Questions & Answers about Kalem masanın üstünde.
Why is there no verb like is in the sentence Kalem masanın üstünde?
In Turkish simple‐present equational or locative sentences, the copula “to be” is omitted. You just state the subject and its location. So Kalem masanın üstünde literally reads “Pen table-GEN top-LOC,” i.e. “The pen is on the table.”
Why is masa changed to masanın?
masanın is the genitive (possessor) form of masa. You add the genitive suffix -nın/-nin/-nun/-nün (here -nın by vowel harmony) to show “of the table.” In a genitive–locative construction like masanın üstünde, the possessor takes the genitive case.
What does üstünde break down into?
üstünde =
üst (top)
- 3rd-person singular possessive suffix -ü (“its top”/“the top of it”)
- locative case suffix -nde (“on/in”).
Altogether it means “on top of (it),” so masanın üstünde = “on top of the table.”
Why is there an n in üstünde before the -de?
When you attach the locative suffix -de to a noun already carrying a possessive suffix (here -ü), you insert an n as a buffer. Thus -de becomes -nde in üst+ü+nde.