Learn Hardcore Turkish: Kulaklığı takar takmaz müzik dinlerim. - As soon as I put on the headphones, I listen to music.

verb stem + aorist 3rd singular affirmative (-r/-ir/-ür/-ar) + same stem + aorist 3rd singular negative (-maz/-mez). Examples: gider gitmez, gelir gelmez, biter bitmez, başlar başlamaz. The pattern itself doesn’t show person or tense; the main clause does (here, dinlerim = “I [habitually] listen”).

Why is it takar takmaz, not something like takarım takmaz?

Because the pattern is fixed: both parts are 3rd person singular aorist (affirmative + negative). You never conjugate them for person. Person/tense come from the main verb (here, dinlerim).

How do I pick -mez vs -maz in this pattern?

By vowel harmony:

Front vowels (e, i, ö, ü) → -mez: gelir gelmez, gider gitmez.
Back vowels (a, ı, o, u) → -maz: yapar yapmaz, başlar başlamaz. Note a few aorist stems are irregular (e.g., demek → der demez, yemek → yer yemez), but the pattern stays the same.

How is takar takmaz different from takınca?

takar takmaz = “as soon as,” stressing immediacy (event Y follows event X right away).
takınca = “when/whenever,” a general time relation without the “immediately” nuance. So Kulaklığı takınca müzik dinlerim is a general habit; Kulaklığı takar takmaz… emphasizes “right away.”

Why is it kulaklığı (with -ı) and not just kulaklık?

Because kulaklığı is the definite direct object (accusative) of takmak (a transitive verb). It points to a specific/known pair of headphones. If you mean an indefinite object, use bare or with a numeral:

Indefinite: kulaklık or bir kulaklık
Definite/specific: kulaklığı Also note consonant softening: kulaklık + ı → kulaklığı (k → ğ between vowels).

Could kulaklığı mean “his/her headphones”?

That form can be ambiguous in other contexts, but here it’s accusative (definite object). For a possessed object as the object of the verb, you’d normally see:

onun kulaklığını = “his/her headphones” (possessive + accusative). As a subject/predicate (not object), kulaklığı can mean “his/her headphones” (e.g., Kulaklığı bozuk = “His/Her headphones are broken.”).

Why doesn’t müzik take the accusative (-i)? Shouldn’t “listen to” require something?

In Turkish, dinlemek takes a direct object. Indefinite objects are unmarked: müzik dinlemek. Use the accusative when the object is definite/specific: müziği dinlemek (“to listen to the music [we have in mind]”).

What nuance does dinlerim have compared to dinliyorum?

dinlerim (aorist) = habit/tendency (“I (tend to) listen”). It’s the natural choice with a general statement like this.
dinliyorum (present continuous) = happening right now or in a current timeframe; with takar takmaz it’s uncommon unless narrating a live, step-by-step sequence.

If I change the time (past/future), does takar takmaz change?

No. The …-r …-maz part stays the same; you change the main verb:

Past: Kulaklığı takar takmaz müzik dinledim.
Future: Kulaklığı takar takmaz müzik dinleyeceğim.
Habitual plural: Kulaklığı takar takmaz müzik dinleriz.

Can the subjects of the two parts be different? How do I show that?

Yes. The …-r …-maz clause doesn’t mark its subject; you indicate it with an explicit noun/pronoun and context:

O, ben kulaklığı takar takmaz şarkıyı açtı. = “He/She started the song as soon as I put on the headphones.” If both subjects are the same, you can omit the pronoun (as in the original).

Can I move kulaklığı takar takmaz to the end? Do I need a comma?

Word order is flexible:

Kulaklığı takar takmaz müzik dinlerim. (most common)
Müzik dinlerim, kulaklığı takar takmaz. A comma is optional; use it if it helps readability, especially when the time clause comes second.

Can I add hemen for extra emphasis on “immediately”?

Yes: Kulaklığı takar takmaz hemen müzik dinlerim. You can also use anında/derhal for stylistic variety.

Is takmak the correct verb with kulaklık? Why not giymek?

Yes. takmak is used for accessories/devices (headphones, glasses, a watch, a ring). giymek is for clothing (a shirt, pants, a coat). So kulaklığı takmak is the natural collocation.