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Questions & Answers about Sözleşme yarın imzalanmalı.
Why isn't there an explicit subject (like O, Ali, biz) in this sentence?
Because the sentence is in the passive voice. In Turkish passive constructions, the object of the active verb becomes the grammatical subject and there is no need to mention an agent if it’s unknown or unimportant. Thus Sözleşme (“the contract”) is the subject, and no pronoun is required.
How is imzalanmalı formed? Can you break down its morphemes?
imza- (root: “signature”)
- -la (verb-forming suffix → imzalamak “to sign”)
- -n (passive voice suffix → imzalanmak “to be signed”)
- -malı (necessity suffix → imzalanmalı “must/should be signed”)
What does the suffix -malı indicate, and how is it different from the future tense?
-malı/-meli adds a sense of necessity or obligation (“must,” “should,” “have to”). It is not a future-tense marker. If you wanted a simple future passive, you’d use imzalanacak (“will be signed”), whereas imzalanmalı means “should/must be signed.”
Why is it Sözleşme and not Sözleşmeyi?
In passive sentences the original object becomes the subject and takes the nominative case. Subjects in Turkish are unmarked for case, so you don’t add the accusative suffix -i.
How would you mention who has to sign the contract?
You can add an agent with tarafından:
• Sözleşme yarın Ali tarafından imzalanmalı.
(“The contract should be signed by Ali tomorrow.”)
Can we change the word order, for example putting yarın at the beginning?
Yes. Turkish word order is flexible. You can say:
• Yarın sözleşme imzalanmalı.
Putting yarın first emphasizes the time. The most neutral order is Sözleşme yarın imzalanmalı.
Is there a difference between Sözleşme yarın imzalanmalı and Sözleşmeyi yarın imzalamalıyız?
Yes.
• Sözleşme yarın imzalanmalı: passive necessity, unspecified agent (“The contract must be signed tomorrow”).
• Sözleşmeyi yarın imzalamalıyız: active necessity with “we” as subject (“We must sign the contract tomorrow”).
What nuance does -malı add compared to English must, should or have to?
-malı/-meli covers all those English modals depending on context. It can be a strong obligation (“must have to”) or a softer recommendation (“should”), so the tone is inferred from situation and intonation.
Why is the vowel in -malı an a and not an e?
Turkish vowel harmony requires the suffix vowel to harmonize with the last vowel of the stem. The stem imza-la-n ends in a, so we use -malı, not -meli.
How would you turn the sentence into a question like “Should the contract be signed tomorrow?”
Add the question particle mı after the verb:
• Sözleşme yarın imzalanmalı mı?