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Questions & Answers about Saçımı dün kuaförde kestirdim; yeter ki düzenli kalsın, kısalığı sorun değil.
Why is it "kestirdim" and not "kestim"? What nuance does that add?
- kestirdim uses the causative: you had someone else cut it (the hairdresser).
- kestim means you cut it yourself.
- Morphology: kes (cut) + -tir (causative “have/make”) + -di (past) + -m (1sg) → kestirdim.
Can I say "Saçımı dün kuaförde kestim"? What would that imply?
It’s grammatical but odd in real life. Saçımı kestim means “I cut my hair (myself).” Saying you did that “at the hairdresser’s” is unusual unless you literally did it yourself there.
What does "yeter ki" mean, and why is "kalsın" in that form?
- yeter ki = “as long as / provided that / just so that.” It introduces a wish-like condition.
- kalsın is the 3rd person optative/subjunctive: “let it stay.” Root kal-
- -sın.
What form is "kalsın"? Could it be "kalsınlar"?
- kalsın = kal (stay) + -sın (3sg optative), “let it stay.”
- Hair (saç) is treated as a mass singular, so singular is normal. kalsınlar would fit a plural subject like “the strands,” which is not how Turkish usually talks about hair.
Why is "Saçımı" in the accusative (-ı)? When do we mark objects?
- Definite direct objects of transitive verbs take accusative -(y)I.
- It’s your specific hair and kes(tir)mek is transitive → saçım + ı = saçımı.
- Indefinite/generic objects often stay bare: “Saç kestirmek istiyorum.”
Why singular "saçımı" and not "saçlarımı"? Are both okay?
Both occur, but saçımı (collective singular) is the neutral, most common choice. saçlarımı is possible and can sound more colloquial or emphasize “the strands.”
What exactly does "kuaförde" express? Could I use "kuaföre" instead?
- kuaförde = “at the hairdresser’s” (locative -DA).
- kuaföre = “to the hairdresser” (dative -A), or it can mark the causer’s agent in a causative: “Kuaföre saçımı kestirdim” = “I had the hairdresser cut my hair.” Your sentence focuses on location, so it uses the locative.
Is "kuaför" gendered? When would I say "berber"?
- kuaför is a hairdresser/stylist; today it’s effectively gender‑neutral, often implying a salon.
- berber typically means a traditional men’s barber. Many speakers still say “berber” for a barbershop.
How does vowel harmony show up in "kestirdim," "kuaförde," "kalsın"?
- kestir-di-m: last stem vowel is front (i) → -di.
- kuaför-de: last vowel is front (ö) → -de; final r is voiced, so -de not -te.
- kal-sın: the -sIn set uses 2‑way harmony; “a” is back → -sın.
Can I change the word order? For example, "Dün kuaförde saçımı kestirdim"?
Yes. Common options:
- “Dün kuaförde saçımı kestirdim.”
- “Saçımı dün kuaförde kestirdim.” (original) The verb typically stays at/near the end; moving time/place around changes emphasis, not meaning.
Why a semicolon before "yeter ki"? Could I use a comma or a period?
The semicolon cleanly separates related independent clauses. Alternatives are fine:
- “… kestirdim. Yeter ki düzenli kalsın, kısalığı sorun değil.”
- “… kestirdim; yeter ki düzenli kalsın; kısalığı sorun değil.” A comma is common informally, but the semicolon avoids a run-on feel.
What exactly is "kısalığı"? Why not just "kısalık"?
- kısalığı = kısa (short) + -lık (noun maker) → kısalık “shortness” + 3sg possessive -(s)ı → “its shortness.”
- Final -k softens to -ğ- before a vowel: kısalık → kısalığı.
- kısalık sorun değil = “shortness/short hair isn’t a problem” in general; kısalığı points to the specific thing’s shortness (here, the hair).
But it’s my hair—why isn’t it "saçımın kısalığı"?
You can say saçımın kısalığı sorun değil to be explicit. In the original, the possessor is understood from context: “its shortness” = the hair’s shortness (3rd‑person possessor), which is natural and concise.
Could I say "Kısa olması sorun değil" instead of "kısalığı sorun değil"?
Yes. kısa olması = “its being short” (kısa ol- + -mA nominalizer + 3sg poss -sı). Both versions are idiomatic; the clause version is very common in speech.
What does "sorun değil" do grammatically? Why no "-dır"?
It’s a nominal predicate with the negative copula değil: “is not a problem.” Adding -dır (sorun değildir) is formal or emphatic; everyday Turkish omits it.
Does "kestirmek" have other meanings?
Yes:
- “to estimate/guess” (Fiyatı kestiremedim = I couldn’t estimate the price.)
- “to doze/nap” (Biraz kestirdim = I took a short nap.) Context decides the meaning.
Is "düzenli" the best word here? How does it differ from "düzgün"?
- düzenli: orderly, tidy, well-kept; also “regular (occurring regularly).”
- düzgün: neat, proper, well-formed. Both fit hair; düzenli kalsın stresses being kept tidy; düzgün kalsın stresses looking neat.
Is there any issue with writing "kuaför'de"?
Yes. Apostrophes precede suffixes only for proper names (İstanbul’da). kuaför is a common noun, so write kuaförde (no apostrophe).
Can I explicitly mention who did the cutting?
Yes:
- Dative-marked agent: Kuaföre saçımı kestirdim. (“I had the hairdresser cut my hair.”)
- With “tarafından” (more formal, often used in passives): Saçım kuaför tarafından kesildi. Your original just leaves the agent implicit and focuses on the event/place.
Should it be "kestirttim" with a double t?
No. kestirdim already means “I had it cut.” kestirttim is a double causative: “I made someone have it cut (by someone else),” which is rare and not intended here.
Where is the subject “I”? Why no "ben"?
The verb ending -m in kestirdim marks 1st‑person singular, so the pronoun is unnecessary. Use Ben only for emphasis: “Ben saçımı… kestirdim.”
What is the "ki" in "yeter ki"? Is it the same "ki" as elsewhere?
Yes. It’s the conjunction ki inside the fixed expression yeter ki, which links “yeter” (enough) to a clause and gives the sense “provided that/so long as.” You can’t drop it.
Why is it spelled "değil" and not "deyil"?
Standard spelling is değil. The letter ğ lengthens/softens the preceding vowel; many people pronounce it close to “deyil,” but writing “deyil” is incorrect.