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Questions & Answers about Ben ona el sallıyorum.
Do I need to say Ben, or is it optional?
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.