/-mu/-mü after the locative:

Duvarda pas var mı? – “Is there rust on the wall?”