Bayrak, ulusun bir simgesi olarak kabul edilir.

The flag is regarded as a symbol of the nation.

Breakdown of Bayrak, ulusun bir simgesi olarak kabul edilir.

• bir: a
• olarak: as
• -un: of
• bayrak: the flag

Questions & Answers about Bayrak, ulusun bir simgesi olarak kabul edilir.

Why is there a comma after Bayrak?

In Turkish you can mark a topic or fronted element with a comma for emphasis or clarity. Here Bayrak (“the flag”) is introduced as the topic, so the comma makes it stand out. It’s optional, not mandatory.

What does ulusun bir simgesi mean, and why both -un and -si suffixes?

This is the “possessor–possessed” construction.

• ulus-un is the genitive form (“of the nation”), with -un as the 3rd person genitive suffix.
• simge-si adds -si, the 3rd person possessive suffix, to “symbol.”
  Together ulusun bir simgesi literally means “the nation’s a symbol,” i.e. “a symbol of the nation.”

Why is bir used before simgesi?

Turkish has no standalone indefinite article like “a.” You use bir to mark indefiniteness.

• ulusun bir simgesi = “a symbol of the nation.”
  If you omit bir, ulusun simgesi becomes “the nation’s symbol” (definite).

What role does olarak play in this sentence?