Breakdown of Diş fırçası banyoda duruyor.
-da
in
banyo
the bathroom
durmak
to stand
diş fırçası
the toothbrush
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Questions & Answers about Diş fırçası banyoda duruyor.
What does the suffix on banyoda do, and why is it -da (not -de or -ta)?
-da/-de is the locative case meaning “in/at/on.” You choose -da because the last vowel of banyo is back (o) → take a. You keep d (not t) because the word ends in a vowel/voiced sound; -ta/-te follows voiceless consonants (e.g., parkta, şehirde).
Why use duruyor at all—can’t I just say “Diş fırçası banyoda”?
You can. Diş fırçası banyoda is a complete nominal sentence in Turkish (zero “to be”). Adding duruyor highlights a continuing state (“is sitting/standing there now”) or adds a slightly more dynamic/contrastive feel.
What exactly does duruyor mean here?
durmak means “to stand, to stay, to remain (stationary)” and also “to stop.” With an inanimate object and a place, it reads as “is staying/standing (there),” not “is stopping.”
How is duruyor formed, and why is it -uyor not -iyor?
Root dur- + progressive -(I)yor → duruyor. The suffix vowel harmonizes with the root’s last vowel (u → -uyor). The y is part of the suffix (-yor) and links the vowels.
What does the -sı in diş fırçası do?
It’s the 3rd person possessive -(s)I, which in an indefinite noun compound functions as the compound marker: diş fırçası = “toothbrush.” In such compounds the first noun (diş) is bare; the head noun (fırça) carries -(s)I. Without it (diş fırça) is ungrammatical as a compound.
But can diş fırçası also mean “his/her toothbrush”?
Yes, with an explicit possessor: onun diş fırçası = “his/her toothbrush,” Ali’nin diş fırçası = “Ali’s toothbrush.” Without a possessor, diş fırçası is normally understood as the lexical compound “toothbrush.” Context resolves any ambiguity.
Why is there no article like “the” or “a”?
Turkish has no articles. Definiteness comes from context, word order, and case. This sentence can refer to “the toothbrush” or “a toothbrush” depending on context; for a clear existential “a,” speakers often prefer a var construction.
Could I say “Banyoda diş fırçası var” instead? What’s the difference?
Yes. Banyoda diş fırçası var means “There is a toothbrush in the bathroom” (existence). Diş fırçası banyoda duruyor locates a specific/known toothbrush and adds the nuance that it’s “sitting/staying” there.
What about word order—what’s being emphasized?
In Turkish, the element immediately before the verb is in focus. In Diş fırçası banyoda duruyor, banyoda is focused (it’s in the bathroom, not elsewhere). To put stronger emphasis on the place, keep banyoda right before duruyor or front it: Banyoda duruyor (diş fırçası).
How do I ask “Is the toothbrush in the bathroom?”
Use the question clitic mI on the focused word: Diş fırçası banyoda mı duruyor? If you omit the verb, a nominal question also works: Diş fırçası banyoda mı?
How do I say “The toothbrushes are in the bathroom”?
Pluralize the head of the compound: diş fırçaları (note: plural -lar/-ler comes before the compound marker). → Diş fırçaları banyoda duruyor(lar). The plural on the verb (-lar) is optional here.
How do I say “My toothbrush is in the bathroom”?
Use a personal possessive on the head: diş fırçam = “my toothbrush” (fırça + m). → Diş fırçam banyoda (duruyor).
Are there more formal or alternative ways to say this?
Yes: Diş fırçası banyoda bulunuyor (“is located,” more formal/neutral). For existence: Banyoda diş fırçası var. Formal written style may use Banyoda diş fırçası mevcut (“present/available”).
Any pronunciation tips for this sentence?
ı (in fırçası) is the dotless vowel [ɯ], not like English “i.” ş = “sh,” ç = “ch.” banyo is roughly “ban-yo,” with the ny like the “ny” in “canyon.”