Learn Hardcore Turkish: Toplantıda ayakta kalmak istemiyorum. - I don’t want to remain standing in the meeting.

The locative suffix is -DA, which obeys two rules:
- Vowel harmony: last vowel is back (ı, a, o, u) → use -da; front (i, e, ö, ü) → use -de. Here last vowel of toplantı is ı → -da.
- Voicing: after a voiceless consonant you get -ta/-te; otherwise -da/-de. Here toplantı ends in a vowel (ı) → -da. Examples: evde (at home), parkta (in the park).

How does ayakta mean “standing” if it literally means “on the foot”?

Turkish often uses locative forms adverbially. Ayakta (ayak + -ta) literally “on foot” has the idiomatic meaning “standing.” Common collocations:

ayakta durmak = to stand (maintain a standing posture)
ayakta kalmak = to end up/remain standing (often because there’s no seat)
ayakta beklemek = to wait standing

What’s the nuance difference between ayakta kalmak, ayakta durmak, and ayağa kalkmak?

ayakta durmak: to stand (hold a standing position), neutral/intentional.
ayakta kalmak: to remain or wind up standing (often unwanted, e.g., no seats left).
ayağa kalkmak: to stand up (the action of getting up from sitting/lying).

In this sentence, ayakta kalmak suggests “I don’t want to be left standing” rather than simply “I don’t want to stand.”

Why is the negation on istemiyorum rather than on kalmak?

In Turkish, it’s most natural to negate the matrix verb istemek when expressing “not want to …”: … kalmak istemiyorum. You can negate the subordinate verb, but that’s marked or emphasizes the action:

Neutral/natural: ayakta kalmak istemiyorum (I don’t want to stand).
Marked emphasis: ayakta kalmamak istiyorum (I want to not stand), focusing on “not standing” as the desired outcome.

Could I say ayakta kalmayı istemiyorum?

Grammatically yes (that’s the accusative-marked verbal noun), but it often sounds stiff or overly formal in everyday speech. The unmarked, most idiomatic choice with istemek is the bare infinitive: kalmak istemiyorum.

How is the negation in istemiyorum formed?

Root iste- + negative -me- + progressive -yor + 1st-person -um:

iste-me-yor-um → “I am not wanting” → “I don’t want.” Note that -me-
- -iyor surfaces as -miyor in spelling/pronunciation.

Why is there no explicit “I” (ben)?

Turkish verbs carry person/number endings, so the subject is understood from -um (“I”). You can add Ben for emphasis or contrast:

Ben toplantıda ayakta kalmak istemiyorum (I, as opposed to others, don’t want…).

Can I change the word order?

Yes; Turkish is flexible, but the finite verb typically comes last. Some options:

Neutral: Toplantıda ayakta kalmak istemiyorum.
Emphasize the place: Ayakta kalmak toplantıda istemiyorum. (sounds marked; usually used with a pause)
Emphasize the action: Toplantıda ayakta kalmak istemiyorum (already focuses on the action before the verb). Best to keep the original for naturalness unless you have a reason to focus something.

How do I make this a yes/no question?

Use the question particle mi/ mı/ mu/ mü after the verb, matching vowel harmony and person:

Toplantıda ayakta kalmak istemiyor muyum? (Am I not wanting to remain standing at the meeting?) More practical forms for other persons:
… istemiyor musun? (you)
… istemiyor mu? (he/she/it)
… istemiyor muyuz? (we), etc.

How do I say it in past or future?

Past: Toplantıda ayakta kalmak istemedim. (I didn’t want to…)
Future: Toplantıda ayakta kalmak istemeyeceğim. (I will not want to… / I don’t intend to…)
General/habitual refusal (aorist): Toplantıda ayakta kalmak istemem. (I don’t/won’t want to—as a general stance or polite refusal.)

Does Toplantıda mean “in the meeting” or “during the meeting”?

Both, depending on context. The locative can mark location or time. With events like meetings, Toplantıda usually means “during/at the meeting.”

Why is it ayakta (with -ta) and not ayakda?

Because of consonant voicing harmony with the locative -DA:

After a voiceless consonant (like k), the suffix devoices to -ta/-te → ayak + ta = ayakta.
After a vowel or voiced consonant, you get -da/-de.

How would I talk about multiple meetings?

Use the plural with the locative: Toplantılar-da ayakta kalmak istemiyorum. (I don’t want to be left standing at meetings.)