Learn Hardcore Turkish: Meyveler bu sıcak havada daha hızlı olgunlaşıyor.

bu = this, sıcak = hot, hava = weather, and the locative suffix -da means “in/at.” So bu sıcak havada literally is “in this hot weather.”

Why is hava in the locative case (as havada)?

In Turkish, to express “in” or “at” something, you add the locative suffix -da/-de to the noun. Here hava + -da becomes havada, indicating the setting “in this weather.”

What does daha hızlı mean and why is daha used?

hızlı means “fast.” To form a comparative (“faster/more quickly”), you put daha (“more”) in front. So daha hızlı means “faster” or “more quickly.”

Is hızlı an adjective or an adverb here?

In Turkish, adjectives can directly modify verbs as adverbs without changing form. So hızlı (fast) acts as an adverb to describe olgunlaşıyor (ripening) and together with daha it becomes a comparative adverb.

How do you analyze the verb olgunlaşıyor?

The root is olgunlaş- (“to ripen/mature”). Then you have the theme vowel -ı- and the present continuous suffix -yor giving olgunlaşıyor, meaning “is ripening.” Third-person plural subjects don’t need an extra suffix, so it ends in -yor.

Why is there no plural marker on the verb even though meyveler is plural?

In Turkish, third-person plural subjects can either appear with a verb that has the plural suffix -lar (e.g. olgunlaşıyorlar) or with the bare third-person form -yor. The unmarked form is more common in everyday speech.

What is the basic word order in this sentence?

Turkish is normally Subject-Object-Verb, but adverbial phrases (like bu sıcak havada and daha hızlı) can appear before the verb. Here the order is Subject (Meyveler), Adverbials (bu sıcak havada, daha hızlı), Verb (olgunlaşıyor).

Could you use another adverb instead of daha hızlı, like daha çabuk?

Yes. çabuk also means “quick(ly).” daha çabuk = “quicker.” So you could say Meyveler bu sıcak havada daha çabuk olgunlaşıyor with very similar meaning.