Learn Hardcore Turkish: Operatör radyo sinyalini alıyor. - The operator is receiving the radio signal.

Turkish doesn’t use separate words for articles. Instead, definiteness is shown by case endings (and context). For example, adding the accusative suffix -i marks the radio signal as definite. Without that suffix you’d get an indefinite meaning, akin to a radio signal.

Why does sinyalini end with -ni, and what would change if I remove it?

The -ni here is the accusative case suffix -(y)i (buffer consonant n + vowel i) showing a definite object.
• With -ni (sinyalini) it means “the radio signal.”
• Without it (radyo sinyali) it would mean “a radio signal,” i.e. an indefinite object.

How do you break down sinyalini into root and suffix(es)?

sinyalini =
• sinyal (root “signal”)
• -i (3rd-person singular possessive: “its signal”)
• -ni (buffer n + accusative -i: “the signal” as a definite object)

All together it literally means “its signal” in the accusative.

Why is radyo unmarked for genitive (there’s no -nun on it)?

In many Turkish compounds—especially technical terms—the first noun remains unmarked, like English “radio signal.” So radyo sinyali is a fixed compound. If you wanted the literal genitive, you’d say radyonun sinyali.

What’s the difference between radyo sinyali and radyonun sinyali?

Both translate as “the radio’s signal.”
• radyo sinyali is a compact compound (no genitive on radyo).
• radyonun sinyali uses the standard genitive suffix -nun on radyo plus the possessive -i on sinyal.

What is the function of -ıyor in alıyor, and why is there no extra person ending?

-ıyor is the present-continuous (progressive) tense marker. You form it as al- (root “take/receive”) + -ıyor = “is receiving.” Third-person singular adds no further suffix, so alıyor alone means “he/she/it is receiving.”

Why can the subject operatör be dropped, and would the sentence still make sense?

Turkish is a pro-drop language: the verb ending already shows person. You can say just Radyo sinyalini alıyor, and context will tell you “He/she/it is receiving the radio signal.” Adding operatör simply makes the subject explicit.

What is the typical word order in the sentence Operatör radyo sinyalini alıyor?

Turkish normally follows Subject-Object-Verb (SOV). Here you have:
• Operatör (Subject)
• radyo sinyalini (Object)
• alıyor (Verb)

You can rearrange words for emphasis, but SOV is the default.

How does vowel harmony decide which vowel to use in suffixes like -i, -ı, -u, or -ü?

Suffix vowels in Turkish harmonize with the last vowel of the stem:
• after a/e use -ı/-i
• after o/u use -u
• after ö/ü use -ü

When attaching -(y)i to sinyali (which ends in i), you use -i, giving -ni (buffer n + i).

Where is the stress in Operatör radyo sinyalini alıyor, and how do I pronounce it?

Most Turkish words are stressed on the last syllable. Approximate pronunciation:
• Operatör → o-pe-ra-TÖR
• radyo → ra-DYO
• sinyalini → sin-ya-LI-ni
• alıyor → a-LI-yor

Overall you’ll hear a slight emphasis on tör, dyo, li, and yor.