Learn Hardcore Turkish: Laboratuvarda kontaminasyon riskini azaltmak için titizlikle çalışıyoruz. - We work meticulously in the laboratory to reduce the risk of contamination.

The suffix -da is the locative case marker in Turkish, meaning “in/at/on.” You attach it to Laboratuvar (laboratory) to get Laboratuvarda (“in the laboratory”). Because Turkish vowel harmony looks at the last vowel in the word (here u, a back vowel), the locative suffix appears as -da (not -de).

Why is there no case ending on kontaminasyon but there is -ni on riskini?

In a noun phrase like kontaminasyon riski (contamination risk), risk is the head noun and takes the case ending. When you make it a definite direct object, you add the accusative suffix -i. To avoid two vowels in a row, you insert n, yielding risk+-ni = riskini. Kontaminasyon stays unchanged because only the head noun (risk) gets the case marker.

What role does -mek play in azaltmak için?

After the postposition için (“for”/“in order to”), Turkish uses the infinitive form of a verb (verb stem + -mak/-mek) to express purpose. Here:
• azalt- = “to reduce” (verb stem)
• -mak = infinitive ending
So azaltmak için = “in order to reduce.”

What does titizlikle mean, and why the -le ending?

Titizlik means “meticulousness” or “diligence.” The suffix -le is the instrumental case marker (“with”), which can turn a noun into an adverb meaning “with X-ness.” Thus:
• titizlik = meticulousness
• -le = “with” → titizlikle = “with meticulousness,” i.e. “meticulously.”

Why is the verb çalışıyoruz in the present continuous, and how is it formed?

Turkish generally uses the -iyor suffix for present or ongoing actions. Çalışıyoruz breaks down as:
• çalış- = “to work” (stem)
• -ıyor = present tense marker
• -uz = 1st person plural ending (“we”)
So çalışıyoruz = “we are working” (or “we work,” depending on context).

Why does the whole sentence end with the verb instead of the subject or object?

Turkish word order is typically Subject-Object-Verb (SOV). Even though the subject “we” isn’t explicitly stated (it’s implied by -uz), every other element—location, object, purpose phrase, manner—comes before the verb.

What’s the difference between azalmak and azaltmak?

• azalmak = intransitive “to decrease, to go down” (the subject itself decreases)
• azaltmak = transitive “to reduce something” (you actively make it decrease)
Since we actively reduce the risk, we use the transitive azaltmak form.

Could we replace kontaminasyon with a native Turkish word like bulaşma?

Yes, bulaşma riski also means “risk of contamination.” Kontaminasyon is a direct loan from English used in technical contexts; bulaşma is purely Turkish. Both are correct, but kontaminasyon sounds more formal or scientific.