Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Turkish grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Ben sırt çantası taşıyorum.
What does each part of Ben sırt çantası taşıyorum mean, and what are the suffixes?
- Ben = I
- sırt = back
- çanta = bag
- -sı = 3rd person possessive on the head noun in a noun–noun compound; together, sırt çantası = backpack
- taşı- = carry (verb stem)
- -yor = present continuous marker
- -um = 1st person singular ending Overall: Ben (I) + sırt çantası (a backpack) + taşı-yor-um (am carrying) → I am carrying a backpack.
Why is it sırt çantası and not sırt çanta?
Turkish forms many compound nouns as “modifier + head(+3rd person possessive).” This is called an indefinite noun compound. So:
- sırt (back) + çanta (bag) + -sı → sırt çantası (backpack) Other examples: okul çantası (school bag), el çantası (handbag). Dropping -sı would sound ungrammatical for these compounds.
Why doesn’t sırt çantası have the accusative ending (-ı/-i/-u/-ü)?
Because it’s an indefinite direct object (“a backpack”). In Turkish, indefinite direct objects are unmarked (no accusative). If the object is specific/definite (“the/that backpack”), you add the accusative: sırt çantasını.
When would I say sırt çantasını?
Use the accusative when the object is specific or known:
- O siyah sırt çantasını taşıyorum. = I’m carrying the black backpack (that specific one). Note the buffer consonant n: çanta-sı-nı (possessive -sı + accusative -ı).
How do I say I am carrying my backpack?
Sırt çantamı taşıyorum.
- çantam = my backpack (-m = 1st person possessive)
- çantamı = accusative of a possessed, definite object
Is Ben necessary here?
No. The verb ending already shows the subject. Sırt çantası taşıyorum is the default, neutral way. Keeping Ben adds emphasis or contrast (I, as opposed to someone else).
What tense/aspect is -yor in taşıyorum?
-yor marks the present continuous/progressive (an action happening now or around now). taşı-yor-um = I am carrying. After -yor, the personal ending (-um here) follows vowel harmony: with -yor, the last vowel is o (back/rounded), so you get -um.
How would I say I carry a backpack (habitually), not right now?
Use the aorist (simple present): Ben genelde sırt çantası taşırım. This expresses a general habit or repeated action.
How do I make it negative or ask a yes/no question?
- Negative: Sırt çantası taşımıyorum. (taşı- + -ma/-me negative + -yor + -um)
- Yes/no question: Sırt çantası taşıyor muyum? The question particle mi/mı/mu/mü is separate and follows vowel harmony.
Can I add bir to say a backpack explicitly?
Yes: Bir sırt çantası taşıyorum = I’m carrying a/one backpack. Without bir, it’s still indefinite; adding bir can highlight “one/a certain” or introduce a new item into the discourse.
What if I mean wearing a backpack (on my back), not just carrying it in my hand?
You can say: Sırt çantası takıyorum.
- takmak is often used for “put on/wear” items like backpacks, glasses, earrings, etc.
- taşımak emphasizes carrying/transporting.
Can I change the word order?
Turkish prefers the verb at the end. The neutral order is [subject] [object] sırt çantası taşıyorum. You can omit Ben, or front items for focus, but Taşıyorum sırt çantası is unusual in standard neutral speech.
How do I say the backpack is mine and I’m carrying it?
Sırt çantamı taşıyorum. If you want extra emphasis on “my own,” you can add kendi: Kendi sırt çantamı taşıyorum.
How do I talk about the past or future with the same sentence?
- Past continuous: Sırt çantası taşıyordum. = I was carrying a backpack.
- Simple past: Sırt çantası taşıdım. = I carried a backpack.
- Future: Sırt çantası taşıyacağım. = I will carry a backpack.
Pronunciation tips for this sentence?
- ı (dotless i) is a close back unrounded vowel [ɯ], similar to the second vowel in “roses” for some speakers; think a relaxed “uh” but not central.
- ş = “sh” as in “ship”; ç = “ch” as in “chat.”
- Approximate: Ben [ben] sırt [sɯrt] çantası [tʃan-ta-sɯ] taşıyorum [ta-ʃɯ-yo-rum].
Is there any difference between saying Sırt çantası taşıyorum and Ben sırt çantası taşıyorum?
Meaning is the same. Adding Ben adds emphasis on the subject (I), useful for contrast or clarity. In everyday conversation, the version without Ben is very common.