Learn Hardcore Turkish: Akşamüstü buluşalım; o saat bana uygun. - Let’s meet in the late afternoon; that time suits me.

It means the period between late afternoon and early evening—roughly around 4–7 pm, depending on season and context. It comes after “öğleden sonra” (afternoon) and before “akşam” (evening). You may also hear “akşama doğru” (toward evening) as a near-synonym; “ikindi” is another word used for late afternoon in some contexts.

Is “akşamüstü” one word? Can it take suffixes?

Yes, it’s written as one word: “akşamüstü.” Often it’s used bare as a time adverb: “Akşamüstü buluşalım.” You can add case suffixes when needed (e.g., locative): “Akşamüstünde buluşalım” = “Let’s meet in the late afternoon.” Both versions are acceptable; the bare form is very common.

How is “buluşalım” formed, and what does it express?

Root: “buluş-” (to meet), from “bul-” (to find) + reciprocal suffix “-uş” (meet = “find each other”).
Mood: 1st person plural optative/volitional “-(y)Alım/-elim” = “let’s …”
Vowel harmony gives “-alım” after “buluş-” → “buluşalım” = “Let’s meet.”

Why “buluşalım” and not “görüşelim”? What’s the difference?

“Buluşmak” is to meet up (physically come together).
“Görüşmek” is to see/speak with each other (can be in person, by phone, online). For arranging a meet-up at a time/place, “buluşalım” is the default. “Görüşelim” focuses more on having a conversation/interaction.

Why is it “bana uygun”? Could I say “benim için uygun”?

“Uygun” (suitable) typically takes the dative for the person it suits: “X bana uygun” = “X is suitable for me.” You can also say “benim için uygun,” which is equally correct and a bit more explicit (“suitable for me”). Other natural options:

“O saat bana uyar.” (That time suits me.)
“O saatte müsaitim.” (I’m available at that time.)

In “o saat,” what does “o” convey? Could I use “bu” or “şu”?

“O” points to something already mentioned or not immediately present—here, it refers back to “akşamüstü.” “Bu” would mean “this time (here/now),” and “şu” points to something near the listener or just introduced. In this sentence, “o saat” is the natural choice because it refers back to the previously proposed time.

Should it be “o saatte” instead of “o saat”?

No—here “o saat” is the subject of the clause: “O saat [subject] bana [dative] uygun [predicate].” If you use the locative “-de/-da,” you change the meaning to “at that time”: “O saatte müsaitim” = “I am available at that time.” So keep “o saat” (no suffix) when it’s the subject.

Can I say “o zaman bana uygun” instead of “o saat bana uygun”?

Yes, but nuance changes:

“O saat” = that specific clock time/time of day (tied to the schedule).
“O zaman” = then/at that time (broader, more contextual). Since “akşamüstü” is a time-of-day, “o saat” keeps it precise. “O zaman” is fine in casual speech.

Is the semicolon necessary here? Could I use a comma or “çünkü”?

The semicolon is stylistic; it links two closely related independent clauses. You can also use:

A comma: “Akşamüstü buluşalım, o saat bana uygun.”
A period: “Akşamüstü buluşalım. O saat bana uygun.”
“Çünkü” to make the reason explicit: “Akşamüstü buluşalım çünkü o saat bana uygun.”

Can I change the word order?

Yes. Turkish word order is flexible for emphasis.

“Akşamüstü buluşalım” and “Buluşalım akşamüstü” are both fine (the first slightly foregrounds the time).
“O saat bana uygun” and “Bana o saat uygun” are both natural (the second lightly emphasizes “me”).

How do I pronounce “ş” and “ü” in these words?

“ş” is like English “sh.”
“ü” is the front rounded vowel, like German “ü” or French “u” in “tu.” Round your lips while saying “ee.” So “buluşalım” ≈ boo-LOO-sha-luhm; “akşamüstü” ≈ ahk-sham-ÜStü (with both “ü” sounds as above).

How can I soften the suggestion or make it negative?

Softer/asking: “Buluşalım mı?” (Shall we meet?), “Buluşsak?” (What if we met?), “Akşamüstü buluşabilir miyiz?” (Could we meet in the late afternoon?)
Negative: “Buluşmayalım.” (Let’s not meet.), “Akşamüstü buluşmayalım.” (Let’s not meet in the late afternoon.) You form the negative by inserting “-ma/-me” before the optative: “buluş-ma-yalım.”