Bu köprü yüzyıllardır ayakta duruyor.

This bridge has been standing for centuries.

Breakdown of Bu köprü yüzyıllardır ayakta duruyor.

• bu: this
• köprü: the bridge
• yüzyıllardır: for centuries
• ayakta durmak: to stand

Questions & Answers about Bu köprü yüzyıllardır ayakta duruyor.

What does Bu köprü yüzyıllardır ayakta duruyor literally mean?

Literally, it means “This bridge has been standing upright for centuries.” More naturally in English: “This bridge has stood for centuries.”

What is the role of Bu in this sentence?

Bu is the demonstrative pronoun “this.” It points to a specific bridge that is near the speaker or already known in context.

Why isn’t there an article like “the” before köprü?

Turkish does not use definite or indefinite articles equivalent to English “the” or “a/an.” The demonstrative Bu serves to specify “this bridge” without needing “the.”

What case is köprü in, and why?

Köprü is in the nominative case, because it is the subject of the sentence. Turkish marks objects, possessives, etc., with suffixes, but a simple subject usually stays in the nominative with no suffix.

What does yüzyıllardır mean, and how is it formed?

Yüzyıllardır means “for centuries.” It comes from yüzyıl (century) + -lar (plural suffix) + -dır (a suffix that here indicates a continuing time span, similar to “for”). So literally “for the centuries” – “for centuries.”

Why is the verb duruyor in the present continuous tense?

In Turkish, the present continuous -yor suffix can express an action or state that started in the past and continues now. So duruyor here conveys “has been standing and still stands.”

What does ayakta duruyor mean? Why not just duruyor?

Durmak alone means “to stop” or “to stand.” But ayakta durmak specifically emphasizes “to stand upright” or “remain standing.” It highlights stability or endurance.

How do you pronounce yüzyıllardır? Any special rules?

Pronunciation: yoo-zuh-YIL-lar- DUR
Pay attention to:

• ü as in German “über.”
• Double l is pronounced with a slightly longer /l/ sound.
• Stress usually falls on the last syllable: -dır.

Is there any nuance to using ayakta durmak versus dik durmak?

Both can mean “stand upright,” but ayakta durmak is more common for inanimate things like bridges, walls, statues. Dik durmak is often used for people (e.g., “Dik dur!” — “Stand up straight!”).

Could I say Bu köprü yüzyıllardır duruyor without ayakta?

Yes, it’s grammatically correct, but less precise. Duruyor alone might sound like “it exists” or “it remains”. Ayakta duruyor emphasizes the bridge is still physically standing.