Learn Hardcore Turkish: Doğru davranış insanı mutlu eder. - Correct behavior makes a person happy.

insanı is the direct object of the verb phrase mutlu etmek (“to make someone happy”).
In Turkish, a definite direct object takes the accusative suffix -ı/-i/-u/-ü depending on vowel harmony.
Since “person” here is what is being made happy, it gets -ı, marking it as the object, while the subject (doğru davranış) remains unmarked.

What tense and aspect does mutlu eder express?

eder is the 3rd person singular aorist (simple present/habitual) of etmek (“to do/make”).
The aorist in Turkish conveys general truths, habitual actions, or timeless statements.
So mutlu eder means “(it) makes … happy” as a general fact—equivalent to English simple present.

Why use mutlu etmek instead of mutlu olmak here?

mutlu etmek = “to make someone happy” (transitive; you cause happiness).
mutlu olmak = “to become happy” or “to be happy” (intransitive; the subject experiences happiness).
Since the sentence says “right behavior causes happiness in a person,” the transitive etmek is needed.

Why are there no articles like “a” or “the” in this sentence?

Turkish has no direct equivalents of English a/an or the.
Nouns appear bare, and definiteness for objects is shown by the accusative suffix.
Generic or proverbial statements typically omit articles entirely.

What is the standard word order in Doğru davranış insanı mutlu eder, and can it be changed?

The default Turkish word order is Subject–Object–Verb (S–O–V):
• Subject = doğru davranış (“right behavior”)
• Object = insanı (“the person”)
• Verb = mutlu eder (“makes … happy”)
You can rearrange for emphasis, but the finite verb generally stays at the end.

How is davranış formed, and what part of speech is it?

davranış is a noun meaning “behavior.”
It’s derived from the verb davranmak (“to behave”) plus the noun-forming suffix -ış/-iş/-uş/-üş.

How do you pronounce the dotless ı in davranış and insanı?

The Turkish ı is a close back unrounded vowel [ɯ], unlike any English vowel.
Think of a tenser, unrounded version of the er in “father,” without lip rounding.
Approximate IPA:
• davranış [davˈɾanɯʃ]
• insanı [inˈsanɯ]

What nuance does doğru carry in doğru davranış? Could it mean “proper” or “honest”?

doğru literally means “right” or “correct.”
In moral or ethical contexts it can also imply “proper,” “righteous,” or “honest.”
Depending on nuance, doğru davranış may be rendered as “proper behavior,” “righteous conduct,” or “honest behavior.”