Sıcaktan bunalıyorum.

I am overwhelmed by the heat.

Breakdown of Sıcaktan bunalıyorum.

• -tan: from
• sıcak: the heat
• bunalmak: to feel overwhelmed

Questions & Answers about Sıcaktan bunalıyorum.

Why is sıcak in the form sıcaktan?

In Turkish the ablative case (-dan) often indicates cause or origin (“from,” “because of”). After the vowel a, vowel harmony turns -dan into -tan, so sıcak + tan = sıcaktan, literally “from the heat,” i.e. “because of the heat.”

What does the verb bunalmak mean, and how is it different from bunaltmak?

• bunalmak is an intransitive verb meaning “to feel oppressed, stifled, overwhelmed” (mentally or physically).
• bunaltmak is its transitive counterpart, meaning “to oppress or overwhelm someone.”
So in “Sıcaktan bunalıyorum”, you are saying “I am overwhelmed (bunalıyorum) by the heat (sıcaktan),” without naming an external agent.

Why is bunalıyorum in the present continuous tense rather than the simple present (bunalırım)?

Turkish uses the present continuous suffix -ıyor/-iyor for actions or states happening right now. The simple present (aorist) like bunalırım marks habitual or general truths, not a temporary feeling. Since you’re feeling hot at this moment, you use bunalıyorum.

Can you break down how the form bunalıyorum is constructed?

Sure:
• bunal- = verb root (“to be oppressed”)
• -ı- = buffer vowel (for consonant clusters)
• -yor = present continuous marker
• -um = 1st person singular ending
Put together: bunal + ı + yor + um = bunalıyorum (“I am feeling stifled”).

What about using the past tense Sıcaktan bunaldım—is that correct?

Yes. bunaldım is the past tense of bunalmak, so Sıcaktan bunaldım means “I got overwhelmed by the heat” (a completed event). In contrast, Sıcaktan bunalıyorum says “I am overwhelmed by the heat right now.”

Are there alternative ways to say “I am overwhelmed by the heat” in Turkish?

Absolutely. A few options:
• Sıcak beni bunaltıyor. (“The heat is overwhelming me.”)
• Hava çok bunaltıcı. (“The weather is very oppressive.”)
• Sıcak kavuruyor. (“It’s scorching hot.”)
• Çok bunaltıcı bir sıcak var. (“There is an extremely oppressive heat.””)