Learn Hardcore Turkish: Mola versek de hedefimizi unutmuyoruz. - Even if we take a break, we don’t forget our goal.

It’s a concessive structure meaning roughly even if / even though. Form: verb stem + -se/-sa (conditional) + separate de/da. So ver-sek de = even if we take/give (a break).

Why is de written separately? Is it the same as the locative suffix -de/-da?

No. Here de/da is a clitic/conjunction and is written as a separate word. It never turns into -te/-ta. The locative case -de/-da is a suffix attached to the noun (e.g., evde), and after voiceless consonants it surfaces as -te/-ta (e.g., kitapta). The concessive de/da doesn’t do that.

Why is it de and not da?

The clitic de/da follows vowel harmony with the last vowel of the preceding word: front vowels (e, i, ö, ü) take de; back vowels (a, ı, o, u) take da. The last vowel in versek is e, so it’s de.

What’s the difference between versek and verirsek?

versek: conditional/optative, more hypothetical or suggested (even if we were to take a break).
verirsek: conditional with the aorist, more factual/realistic or habitual (even if we take a break [as a real possibility or generally]). Both can be used with …-se/sa de; the nuance is subtle.

Why does Turkish say mola vermek when English says “take a break”?

It’s a common light-verb construction: mola vermek (give a break) = to take a break. Synonyms: ara vermek. Alternatives like mola almak or mola yapmak are uncommon or sound off.

What exactly is marked in hedefimizi?

It’s hedef + -imiz + -i:

hedef = goal/target
-imiz = our (1st person plural possessive)
-i = accusative (definite direct object) Because it’s a specific, possessed object (our goal), it must take the accusative when it’s the object.

Why use unutmuyoruz instead of unutmayız?

unutmuyoruz (present continuous, negative): not forgetting now/through this period; also commonly used for ongoing states with a present feel.
unutmayız (aorist, negative): we don’t forget as a rule/habit (more generic, timeless). Choose based on whether you want a “currently/this time” vibe (-yor) or a general rule (aorist).

Does the sentence talk about the present or a general truth?

With unutmuyoruz (-yor), it leans toward a present/ongoing situation (during this process we’re not forgetting). If you want a general statement, unutmayız would highlight habitual truth.

Where is the subject we?

It’s encoded in the verb endings:

ver-sek = if we give/take (conditional + 1st plural -k)
unut-mu-yor-uz = we are not forgetting (negative + present continuous + 1st plural -uz) Turkish normally drops the explicit pronoun biz unless emphasizing.

Can I replace …-se de with …-se bile?

Yes. …-se bile is also concessive, often a bit stronger/emphatic (even if). Don’t use both together; choose …-se de or …-se bile.

Could de here mean “also/too”?

Not in this position. The “also” clitic de/da would attach to the word it modifies and can move (e.g., Mola da versek… = even if we also take a break). After versek, de is functioning as the concessive conjunction (even if).

Is a comma needed after the concessive clause?

It’s common and stylistically clean to write: Mola versek de, hedefimizi unutmuyoruz. Omitting the comma isn’t wrong in informal writing, but a comma is standard when the subordinate clause comes first.

What if I mean “even though we took a break” (past fact)?

Use a past-oriented concessive, for example:

Mola vermiş olsak da, hedefimizi unutmadık.
Mola verdiğimiz halde/rağmen, hedefimizi unutmadık. These convey a factual past concession.

Can I change the word order?

Yes, for emphasis:

Hedefimizi, mola versek de, unutmuyoruz. (focus on the object)
Mola versek de hedefimizi unutmuyoruz. (neutral)
Mola versek de unutmuyoruz hedefimizi. (post-verbal object = stronger focus on what isn’t forgotten) Turkish places new or emphasized info toward the end.

What’s the internal makeup of unutmuyoruz?

unut (forget) + -ma/-me (negation, harmonized here as -mu-) + -yor (present continuous) + -uz (1st person plural) So: unut-mu-yor-uz = we are not forgetting.