Learn Hardcore Turkish: Masada iki tane bardak var. - There are two glasses on the table.

-DA is the locative suffix meaning in/on/at.
Choose the vowel by the last vowel of the noun:
- Back vowels (a, ı, o, u) → -da: masa-da
- Front vowels (e, i, ö, ü) → -de: ev-de
If the noun ends in an unvoiced consonant (p, ç, t, k, f, h, s, ş), the d devoices to t:
- park-ta, renk-te, öğretmen-de (ends with voiced n, so stays -de)

Does Masada mean “on” or “at the table”? When should I use masanın üstünde/üzerinde?

Masada can mean either “on the table” or “at the table,” depending on context.
- With inanimate objects like glasses, it’s naturally understood as “on (top of) the table.”
- With people, it can mean “at the table” (e.g., Masadayız = We are at the table).
To be explicit about “on top of,” use masanın üstünde/üzerinde. Üzerinde sounds a bit more formal.
Colloquial speech sometimes says masa üstünde, but standard/safer is masanın üstünde.

Why is bardak singular even though there are two?

In Turkish, nouns stay singular after numbers and most quantifiers:
- iki bardak, üç öğrenci, birkaç kitap
Use the plural when no exact number is given or you mean “some” in general:
- Bardaklar var = There are (some) glasses.
Don’t say iki bardaklar.

Do I need tane after iki? What does it add?

tane is an optional classifier meaning “units/pieces.”
iki bardak and iki tane bardak are both correct. tane is common in speech and helps when you drop the noun:
- — Kaç bardak var? — İki tane (var).
Don’t use tane with standard measure words unless you mean “servings/items”:
- Say iki bardak su (two glasses of water), not iki tane su—unless you’re ordering: “Two waters” (iki tane su) is fine in a café context.
With pronouns/demonstratives, tane is often needed:
- Şunlardan iki tane var.

Can I put bir there for the article?

bir means “one” or “a/an.” With numbers other than one, don’t use bir.
- Bir bardak = one glass.
- İki bardak = two glasses.
Turkish doesn’t have a word for “the”; definiteness comes from context. Masada can mean “on a/the table.”

How do I make it negative?

Use yok to negate existence:
- Masada bardak yok = There are no glasses on the table.
To deny a specific count:
- Masada iki bardak yok = There aren’t two glasses (maybe one, maybe none).
Don’t say var değil.

How do I ask yes/no and wh- questions with this?

Yes/no: Masada iki bardak var mı? — Evet, var. / Hayır, yok.
How many: Masada kaç tane bardak var? — İki tane.
What’s on the table: Masada ne var? — İki bardak.
The question particle mi/mi?/mı/mu/mü is written separately and follows vowel harmony: var mı?

Can I change the word order? Is İki bardak masada okay?

Neutral, most common: Masada iki bardak var.
Focus on number: İki bardak var masada (natural in speech).
İki bardak masada (without var) means “The two glasses are on the table” (identifying known glasses), not an existential “there are…”
İki bardak masada var is grammatical but marked; prefer the neutral order above.

What’s the difference between var and vardır?

var is neutral, everyday.
vardır adds formality/certainty or states a general fact:
- Bu sınıfta 20 öğrenci vardır (report-like statement).
In this sentence, vardır would sound stiff in casual speech.

What’s the difference between bardak, fincan, and kupa?

Is Masada one word? What about Masa da?

Masada (one word) = masa
- locative -da → “on/at the table.”
Masa da (two words) uses the particle da/de meaning “also/too”:
- Raflarda kitap var. Masa da dolu. = There are books on the shelves. The table is full, too.
Don’t confuse the locative suffix (attached) with the “also” particle (separate).

Can I drop the noun and just say “There are two”?

Yes, if context makes the noun clear: Masada iki tane var. (There are two of them on the table.)
To say “Two of them are on the table,” you can also say: İkisi masada.

How do I say it in the past or future?

Why not Masada bardağı var? When do I use the accusative?

With var/yok, the thing that exists stays unmarked (no accusative): Masada bardak var.
Accusative (-ı/i/u/ü) marks definite direct objects of verbs: Bardağı aldım (I took the glass).
To make it definite with var, use a determiner instead: Masada o bardak var (That specific glass is on the table).

Are there more formal alternatives to var?

Is masa üstünde okay?

Standard is masanın üstünde/üzerinde (genitive + locative).
masa üstünde is common in casual speech but is less formal. Use masanın üstünde in careful writing or exams.

What about iki adet bardak? Is it the same as iki tane?

adet = “units/pieces” in formal or technical contexts (inventories, signage): 2 adet bardak.
In everyday speech, prefer iki bardak or iki tane bardak.