Doğu kapısı kilitli.

to be

Breakdown of Doğu kapısı kilitli.

• kapı: the door
• kilitli: locked
• doğu: east

Questions & Answers about Doğu kapısı kilitli.

Why is there no word for “is” in the sentence?

Turkish often uses nominal sentences, where a noun or adjective functions as the predicate without an explicit “to be” verb. So in “Doğu kapısı kilitli,” the adjective kilitli (locked) is the predicate, and the sentence means “The east gate is locked.” You can optionally add the copular suffix -dir for formality or emphasis: Doğu kapısı kilitlidir (more formal, matter‑of‑fact).

What does the suffix “-sı” in “kapısı” do?

It’s the 3rd person possessive/compound marker: kapı (door/gate) + -(s)I → kapısı. In an indefinite noun compound like Doğu kapısı (“east gate”), the head noun takes this suffix. Vowel harmony chooses the right vowel: after kapı (last vowel ı), it’s -sı. The “s” appears because the noun ends in a vowel; compare ev → evi (no s after a consonant).

Why is it “Doğu kapısı” and not just “Doğu kapı”?

In Turkish, “Noun + Noun” compounds typically require the head noun to carry the -(s)I suffix. So “east gate” must be Doğu kapısı, not “Doğu kapı,” which sounds ungrammatical.

How is “Doğu kapısı” different from “Doğu’nun kapısı”?