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Questions & Answers about Terzi ceketi daraltıyor.
What does the ending in daraltıyor mean?
It’s the present continuous/progressive marker in Turkish: verb stem + -(I)yor. Here, daralt- (to make narrower) + -ıyor = daraltıyor, meaning “is taking in/making narrower.” It’s 3rd person singular.
Why is it ceketi and not just ceket?
Because the direct object is definite/specific. Turkish marks definite direct objects with the accusative -(y)I:
- Terzi ceket daraltıyor = The tailor is taking in a jacket / jackets (non-specific).
- Terzi ceketi daraltıyor = The tailor is taking in the jacket (specific).
Could ceketi mean “his/her jacket” here?
Not in this sentence. As a possessed noun, ceketi means “his/her jacket” only in the nominative. As a definite object, “his/her jacket” would be ceketini (possessive + accusative). So:
- Terzi ceketini daraltıyor = The tailor is taking in his/her jacket.
Why does the object come before the verb?
Turkish is typically SOV (Subject–Object–Verb). So Terzi (S) ceketi (O) daraltıyor (V) is the neutral order. Word order can change for emphasis:
- Ceketi terzi daraltıyor (emphasizes that it’s the tailor who’s doing it).
- Terzi ceketi daraltıyor (neutral).
Where is “the”? Why no article?
Turkish has no articles like “the/a.” Definiteness is shown by case and context. Here, the accusative on ceketi signals “the jacket.” If you want “a,” you can add bir: Terzi bir ceket daraltıyor.
How do I make it a question or a negative?
- Yes–no question: add the particle after the predicate, with harmony: Terzi ceketi daraltıyor mu?
- Negative: insert -ma/-me before -(I)yor → Terzi ceketi daraltmıyor (is not taking in).
Why is it daraltıyor with dotless ı and not daraltiyor?
Vowel harmony. The progressive is -(I)yor, where I = ı/i/u/ü depending on the last vowel of the stem. The last vowel in daralt- is a (back, unrounded), so you use ı: daralt-ı-yor → daraltıyor.
How do I pronounce the words?
- Terzi: “tehr-ZEE” (c = j in “jam”? No—this word has z).
- Ceketi: “jeh-KEH-tee” (Turkish c = English j).
- Daraltıyor: “da-rahl-TUH-yor.” Stress in the progressive typically falls on the syllable before -yor: da-ral-TI-yor. Note Turkish dotted i (i) vs dotless ı (uh-like).
Why not cekedi (t→d)? Don’t Turkish words soften?
Consonant softening (p/ç/t/k → b/c/d/ğ) happens in many words when a vowel-initial suffix is added (e.g., kitap → kitabı, ağaç → ağacı, kanat → kanadı). But not all words soften. Ceket is one that doesn’t: it stays ceketi, not “cekedi.”
What’s the difference between daraltıyor and daralıyor?
- daraltıyor (transitive): “is making (something) narrower” → needs an object. Example: Terzi ceketi daraltıyor.
- daralıyor (intransitive): “is becoming narrower” (by itself). Example: Ceket daralıyor = “The jacket is getting tighter.”
Which person/number is the verb, and how do I change it?
Daraltıyor is 3rd person singular. Other forms:
- Ben: daraltıyorum
- Sen: daraltıyorsun
- O: daraltıyor
- Biz: daraltıyoruz
- Siz: daraltıyorsunuz
- Onlar: daraltıyorlar
Can I drop the subject?
Yes, if context makes it clear. Ceketi daraltıyor = “(He/She) is taking in the jacket.” Turkish often drops pronouns because the verb already shows person/number.
How would I talk about habitual actions instead?
Use the aorist/simple present: daraltır. For example:
- Terziler ceket daraltır = Tailors alter jackets (in general).
- Terzi ceketi daraltır = The tailor (habitually) takes in the jacket.
How do I say “The tailor is taking in the jackets” or “their jackets”?
- “the jackets” (definite plural object): Terzi ceketleri daraltıyor.
- “their jackets” (possessed, definite): Terzi onların ceketlerini daraltıyor. (Without onların, ceketleri is ambiguous: “their jackets” or “the jackets.”)
What exactly does daraltmak mean for clothes? Any related verbs?
Daraltmak means “to make narrower/take in” (reduce width). Related tailoring verbs:
- genişletmek = to make wider/let out
- kısaltmak = to shorten
- uzatmak = to lengthen