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Questions & Answers about Bu haber beni derinden üzdü.
Why is beni used instead of ben?
In Turkish, definite direct objects take the accusative suffix -i, -ı, -u or -ü (depending on vowel harmony). ben is the nominative pronoun I, so as the object it becomes beni (me) to show it’s being affected by the verb.
What does derinden mean and how is it formed?
derin is the adjective deep, and -den is the ablative case suffix meaning from. Together derinden literally means from the depth, but here it functions as the adverb deeply.
Why is the ablative suffix -den used to form the adverb derinden, rather than another adverbial suffix like -ce?
Turkish can form manner adverbs in two main ways:
• adjective + -ce/-ca (e.g. hızlıca quickly)
• adjective + ablative -den to express source or manner (e.g. arkadan from behind → behind, derinden deeply)
What role does Bu play before haber?
Bu is the demonstrative determiner this, specifying which news you mean—so Bu haber means this news.
Why doesn’t haber take any suffix here? Shouldn’t it be marked for case or definiteness?
haber is the subject, and Turkish subjects in the nominative case generally carry no suffix, even when definite. Only direct objects (like beni) get case markings for definiteness.
Why does üzdü end with -dü instead of another vowel?
The verb root is üz (to sadden/upset). To form the simple past third-person singular, you add -(i)di, which harmonizes with the root vowel ü, becoming -dü. So üz + dü = üzdü (it upset).
What is the typical word order of this sentence, and how does it compare to English?
Turkish follows Subject–Object–Verb (SOV). Here the structure is:
Subject: Bu haber
Object: beni
Adverb: derinden
Verb: üzdü
English is Subject–Verb–Object (SVO): This news upset me deeply.
Who is the subject in Bu haber beni derinden üzdü, and why isn’t there a pronoun like it?
The subject is Bu haber (this news). Turkish doesn’t use dummy pronouns like English it; you simply state the noun or pronoun that’s doing the action.
How can you add an intensifier like very or a lot to this sentence?
You can insert çok before either derinden or üzdü:
• Bu haber beni çok üzdü – This news upset me a lot.
• Bu haber beni çok derinden üzdü – This news upset me very deeply.
Can you rearrange the word order for emphasis, for example Beni derinden bu haber üzdü?
Yes. Turkish word order is flexible. By fronting Beni derinden, you emphasize me deeply, and the sentence remains grammatical: Beni derinden bu haber üzdü.
What’s the difference between Bu haber beni üzdü and Bu habere üzüldüm?
• Bu haber beni üzdü uses the transitive verb üzmek with beni in the accusative → This news upset me.
• Bu habere üzüldüm uses the intransitive/reflexive verb üzülmek, so haber takes the dative -e → I got upset over this news.
