Learn Hardcore Turkish: Tam zamanlı işe geçmeden önce kısa bir tatil yapmak istiyorum. - I want to take a short vacation before moving to a full-time job.

It means "full-time." Literally: "tam" = full/complete, "zaman" = time, and "-lı" = having/with. As an adjective it modifies nouns: tam zamanlı iş (a full-time job), tam zamanlı çalışma (full-time work). The opposite is "yarı zamanlı" (part-time).

Why is "işe" in the dative (-e) case?

Because the verb "geçmek" (to pass/move/switch) takes the dative for its target: X’e geçmek = to switch to X. Hence "tam zamanlı iş" + -e → "tam zamanlı işe."

What nuance does "geçmek" carry here?

Here it means "to transition/switch (to a new status)." So "tam zamanlı işe geçmek" is "to move into full-time employment," not "to arrive at work." For "to go to work," Turkish uses "işe gitmek."

How does the "before doing" structure work?

Use verb stem + -me/ma (negative converb) + -den/dan + önce: V-meden/-madan önce. It literally looks like "before without doing," but it idiomatically means "before doing." Examples: gitmeden önce (before going), yemeden önce (before eating), geçmeden önce (before switching).

Why not say "geçtikten önce"?

"Before V-ing" is expressed with "-meden/-madan önce." The "-dikten/-dıktan" form is used with "sonra" for "after V-ing." "Geçtikten önce" is considered incorrect/very unnatural.

Do I need "bir" before "işe" (i.e., "tam zamanlı bir işe")?

Both are possible:

tam zamanlı işe = to full-time work (generic concept).
tam zamanlı bir işe = to a (single) full-time job. Your sentence is general, so omitting "bir" is natural; adding it narrows it to one job.

Why "tatil yapmak"? Can’t I just say "tatil"?

"Tatil yapmak" is the standard collocation for "to take/be on vacation." Alternatives: "kısa bir tatil istiyorum" (I want a short vacation) or "kısa bir tatile çıkmak istiyorum" (I want to go on a short vacation). "Tatil almak" isn’t idiomatic; say "izin almak" (to get leave) if you mean securing time off.

Why isn’t "tatil" marked with the accusative (-i)?

Indefinite direct objects in Turkish are unmarked. "Kısa bir tatil yapmak" has an indefinite object, so no -i. If it were definite/specific, you’d mark it: "O kısa tatili yapmak istiyorum" (I want to take that particular vacation).

Is the word order fixed? Can I move the "before..." clause?

It’s flexible:

Tam zamanlı işe geçmeden önce kısa bir tatil yapmak istiyorum. (neutral)
Kısa bir tatil yapmak istiyorum, tam zamanlı işe geçmeden önce. (equally natural; afterthought) Keep "geçmeden" and "önce" together; don’t split them.

Could I say "tam zamanlı çalışmaya başlamadan önce" instead?

Yes. Natural variants include:

tam zamanlı çalışmaya geçmeden önce (transition to full-time work)
tam zamanlı çalışmaya başlamadan önce (before starting full-time work)
tam zamanlıya geçmeden önce (colloquial; implies "iş/çalışma") Choose the one that best fits your nuance.

What’s the difference between "kısa" and "küçük"?

"kısa" = short (length/duration). "küçük" = small (size/age). Vacations are "kısa" or "uzun," not "küçük."

Why "istiyorum" (present continuous) instead of "isterim"?

"İstiyorum" expresses a current, concrete desire ("I want"). "İsterim" (aorist) can sound like a general preference or a polite "I would like," depending on context. Both are correct; "istiyorum" is the default for a present wish.

Can I drop "bir" in "kısa bir tatil"?

Generally no. With a singular, countable noun modified by an adjective, "bir" is expected: "kısa bir tatil." Dropping it ("kısa tatil yapmak") occurs in headlines or telegraphic style and sounds off in normal speech.

How do I choose between "-meden" and "-madan"?

Two-way vowel harmony based on the last vowel of the stem:

Back vowels (a, ı, o, u) → -madan (okumadan, konuşmadan, çıkmadan).
Front vowels (e, i, ö, ü) → -meden (geçmeden, gitmeden, görmeden). Hence "geçmeden" (last vowel e).

Pronunciation tips for tricky letters in this sentence?

ı: back, unrounded vowel (similar to the second vowel in "roses" for some accents).
ş: "sh" in "shoe."
ç: "ch" in "church."
ö (in "önce"): like German ö/French eu.

How would I say "after switching to a full-time job"?

Use "-dikten/-dıktan sonra": "Tam zamanlı işe geçtikten sonra ..." For example, "Tam zamanlı işe geçtikten sonra tatil yapmayı planlıyorum." Before = V-meden önce; After = V-dikten sonra.

Why is it spelled "istiyorum" and not "isteyorum"?

The present continuous suffix is -iyor. With some stems ending in -e/-a, the vowel contracts: "iste- + -iyor → istiyor-," so "istiyorum." Similar contraction: "de- + -iyor → diyor."

Is "işe" ambiguous between "to work (the place)" and "to a job"?

Yes. "İşe gidiyorum" = I’m going to work (the place). With "geçmek," "işe" signals transitioning to a job/status: "tam zamanlı işe geçmek" = move into full-time employment. Context and the verb resolve the ambiguity.