Learn Hardcore Turkish: Burada telefonla konuşmak serbest, ama kısa tutalım. - Speaking on the phone is allowed here, but let’s keep it short.

It’s the comitative/instrumental “with/by” marker. telefonla literally means “with a phone / by phone,” i.e., “on the phone.” It comes from ile (“with”), which is often attached as a suffix:

After a consonant: telefon ile → telefonla, tren ile → trenle
After a vowel (buffer y appears): araba ile → arabayla, suyu ile → suyuyla

Why is konuşmak in the infinitive?

Turkish uses the infinitive (-mak/-mek) as a verbal noun to talk about actions in general. Here, telefonla konuşmak (“talking on the phone”) is the subject of the sentence. So the structure is “Talking on the phone here is allowed.”

More formal: Burada telefonla konuşmak serbesttir.
An alternative phrasing to address “you”: Burada telefonla konuşabilirsiniz.

Do we need the -dir ending in serbest?

No in everyday speech; yes in formal writing. The copular suffix -dir/-dır/-dur/-dür can be added for formality or emphasis: serbesttir. Colloquially it’s often dropped: serbest.

What exactly does kısa tutalım mean, and what verb form is it?

It means “let’s keep it short.”

tut- = “to hold/keep”
-a- = the optative theme vowel
-lım = 1st person plural optative So tutalım is the 1st person plural optative (“let’s keep”). The implied object is “the conversation/phone call.”

Where is the object in kısa tutalım? What are fuller versions?

It’s understood from context. You can make it explicit:

Konuşmayı kısa tutalım. (“Let’s keep the conversation short.”)
Telefon görüşmesini kısa tutalım. When you specify a definite object, use the accusative: -ı/-i/-u/-ü (e.g., konuşmayı).

Can I use telefonda instead of telefonla?

Often yes; both are common when referring to phone conversations.

telefonla emphasizes the means (“by phone”).
telefonda is locative (“on/at the phone”). In many contexts they’re interchangeable: Burada telefonda/telefonla konuşmak serbest.

Can I write telefon ile instead of telefonla?

Yes. ile can stand as a separate word or attach as -la/-le/-yla/-yle. The suffixed form is more common and fluent in speech.

Why is it telefonla (with -la) and not telefonle?

Vowel harmony. The last vowel of telefon is the back vowel o, so you use the back variant -la. If the last vowel were front (e or i, ö, ü), you’d use -le.

What mood/tense is tutalım exactly? How else could I say “let’s keep it short”?

It’s the 1st person plural optative. Other natural options:

Kısa keselim. (“Let’s cut it short.”)
Kısa konuşalım. (“Let’s speak briefly.”) All are polite suggestions.

How would I address the listener directly instead of “let’s”?

Use the imperative or a polite “you can”:

Plural/formal imperative: Kısa tutun (lütfen).
Singular informal: Kısa tut (lütfen).
Polite permission: Burada telefonla konuşabilirsiniz, ama kısa tutun lütfen.

Does serbest mean “free of charge”?

No. serbest here means “allowed/permitted.” For price, use ücretsiz or bedava (“free of charge”). Related contrasts:

müsait = available/free (time/seat)
özgür = free (as in liberty)

Is the comma before ama necessary? Could it be a period?

A comma before ama (“but”) is standard because it joins two clauses. You can also start a new sentence: Burada telefonla konuşmak serbest. Ama kısa tutalım.

Is the word order fixed? Can I say Telefonla konuşmak burada serbest?

Word order is flexible. Both are fine:

Burada telefonla konuşmak serbest. (neutral, sets location first)
Telefonla konuşmak burada serbest. (slight emphasis on the activity) Turkish places the most topical or emphasized element earlier.

Could I say Burada telefonla konuşma serbest instead of konuşmak?

Not natural. konuşma is a noun (“speech/conversation”), but in this generic, rule-like statement, Turkish prefers the infinitive: konuşmak.

What’s the difference between ama, fakat, and ancak here?

All mean “but,” with nuance:

ama: most common, informal/neutral.
fakat: somewhat more formal/literary.
ancak: often “however/only,” slightly formal; can sound like a constraint. All work in this sentence.

Can Burada be shortened to burda?

Yes, burda is a common colloquial pronunciation/spelling. In careful writing, stick with burada.