Learn Hardcore Turkish: Ben de çok susadım; termos dolu mu? - I’m very thirsty too; is the thermos full?

It’s written as a separate word: Ben de (not “Bende”).
It follows vowel harmony for front/back only: use de after front vowels (e, i, ö, ü) and da after back vowels (a, ı, o, u). Examples: Ben de, O da.
Unlike the locative suffix, this clitic is never written as -te/-ta (always de/da).
No apostrophe even after proper names: Ali de geldi is correct (but see the next Q for the suffix case).

What’s the difference between Ben de and Bende?

Ben de = “I too / me as well.” It’s the additive clitic.
- Example: Ben de çok susadım. “I’m very thirsty, too.”
Bende = “on me / with me / in my possession,” using the locative suffix -de attached to ben.
- Example: Bende su var. “I have water (on me).”
Note the apostrophe with proper nouns for the locative suffix, but not for the clitic:
- Locative: Ankara’da (in Ankara)
- Additive: Ankara da (Ankara too)

Why is the past tense used in susadım when the meaning is “I’m thirsty (now)”?

Turkish often uses the simple past to express a current state that results from a recent change. Susadım literally means “I became thirsty,” but idiomatically means “I’m (now) thirsty.” The same pattern appears with:

Acıktım (I became hungry → I’m hungry)
Üşüdüm (I got cold → I’m cold) Alternatives:
Susamışım adds an “apparently/it seems” nuance, often when you’ve just realized it: “Oh, looks like I’m thirsty.”
Susuyorum means “I’m (in the process of) getting thirsty,” not the state “I’m thirsty.”

How is susadım formed?

From the verb susamak “to get thirsty”:

stem: susa-
simple past: -dı-/-di-/-du-/-dü- (here -dı- after back vowels)
1st person singular: -m Result: susa-dı-m → susadım.

What does çok do in Ben de çok susadım, and where does it go?

Çok is an intensifier meaning “very/so/quite.” It typically precedes the verb/adjective it modifies:

Natural: Ben de çok susadım. “I’m very thirsty, too.”
Unnatural: “Ben de susadım çok.” You can also say simply Ben de susadım (without çok) for “I’m thirsty too.”

Can I drop the pronoun Ben?

Yes, if context already makes “I” clear:

Çok susadım. “I’m very thirsty.” To say “me too,” you generally keep the pronoun with the clitic:
Ben de (çok) susadım. You can also put the additive at the end as an afterthought:
Çok susadım, ben de. (colloquial, adds a mild afterthought feel)

How does the question particle mi/mı/mu/mü work in termos dolu mu?

The yes–no question particle is mi/mı/mu/mü, chosen by vowel harmony to match the preceding word’s last vowel. Dolu ends in u, so use mu → dolu mu.
It’s written separately: dolu mu (not “dolumu”).
It comes right after the focused element, typically the predicate in a neutral yes–no question: Termos dolu mu? “Is the thermos full?”

Why is there no word for “is” in Termos dolu mu?

Turkish has a “zero copula” in the present for 3rd person. Adjectives and nouns can serve directly as predicates:

Termos dolu. “The thermos is full.”
Add the question particle for a yes–no question: Termos dolu mu? You can add the formal/generalizing suffix -dır/-dir in some registers: Termos doludur (stated fact), question: Termos dolu mudur?

What’s the difference between Termos dolu mu? and Termos mu dolu?

Termos dolu mu? neutral yes–no: “Is the thermos full?”
Termos mu dolu? focuses the subject: “Is it the thermos that’s full?” (as opposed to something else). The question particle attaches to the focused word.

How do I answer the question naturally?

Affirmative: Evet, dolu. or simply Dolu.
Negative: Hayır, boş. or Hayır, dolu değil. Turkish often drops redundant words if context is clear.

Could I just ask Dolu mu? without saying termos?

Yes, if the context already makes the subject clear (for example, you’re both looking at the thermos). Ellipsis is common in Turkish.

Is the semicolon in Ben de çok susadım; termos dolu mu? necessary?

It’s optional. A period works just as well: Ben de çok susadım. Termos dolu mu? The semicolon simply links two closely related independent clauses. A comma would be incorrect here because both parts can stand alone.

How do I say “Isn’t the thermos full?” in Turkish?

Use a değil mi question:

Termos dolu değil mi? This often implies you expect it to be full or you’re seeking confirmation.

Why isn’t there any article like “the” or “a” before termos?

Turkish has no articles. Definiteness/specificity comes from context, word order, and case-marking. In subject position, termos can correspond to English “the thermos” when a specific one is understood from context.

What’s the difference between -de/-da the suffix and de/da the additive?

Locative suffix -de/-da (place/at/in/on): attaches to the noun and may trigger consonant alternation, and after proper nouns takes an apostrophe.
- Ankara’da, evde.
Additive clitic de/da (too/also): written separately, never becomes -te/-ta, and never takes an apostrophe.
- Ben de, O da, Ankara da (Ankara too).

Are there related verbs I should know that work like susadım?

Yes—verbs that describe a change of state commonly use simple past for a present state:

Acıktım. “I’m hungry.”
Üşüdüm. “I’m cold.”
Sıkıldım. “I’m bored.” They all literally mean “I became X,” and idiomatically convey the current state.