Learn Hardcore Turkish: Ben nakit ödüyorum.

You can drop it. Turkish verb endings already show the subject, so Nakit ödüyorum is fully natural. Use Ben for emphasis or contrast (e.g., “I pay cash,” as opposed to someone else).

Why is it ödüyorum and not ödeyorum?

Because of how the present continuous suffix combines with the verb stem. The verb is öde- “to pay.” With the present continuous -(i)yor, it becomes öde + -iyor → ödüyor (vowel contraction and harmony). Then add the 1st person ending -um: ödüyorum. So the correct form is ödüyorum, not “ödeyorum.”

What does the ending -yor mean here?

-yor is the present continuous (progressive), used for actions happening now or around now, and also for near-future arrangements in context. So ödüyorum is “I am paying.”

What are the parts inside ödüyorum?

öde- = pay (verb stem)
-iyor/-yor = present continuous
-um = 1st person singular Other persons for reference: ödüyorsun, ödüyor, ödüyoruz, ödüyorsunuz, ödüyorlar.

How do I pronounce ödüyorum?

Syllables: ö-dü-yor-um.

ö is like German “ö” (rounded front vowel).
ü is like German “ü” (rounded front vowel).
The “yor” is pronounced “yor” with an “o,” not “yur.”

What is nakit doing in this sentence? Is it the object?

Here nakit functions adverbially: it tells you the manner of payment (“in cash”). It’s not the direct object. If you add an object, you’d mark that object if it’s definite: Hesabı nakit ödüyorum (“I’m paying the bill in cash”), Ücreti nakit ödüyorum.

Could I say nakitle or nakit olarak instead?

Yes:

nakitle = “with cash” (instrumental -le)
nakit olarak = “as cash/in cash” (more formal/explicit) The bare nakit is very common and natural in speech: Nakit ödüyorum.

What’s the default word order? Can I move nakit?

Default Turkish order is SOV, and adverbials usually come before the verb: (Ben) nakit ödüyorum.
Putting nakit after the verb (Ödüyorum nakit) sounds marked or odd unless you’re doing special emphasis.

If I mean a general habit (“I usually pay cash”), should I use a different tense?

Yes, use the aorist for habits: Nakit öderim.

Nakit öderim = I (generally) pay cash.
Nakit ödüyorum = I’m paying cash (now/this time). In casual speech, -yor can sometimes imply a current ongoing pattern, but the aorist is the standard “habit” tense.

How do I negate or ask a question?

Negative: insert -me-/-ma- before -yor: Nakit ödemiyorum (“I’m not paying cash”).
Yes/no question: add the question particle, which harmonizes with the last vowel of the preceding word: Nakit ödüyor mu(y)um? → Nakit ödüyor muyum? (It’s mu because the last vowel in ödüyor is the “o” from -yor.)

How do I say it in the past or the future?

Simple past: Nakit ödedim (“I paid cash”).
Past continuous: Nakit ödüyordum (“I was paying cash”).
Future: Nakit ödeyeceğim (“I will pay cash”).

What’s the difference between nakit and peşin?

nakit = cash (as opposed to card, transfer, etc.).
peşin = paying in full/up front (not necessarily cash; contrasts with installments taksit).
At a cashier comparing cash vs card, you’ll hear: Nakit mi, kartla mı?

Could I use vermek instead of ödemek?

Not in the same way. ödemek = “to pay” (a bill/fee/rent). vermek = “to give.” Nakit veriyorum means “I am giving cash (to someone),” not specifically “I’m paying (a bill).” For payment, stick with ödemek.

How can I politely tell a cashier I’ll pay in cash?

Common options:

Nakit ödeyeceğim.
Nakit ödemek istiyorum.
Nakit ödeyebilir miyim? (“May I pay in cash?”)

Does nakit ever take case endings?

It can, depending on function:

Instrumental: nakitle (“with cash”).
As a specific object: nakiti saydım (“I counted the cash”).
In your sentence, nakit is an adverbial (“in cash”), so it appears bare.

Where is the stress in ödüyorum?

In verbs with -yor, the stress falls on the syllable just before -yor: ö-DÜ-yor-um (not on “-yor-”).