Learn Hardcore Turkish: Arkadaşlarımızı parkta bir araya getirmeliyiz. - We must bring our friends together in the park.

Breakdown of arkadaşlarımızı:
• arkadaş = “friend”
• -lar (plural) → arkadaşlar = “friends”
• -ımız (1st person plural possessive) → arkadaşlarımız = “our friends”
• -ı (definite accusative) → arkadaşlarımızı = “(we must gather) our friends”

Why does arkadaşlarımızı take the accusative -ı suffix?

In Turkish, you add the accusative suffix (-ı/-i/-u/-ü) to a direct object when it’s definite or specific. Here we mean those exact friends of ours, so we mark them as a definite object with -ı.

What does parkta mean, and why is it in the locative case?

parkta = park + -ta (locative) = “in the park” or “at the park.” The locative case shows where something happens.

What does bir araya getirmeliyiz literally mean, and how is it built?

• bir araya = “into one place” or “together” (idiomatic)
• getir = root of “to bring”
• -me = negative/nominalizing slot (here it helps form the necessity structure)
• -li = part of “must/should” formation (harmonizes to -meli)
• -yiz = 1st person plural ending
So getirmeliyiz = “we must bring (them),” and bir araya getirmeliyiz = “we must bring (them) together.”

Why is -meliyiz used instead of a simple imperative like “getirin”?

-meliyiz expresses necessity (“we must/should”). A simple imperative (e.g. getirin “you (pl.) bring”) is a direct command to others. Here the speaker is including themselves—“let’s make sure we gather them”—so Turkish uses -meliyiz (“we must”).

What’s the difference between bir araya getirmek and bir araya gelmek?

• bir araya gelmek = “to come together” (intransitive; the subjects assemble themselves)
• bir araya getirmek = “to bring together” (transitive; someone causes others to assemble)
Since “we” are arranging our friends, we use getirmek.