Learn Hardcore Turkish: Bugün kütüphanede sessizce ders çalışabilir miyiz? - Can we study quietly in the library today?

Bugün = today
kütüphane-de = at/in the library (locative suffix -de/-da)
sessiz-ce = quietly (adverbial suffix -ce/-ca)
ders çalış-abil-ir mi-yiz? = can we study?
- çalış- = work/study
- -(y)a bil- = be able to/can (modal)
- -ir = aorist/present-general marker used with the ability modal
- mi = yes/no question particle (written separately)
- -yiz = 1st person plural (“we”) attached to mi, with buffer y

Why is it kütüphane-de and not kütüphane-ye?

-de is the locative suffix meaning “at/in.” -e/-a is the dative “to/toward.” Since the meaning is “at the library,” we use -de: kütüphane-de. If you said kütüphane-ye, it would mean “to the library.”

Why sessizce and not sessiz?

Sessiz is an adjective (“quiet”), but you need an adverb to modify a verb (“quietly”). The adverbial suffix -ce/-ca turns adjectives/nouns into adverbs: sessiz → sessizce (“quietly”). A more wordy alternative is sessiz bir şekilde, but sessizce is more natural here.

What does ders çalışmak mean? Could I just say çalışmak?

Ders çalışmak is the standard way to say “to study (for school).” Çalışmak alone means “to work.” In context, people might understand çalışmak as “study,” but ders çalışmak is clearer and idiomatic. You can also specify a subject: matematik çalışmak; or make it definite: matematik dersini çalışmak (“study the math lesson/course”).

Where is “we” in the Turkish sentence?

It’s encoded by the personal ending -yiz attached to the question particle mi: miyiz = “are we/do we/can we.” Turkish usually drops subject pronouns unless you want emphasis (Biz bugün…).

Why is it miyiz and not mıyız/muyuz/müyüz?

The question particle obeys vowel harmony and matches the last vowel of the immediately preceding word: çalışabilir ends with i (front, unrounded), so we use mi. With other vowels you’d get mı, mu, or mü.

Why is the question particle written separately, and what is the y in miyiz?

Mi/mı/mu/mü is always written as a separate word, but it can take suffixes (like person/tense/copula), which attach directly to it: mi + -iz = miyiz. The y is a buffer consonant used to avoid two vowels colliding (mi-iz → miyiz).

Why not say çalışabiliriz mi?

In yes/no questions for most tenses (progressive, aorist, future, necessitative, potential), the personal ending moves off the verb and attaches to mi: çalışabilir miyiz?, geliyor muyuz?, gelir misin?, gelecek misin? Putting the person on the verb and then adding mi (çalışabiliriz mi) is incorrect.

How is this different from “Shall we study…?” in Turkish?

çalışabilir miyiz? uses the ability/permission modal and politely asks “Can/May we…?” (often sounds like asking for permission/possibility).
çalışalım mı? uses the optative -alım/-elim and suggests “Shall we…?” (a proposal to do it together). For a suggestion to a friend, çalışalım mı? is often more natural.

How do I make it negative?

Statement: çalışamayız = “we can’t study.”
Yes/no question: çalışamaz mıyız? = “Can’t we study?” Negation comes before the question particle and the personal ending still attaches to mi.

Can I change the word order? What changes if I move mi?

Neutral: Bugün kütüphanede sessizce ders çalışabilir miyiz?
Focus by moving mi after the focused word:
- Bugün mü kütüphanede sessizce… çalışabiliriz? = Is it today (as opposed to another day)?
- Kütüphanede mi… çalışabiliriz? = Is it at the library (as opposed to elsewhere)?
- Sessizce mi… çalışabiliriz? = Quietly (as opposed to not quietly)? By default, adverbs like bugün/sessizce and locatives like kütüphanede come before the verb.

Why doesn’t ders take the accusative -i here (dersi)?

Indefinite direct objects in Turkish are unmarked (no -i). In the set phrase ders çalışmak, ders is indefinite and behaves like part of a compound. If you make it definite/specific, you use -i: Bugün matematik dersini çalışabilir miyiz? (“Can we study the math lesson today?”)

When does the person ending stay on the verb instead of attaching to mi?

With the simple past (-di) and evidential past (-miş), the person ending stays on the verb: Geldin mi? (“Did you come?”), Gelmiş miydin? In contrasts like our sentence (with ability/aorist), the person ending attaches to mi: çalışabilir miyiz?

Any tips on pronunciation here?

ç = “ch” in “church”
ş = “sh” in “shoe”
ı (dotless ı) = a central/back vowel, somewhat like the a in “sofa,” not like English i
The stress typically falls near the end: çalışabilir miyiz? has prominent stress on -bir and miYİZ.

How can I make the request softer or more polite?

You can add lütfen (please) or acaba (I wonder) near the beginning or end:

Lütfen bugün kütüphanede sessizce ders çalışabilir miyiz?
Bugün kütüphanede sessizce ders çalışabilir miyiz acaba? Both soften the request.