Questions & Answers about Bu küçük hata önemsiz.
Why is there no word for “is” in this sentence?
Turkish often leaves out the verb “to be” in the present tense for third person. This is a nominal sentence: the subject is Bu küçük hata and the predicate (what it “is”) is önemsiz.
- Bu küçük hata önemsiz. = “This small mistake is insignificant.”
- You only add a visible copular element if needed for formality or other tenses/persons (see below).
Can I say önemsizdir here? What’s the nuance?
Yes: Bu küçük hata önemsizdir. is correct. The suffix -(d)ir adds a formal, matter‑of‑fact, or generalizing tone (often used in writing, definitions, or statements of general truth). In casual speech you usually drop it:
- Neutral/casual: Bu küçük hata önemsiz.
- Formal/authoritative: Bu küçük hata önemsizdir.
What’s the difference between Bu küçük hata and Bu küçük bir hata?
- Bu küçük hata = “this small mistake” (a specific mistake you’re pointing to). Here bu is a demonstrative determiner modifying the noun.
- Bu küçük bir hata. = “This is a small mistake.” Here bu is a pronoun (“this”), and bir is the indefinite article “a.” Don’t mix them as Bu küçük bir hata önemsiz; say either:
- Bu küçük hata önemsiz. (This small mistake is insignificant.)
- Bu önemsiz bir hata. (This is an insignificant mistake.)