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Questions & Answers about Şimdiye kadar üç kez telefon ettim, açmadı.
What does Şimdiye kadar mean, literally and functionally?
It literally means up to now / so far.
- Morphology: şimdi (now) + dative -e → buffer y gives şimdiye
- kadar (as far as, until).
- Function: Sets a time frame that reaches the present, often yielding a present-perfect-like meaning in English.
Why is the simple past ettim used instead of something like “have called”?
Turkish often uses the simple past -di for events completed within a “so far” time frame introduced by Şimdiye kadar. So Şimdiye kadar … ettim corresponds to English “I have … (so far)”, even though Turkish uses simple past.
- You can emphasize ongoing relevance with adverbs: Hâlâ açmadı (He still hasn’t answered), Henüz açmadı (He hasn’t answered yet).
Can I use aradım instead of telefon ettim? Any difference?
Yes. Both mean “I called.”
- aramak takes an accusative object: Onu aradım (I called him/her).
- telefon etmek takes a dative object: Ona telefon ettim (I phoned him/her).
- You’ll also hear telefon açmak for “to call (someone): Bana telefon açtı (He/She called me).
In the second clause, what does açmadı mean? Isn’t açmak “to open”?
Here açmak means “to answer/pick up (the phone).” So açmadı = “(he/she) didn’t answer.” The object telefonu is often omitted when obvious.
- Synonyms: Telefona bakmadı, (Aramalarıma) cevap vermedi.
Why is there no subject pronoun in açmadı?
Turkish drops subject pronouns when the verb ending makes the subject clear. açmadı is 3rd person singular; context supplies o (he/she). You can add o for emphasis: O açmadı.
Why a comma between the clauses instead of a conjunction like ama?
A comma is common in Turkish to juxtapose related clauses. You can insert ama/fakat without changing the meaning:
- Şimdiye kadar üç kez telefon ettim, ama açmadı.
Why üç kez? Can I say üç defa or üç kere?
All three mean “three times.”
- kez: neutral/slightly formal; common with ordinals (ilk kez, son kez).
- defa: very common/neutral.
- kere: more colloquial.
Where can I put the frequency/time phrase in the sentence?
Word order is flexible; common, natural options:
- Şimdiye kadar üç kez telefon ettim, …
- Üç kez telefon ettim şimdiye kadar, … (less tight, but used in speech) Keep Şimdiye kadar near the beginning for a clear “so far” frame.
Is there a difference between açmadı and açmıyor here?
Yes:
- açmadı: He/She didn’t answer (on those attempts) — completed events.
- açmıyor: He/She isn’t answering (now) / doesn’t answer (habitually). You’d use açmıyor if you’re calling right now: Arıyorum, ama açmıyor.
What’s the difference between açmadı and açamadı?
- açmadı = didn’t answer (simple negation).
- açamadı = couldn’t answer (lack of ability/possibility: phone off, no signal, busy, etc.).
Do I need to say telefonu in the second clause?
No. It’s often omitted when obvious. For clarity you can say telefonu açmadı (didn’t pick up the phone). The -u is the definite accusative.
How do I say “for the third time” instead of “three times”?
Use an ordinal: üçüncü kez/defa/kere.
- Example: Üçüncü kez aradım, ama açmadı. (I called for the third time, but he didn’t answer.)
What’s going on morphologically in telefon ettim and açmadı?
- telefon et-tim: light-verb compound. etmek
- past 1sg. After a voiceless consonant, -di surfaces as -ti, and with 1sg it’s -tim → ettim. It remains two words in writing: telefon ettim.
- aç-ma-dı: aç- (open/answer) + negative -ma-
- past -dı (3sg). Vowel harmony gives -ma- and -dı.
Why not use değil for negation with verbs?
Verbs take the negative suffix -ma/-me. değil negates nouns/adjectives/copular sentences.
- Verb: açmadı (not: ✗ aç değil).
- Noun/adjective: Yorgun değilim (I’m not tired).
If the subject were “they,” how would the verb look?
Standard plural agreement: Onlar açmadılar. In speech, you’ll also hear Onlar açmadı; both occur, but -lar/-ler is the textbook form.
Can I replace Şimdiye kadar with something else?
Yes, near-synonyms:
- Bugüne kadar, Bu zamana kadar, Şu ana kadar, Şimdiye dek. All mean “up to now/so far,” with tiny register/style differences.