Learn Hardcore Turkish: Yarın akşam restoranda masa ayırtmak istiyorum. - I want to reserve a table at the restaurant for tomorrow evening.

Because with istemek (to want), the action you want is kept in the bare infinitive -mek/-mak. The only conjugated verb here is istiyorum (I want). So: ayırtmak istiyorum = “I want to reserve.”

Why is it restoranda with -da? What does that ending mean?

The suffix -da/-de/-ta/-te is the locative case, meaning “at/in/on.” Restoran ends with a voiced consonant and has a back vowel, so it takes -da: restoran-da = “at the restaurant.” After voiceless consonants (p, ç, t, k, f, h, s, ş) you’d see -ta/-te (e.g., parkta).

Why is it masa and not masayı?

In Turkish, the direct object gets the accusative -(y)ı/-(y)i/-(y)u/-(y)ü only if it’s specific/definite. Masa ayırtmak = “to reserve a table (some table).” Masayı ayırtmak would mean “to reserve the table” (a particular table known to both speakers).

Do I need to say bir masa (“a table”)?

It’s optional. Bare nouns are normally used for nonspecific objects, so masa ayırtmak already means “reserve a table.” Bir masa is fine if you want to stress “one table” or sound a bit more explicit: bir masa ayırtmak.

Is ayırtmak the most natural verb here? What about rezervasyon yaptırmak?

All of these are common and correct:

Masa/yer ayırtmak = reserve a table/spot.
Rezervasyon yapmak/yaptırmak = make a reservation (everyday idiom; yaptırmak is very common). Use whichever you prefer; rezervasyon yaptırmak may be the most widely heard on the phone.

What’s the difference if I add için: Yarın akşam için…?

…için means “for.” Yarın akşam (için) restoranda masa ayırtmak istiyorum are both fine; için just makes the time frame explicit: “I want to reserve a table for tomorrow evening.” Without it, the meaning is still clear from context.

Can I change the word order?

Yes, Turkish is flexible, but the verb usually stays last. Neutral order is often Time–Place–Object–Verb: Yarın akşam restoranda masa ayırtmak istiyorum. You can front what you want to emphasize: Restoranda yarın akşam…, Masa ayırtmak…, etc., but keep …istiyorum at the end.

Why not yarın akşamda?

Time expressions like yarın, akşam, yarın akşam are typically used without a case ending. You’d add case or a postposition only when needed, e.g., yarın akşam için (“for tomorrow evening”), or a specific clock time with locative: saat yedide (“at seven”).

Why use istiyorum (present continuous) for “I want”? Could I say isterim?

In Turkish, istiyorum is the normal way to state a current desire/intention. İsterim can sound more hypothetical or polite/formal (“I would like”), and isterdim is even more polite/softened (“I would like to”). In everyday speech when calling a restaurant, …istiyorum is perfectly natural.

Could I use the future tense instead, like ayırtacağım?

Yes, Yarın akşam için restoranda masa ayırtacağım means “I will reserve…”—a decision/plan. With …ayırtmak istiyorum, you’re stating a desire or making a request now. Both are correct; the nuance changes.

How do I pronounce ayırtmak?

Roughly “ah-YUHRT-mahk.” The ı is the Turkish dotless i (like a relaxed “uh”), and the stress is typically on the last syllable: a-yırt-MAK. Don’t confuse ı with i.

Is there a difference between ayırtmak, ayırmak, ayırt etmek, and ayrılmak?

ayırtmak: to reserve; also “to distinguish” in some contexts.
ayırmak: to separate, set aside.
ayırt etmek: to distinguish (lit. “set apart”), not used for booking tables.
ayrılmak: to leave, to split up (intransitive). For reservations, use ayırtmak or the rezervasyon expressions.

Why is it spelled restoran, not restorant?

Standard modern spelling is restoran. You may hear restorant colloquially, but restoran is the correct form in writing.

Can I say ayırtmayı istiyorum instead of ayırtmak istiyorum?

It’s grammatical, but -meyi/-mayı after istemek is less common in everyday speech and can sound heavier or more formal. The natural choice is the bare infinitive: ayırtmak istiyorum.

How would I make this into a polite phone request?

You can say: Merhaba, yarın akşam için iki kişilik bir masa ayırtmak istiyorum. Or: Merhaba, yarın akşam için rezervasyon yaptırmak istiyorum. Adding mümkün mü? or rica ederim/ediyorum softens it further.