Learn Hardcore Turkish: Bu ceket pantolonla uyumlu.

Turkish normally drops the present-tense “to be” in third person. So Bu ceket pantolonla uyumlu literally reads “This jacket trousers-with compatible,” which means “This jacket is compatible with the trousers.” For a more formal or emphatic tone, you can add the copular suffix: Bu ceket pantolonla uyumludur.

What does the -la at the end of pantolonla mean?

It’s the bound form of ile (“with”). You can attach it to a noun:

after a consonant: noun + -la / -le → pantolon + la = pantolonla
after a vowel: noun + -yla / -yle (buffer -y-) → araba + yla = arabayla

Vowel harmony chooses -la vs -le. The last vowel in pantolon is back (o), so you use -la.

Can I write pantolon ile instead of pantolonla?

Yes. Pantolonla (suffix) and pantolon ile (separate word) are both correct:

pantolonla is more common in everyday speech.
pantolon ile can feel a bit more formal or emphatic when you stress ile. Note: standalone ile doesn’t change with vowel harmony; the suffix form does.

Why is pantolon singular even though English uses “pants” (plural)?

In Turkish, pantolon is a singular garment (a pair of trousers). So English “pants” usually corresponds to singular pantolon. Use pantolonlar only if you really mean multiple pairs: Bu ceket pantolonlarla uyumlu (“This jacket matches (with) trousers [plural/many pairs]”).

Is uyumlu an adjective or a verb? Why not use uymak (e.g., uyuyor/uyar)?

Uyumlu is an adjective meaning “harmonious/compatible” (from uyum “harmony” + -lu “having/with”). You can also use the verb uymak (“to match/suit”) with the dative:

Adjective: Bu ceket pantolonla uyumlu.
Verb (progressive): Bu ceket pantolona uyuyor.
Verb (aorist/general): Bu ceket pantolona uyar. All are natural; the adjective is compact and common for describing how items go together.

Why is it pantolona with uymak but pantolonla with uyumlu?

Different words govern different cases:

uymak takes the dative (-(y)e/a): X, Y’e/Y’a uyar/uyuyor.
uyumlu typically pairs with comitative ile/-la/-le: X, Y ile uyumlu. So you get pantolona uyar/uyuyor vs pantolonla uyumlu.

What’s the nuance difference between uyumlu and uygun?

uyumlu = “harmonious/matching/coordinate” (color, style, design).
- Bu ceket pantolonla uyumlu.
uygun = “suitable/appropriate/fit for” (requirements, purpose, rules).
- Bu ceket pantolona uygun. You’ll hear both, but uyumlu emphasizes “they go well together,” while uygun stresses appropriateness.

How do I ask a yes/no question with this sentence?

Use the question particle mı/mi/mu/mü after the predicate, obeying vowel harmony:

Bu ceket pantolonla uyumlu mu? If you negate, the particle follows değil: Bu ceket pantolonla uyumlu değil mi?

How do I negate it?

For adjectival predicates, use değil:

Bu ceket pantolonla uyumlu değil. Formal/emphatic: … uyumlu değildir. With the verb uymak, you’d use verbal negation: Bu ceket pantolona uymuyor.

Can I change the word order?

Yes, Turkish allows flexible order for emphasis, but keep the predicate (uyumlu) at the end for a neutral feel.

Neutral: Bu ceket pantolonla uyumlu.
Emphasizing the pairing: Pantolonla bu ceket uyumlu. To be specific about which trousers, add a demonstrative: Bu ceket bu pantolonla uyumlu.

How can I make it clear I mean “this pair of trousers”?

Add a demonstrative before the noun:

Bu ceket bu pantolonla uyumlu. (this jacket + this pair of trousers)
Bu ceket şu/o pantolonla uyumlu. (that pair over there/that pair) For possession: Bu ceket onun pantolonuyl(a) uyumlu. (with his/her trousers)

What does the optional -dır/-dir add in uyumludur?

The copular suffix -dır/-dir/-dur/-dür adds formality, emphasis, or a sense of general truth:

Bu ceket pantolonla uyumludur. It’s common in written or formal speech. In everyday talk, it’s usually omitted.

Does -la always mean “with” in the sense of “together,” or can it mean “by means of”?

Both, depending on context:

Comitative (“together with”): Bu ceket pantolonla uyumlu.
Instrumental (“by means of”): Kalemle yazıyorum. (“I’m writing with a pen.”) The predicate determines the reading.

How can I intensify it (“really matches well”)?

Add an adverb before uyumlu:

çok/gayet/oldukça/son derece: Bu ceket pantolonla çok uyumlu. Colloquial alternatives:
Bu ceket pantolonla iyi gider. (neutral)
Bu ceket pantolonla harika gidiyor. (strong praise)

Any pronunciation tips for the words here?

c in ceket sounds like English “j”: “je-ket.”
u is like “oo” in “food,” short and pure: Bu, uyumlu → “boo,” “oo-yoom-loo.”
pantolonla: say it as one word; the -la is attached and unstressed.
In arabayla (another example), the y is a light glide: “a-ra-ba-y-la.”

If the subject is plural, do I make the predicate plural too?

Predicate adjectives don’t have to agree in number:

Bu ceketler pantolonla uyumlu. (standard) You can add plural or copula for emphasis/formality:
Bu ceketler pantolonla uyumlular. (colloquial emphasis)
Bu ceketler pantolonla uyumludur. (formal)

Is there any article like “a/the” missing in Turkish here?

Turkish has no articles like English “a/the.” Specificity comes from context or demonstratives:

Bu ceket = “this jacket.”
Pantolonla could be generic or contextually specific; to be explicit, say bu pantolonla / o pantolonla.