Breakdown of Uzun süre ayakta durmak yoruyor.
uzun
long
süre
the time
ayakta durmak
to stand
yorulmak
to tire
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Turkish grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Uzun süre ayakta durmak yoruyor.
Why is there no explicit subject in Uzun süre ayakta durmak yoruyor?
In Turkish, an infinitive verb phrase can act as the subject. Here, Uzun süre ayakta durmak (“standing for a long time”) is the subject. Since it’s a third-person noun phrase, we just use the verbal predicate yoruyor (“tires/is tiring”) without adding “ben,” “sen,” etc.
What is the function of -mak in durmak, and how does it make the verb act like a noun?
The suffix -mak/-mek turns a verb into its infinitive form (a verbal noun). So durmak is “to stand.” When you use durmak in its infinitive form, it behaves like a noun, letting you say “Standing […] is tiring.”
What does the -yor in yoruyor express, and why is it used instead of a simple present tense?
Turkish does not have a separate simple present tense for general truths. The suffix -yor serves both for the present progressive (“is tiring right now”) and for habitual/general truths (“tires”). So yoruyor can mean “it tires” as a general fact.
How is ayakta durmak constructed, and what do ayak, -ta, and durmak each mean?
ayak = foot; adding the locative suffix -ta gives ayakta = “on the foot.” Combined with durmak (“to stand”), ayakta durmak literally means “to stand on the feet,” i.e. “to stand.”
Why is uzun süre used to mean “for a long time”? Can I just say uzun before ayakta durmak?
uzun süre is a noun phrase meaning “long duration.” You cannot drop süre; uzun alone is an adjective and needs a noun. To express “for a long time,” you need süre (or alternatives like uzun zamandır).
Could I use ayakta kalmak instead of ayakta durmak, and what’s the difference?
Yes, ayakta kalmak (“to remain standing”) is possible. ayakta durmak is the basic “to stand,” while ayakta kalmak emphasizes “staying standing.” Both are understood, but ayakta durmak is slightly more direct.
How do I say “Standing for a long time tires me”?
Add the first-person accusative pronoun beni before yoruyor: Uzun süre ayakta durmak beni yoruyor.
How would I make the sentence negative?
Use the negative suffix -ma before -yor, getting yormuyor: Uzun süre ayakta durmak yormuyor.
How can I turn it into a question?
Add the question particle -mu (with vowel harmony) after yoruyor: Uzun süre ayakta durmak yoruyor mu?