Learn Hardcore Turkish: Ben ona el sallıyorum.

It’s optional. The verb ending in sallıyorum (-um = “I”) already shows the subject. Using Ben adds emphasis or contrast, like “I’m the one who’s waving to him/her.”

What exactly does ona mean here?

Ona is the dative form of o (“he/she/it/that”), meaning “to him/her/it.” Turkish pronouns are gender‑neutral, so ona can mean any of those depending on context.

Why is it ona and not onu?

Because the verb phrase el sallamak (“to wave [a hand]”) takes a dative target: you wave “to” someone.

ona = to him/her/it (dative) → correct with el sallamak
onu = him/her/it (accusative, direct object) → would mean “I am shaking him/her/it” with sallamak, not waving.

Why do we need el? Can’t I just say sallıyorum?

On its own, sallamak primarily means “to shake/swing.” To specifically mean “to wave,” Turkish uses the light‑verb compound el sallamak (“to wave [the hand]”).

Sallıyorum by itself implies “I’m shaking (something)” and normally needs a direct object (e.g., Onu sallıyorum = “I’m shaking it”).
El sallıyorum = “I’m waving (my hand).”

Why isn’t el in the accusative (eli/eli̇mi)? Why not elimi?

In the set phrase el sallamak, el functions like a fixed, indefinite object and typically stays unmarked (no accusative).

Ona el sallıyorum = I’m waving at him/her (natural).
Elimi sallıyorum = I’m (just) shaking my hand (literal movement, not necessarily greeting).
Adding a possessive/accusative (e.g., elimi) changes or over‑specifies the meaning and is usually not how people express waving to someone.

How is sallıyorum formed?

Morphology:

Stem: salla- (“shake”)
Present continuous: -(I)yor
1st person singular: -um
Rule: If the stem ends in a vowel, that vowel drops before -yor. Also, the high vowel in -(I)yor follows vowel harmony.
So: salla- → drop final -a → sall- + ıyor + um → sallıyorum.

How do I pronounce sallıyorum (what’s that dotless ı)?

ı is a close back unrounded vowel (like the vowel in English “roses” second syllable, but tighter).
sallıyorum syllables: sal-lı-yor-um. The double ll is a long [lː].
Typical stress falls on the -yor syllable: sal-lı-YOR-um.
Approximate IPA: [salːɯˈjoɾum].

Can I change the word order?

Yes, Turkish word order is flexible, but the default is subject–indirect object–[light object]–verb. Keep el close to sallıyorum because el sallamak is a tight unit.

Common: (Ben) ona el sallıyorum.
Also fine: Ona el sallıyorum.
For emphasis on the target: El sallıyorum ona.
Avoid splitting the compound awkwardly: El ona sallıyorum sounds odd.

How do I negate it?

Add the negative -ma/-me before -yor:

Ona el sallamıyorum. = I’m not waving at him/her.
Morphology: salla-m-ıyor-um.

How do I make it a yes/no question?

Use the question particle mi/mi̇/mu/mü (it harmonizes) as a separate word:

Ona el sallıyor muyum? = Am I waving at him/her?
Here it’s mu because the preceding vowel is back and rounded.

How do I say I’m waving at you (singular/polite/plural) or them?

To you (singular, informal): Sana el sallıyorum.
To you (polite or plural): Size el sallıyorum.
To them: Onlara el sallıyorum.

What’s the difference between the present continuous and the simple present with this verb?

Şu an ona el sallıyorum. = I’m waving at him/her right now (ongoing action).
Ona el sallarım. = I (generally/usually) wave at him/her (habitual).

How do I say it in past or future?

Simple past: Ona el salladım. = I waved at him/her.
Past continuous: Ona el sallıyordum. = I was waving at him/her.
Future: Ona el sallayacağım. = I will wave at him/her.
Negative past continuous: Ona el sallamıyordum.

Can I replace ona with a name or noun?

Yes; use the dative -a/-e (with vowel harmony). Proper nouns take an apostrophe:

Ali’ye el sallıyorum.
Öğretmene el sallıyorum.
Komşuya el sallıyorum.

Can ona be dropped?

Only if the target is already clear from context. El sallıyorum just means “I’m waving,” without saying to whom.

Is there a more formal way to say I’m greeting by waving?

You can say:

Ona selam veriyorum. = I’m greeting him/her.
If you want to keep the waving nuance: Ona el sallayarak selam veriyorum. = I’m greeting him/her by waving.

How do I say I’m waving back?

Ben de ona el sallıyorum. = I’m waving to him/her too / I’m waving back.
Or more explicit: Ona el sallayarak karşılık veriyorum. = I’m responding by waving.

What’s the difference between el sallamak and kol sallamak?

El sallamak = to wave (with the hand), often as a greeting or to get attention.
Kol sallamak = to swing/wave one’s arm (can sound more like arm-swinging motion, not necessarily a greeting).

Any quick errors to avoid with this sentence?

Don’t say onu el sallıyorum (ungrammatical).
Don’t drop el if you mean “wave” (otherwise sallamak = “to shake”).
Watch the dotless ı in sallıyorum and the double l.
Keep el close to sallıyorum.