Questions & Answers about Zemin temiz olmalı.
Why is there no article before zemin?
Turkish does not have definite or indefinite articles. Nouns appear without articles, so zemin can mean a floor, the floor, or simply floor depending on context.
What does the suffix -malı in olmalı indicate?
The suffix -malı/-meli expresses necessity or obligation. Combined with the verb root ol-, olmalı means should be or must be.
How is olmalı formed from olmak?
Start with the verb root ol- (to be), then add the necessity suffix -malı. Vowel harmony turns the suffix into -malı, yielding olmalı.
Why is zemin in the nominative (unsuffixed) form rather than the accusative?
Here zemin is the subject of the sentence. Turkish uses the bare nominative form for subjects. The accusative suffix -ı/-i marks definite direct objects, not subjects.
Why is temiz placed before olmalı instead of directly after zemin?