Learn Hardcore Turkish: Şişeyi biraz eğ, suyu bardağa dökelim. - Tilt the bottle a little, and let's pour the water into the glass.

Because it’s a specific, definite object and the verb eğmek (to tilt) is transitive. Turkish marks definite direct objects with the accusative -ı/‑i/‑u/‑ü. Since şişe ends in a vowel and the suffix starts with a vowel, a buffer consonant y is inserted: şişe + (y) i → şişeyi. Using bare şişe would sound like “tilt a bottle (any bottle),” which isn’t what you mean here.

What exactly does biraz do here?

Biraz is an adverb meaning “a little, slightly.” It modifies the verb eğ and softens the command: Şişeyi biraz eğ = “Tilt the bottle a bit.” You could replace it with near-synonyms like azıcık or hafifçe for similar nuance.

What person and politeness level is eğ?

Eğ is the second-person singular imperative (informal “you”). To address someone politely or plural, use eğin: Şişeyi biraz eğin. An even more polite request is with a modal question: Şişeyi biraz eğebilir misiniz? (“Could you tilt the bottle a little?”). Note: eğer means “if,” so avoid forms like “eğer misiniz.”

How do I pronounce the ğ in eğ and bardağa?

The letter ğ (yumuşak g) is not pronounced like an English “g.” It lengthens or glides the preceding vowel. In eğ, you get a lengthened “e” sound. In bardağa, the “a” before ğ is lengthened. Don’t try to make a hard “g” sound there.

Why does bardak become bardağa?

The dative case -a/‑e marks direction/goal (“to/into”). When you add a vowel-initial suffix to many words ending in k, the k softens to ğ: bardak + a → bardağa. So bardağa means “to/into the glass.”

Is bardağa “to the glass” or “into the glass”? Do I need something like “inside”?

The dative often covers both “to” and “into,” and context resolves it. With a liquid and a container, bardağa dökmek is naturally “pour into the glass.” If you want to be explicit, you can say bardağın içine (“into the inside of the glass”): suyu bardağın içine dökelim.

Why is it suyu and not just su?

Suyu is the accusative form of su (“water”) with buffer y: su + (y) u → suyu. Using the accusative marks the water as specific/definite (“the water,” here: the water we’re dealing with, e.g., in the bottle). Bare su would mean “some water” (indefinite): Bardağa su dökelim = “Let’s pour (some) water into the glass.”

What form is dökelim?

It’s the first-person plural hortative/optative: “let’s pour.” Form = verb stem + -alım/‑elim with vowel harmony: dök- + -elim → dökelim (front vowel in dök- gives ‑elim). It expresses a suggestion/invitation rather than a direct command.

Why mix eğ (2nd person) with dökelim (1st person plural)?

This is natural in Turkish (and English): “You tilt the bottle; let’s pour the water...” The first clause gives a direct instruction to one person, the second proposes a joint action. You could also make both hortative if you want shared action for both: Şişeyi biraz eğelim, suyu bardağa dökelim.

Can I use ve between the clauses? What about de?

A comma is fine and common with imperatives. You can use ve (“and”), but in sequences of actions after imperatives, many speakers prefer the clitic de/da after the first verb: Şişeyi biraz eğ de suyu bardağa dökelim. It feels colloquial and sequential (“…and then…”). Both are acceptable; the comma alone is also normal.

Can I switch the order suyu bardağa to bardağa suyu?

Yes. Both orders are grammatical. Turkish word order is flexible; items closer to the verb tend to be in focus.

Default/neutral-ish: suyu bardağa dökelim (object then goal).
Emphasizing the destination: bardağa suyu dökelim.
If the object is indefinite (no accusative), many speakers prefer goal before object: bardağa su dökelim sounds a bit smoother than su bardağa dökelim.

How do I make the sentence negative?

Negate the imperatives separately:

Don’t tilt: Şişeyi biraz eğme (informal) / eğmeyin (polite/plural).
Let’s not pour: suyu bardağa dökmeyelim. Together: Şişeyi biraz eğme, suyu bardağa dökmeyelim.

How would I ask “Shall we pour the water into the glass?” based on this?

Use the hortative question: Suyu bardağa dökelim mi? For a softer suggestion: Suyu bardağa dökelim mi acaba?

What’s the role of the buffer consonant y in şişeyi and suyu?

When a word ends in a vowel and the next suffix begins with a vowel, Turkish inserts y to prevent vowel clash: şişe + i → şişeyi; su + u → suyu.

Is dökmek always “to pour”? Any nuance?

Dökmek covers “to pour, to spill, to dump.” With liquids into containers, it’s the normal verb for “pour.” Context distinguishes deliberate pouring (bardağa su dökmek) from accidental spilling (su döktüm = “I spilled water”). You’ll also see it with non-liquids: beton dökmek (pour concrete), çöp dökmek (dump trash).