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Questions & Answers about Ben modayı seviyorum.
What is the role of -yI in modayı and why is there a y?
modayı is the word moda in the accusative case. The suffix for a definite direct object is -I (which appears as -ı/-i/-u/-ü by vowel harmony). Since moda ends in a vowel, Turkish inserts a buffer consonant y before the suffix to avoid a vowel-vowel clash. Hence moda + y + ı = modayı.
Why is the verb seviyorum at the end of the sentence?
Turkish follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order. That means the verb typically comes last. So you say Ben (I) + modayı (fashion-ACC) + seviyorum (am liking/loving) rather than placing the verb in the middle.
How is seviyorum formed? What are its parts?
seviyorum consists of three pieces:
- Root sev- (to like/love)
- Present continuous suffix -(I)yor (here -iyor by vowel harmony)
- First-person singular suffix -(I)m (here -um by vowel harmony)
Put together: sev- iyor
- um = seviyorum.
- iyor
Why use the present continuous seviyorum instead of the simple present severim for “I like/love fashion”?
The aorist (simple present) severim often expresses habitual or general actions (“I generally like fashion”). The present continuous seviyorum emphasizes an ongoing situation or current feeling (“I’m liking/loving fashion right now”). Both are correct; choose seviyorum for a current preference and severim for habitual liking.
Can I drop the ben and just say modayı seviyorum?
Yes. Turkish verbs carry subject information, so the pronoun ben (I) is optional. Omitting it is very common: Modayı seviyorum still means “I like/love fashion.”
Does sevmek always mean love, or can it mean like as well?
Sevmek covers both to like and to love in Turkish. Context tells you how strong it is. For romantic or deep love you also use sevmek (“Ben seni seviyorum” = “I love you”). For lighter tastes (“I like chocolate”), Turks often use sevmek, though you can choose hoşlanmak for a milder “be fond of.”
How would I say I don’t like fashion?
Insert the negation suffix -me- before -yor and keep the accusative on moda:
Modayı sevmiyorum (I don’t like/love fashion).