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Questions & Answers about Taraf seçmek zor.
What does each word mean, and how is the sentence structured?
- taraf = side, party
- seçmek = to choose (root seç-
- infinitive -mek)
- zor = hard, difficult Structure: a verb phrase in the infinitive (taraf seçmek) acts as the subject, and the predicate is the adjective zor. Literally: “Choosing a side is hard.”
Where is the verb “is”? Why doesn’t Turkish use it here?
Turkish often drops the copula “to be” in the 3rd person present. So Taraf seçmek zor means “Choosing a side is hard” without an explicit “is.” You can optionally add the generalizing copular suffix -dır: Taraf seçmek zordur.
Is there any difference between “zor” and “zordur” here?
Both mean “is hard.” Zor is neutral and common in speech. Zordur is more formal, and often implies a general truth or broadly applicable statement.
Why is it “taraf” and not “tarafı”? Shouldn’t the object be accusative?
In Turkish, direct objects are unmarked (no accusative) when they are indefinite/generic. Taraf here means “a side (in general).” If you say tarafı, it becomes definite: Tarafı seçmek zor = “Choosing the side (a specific one we both know) is hard.”
Can I add “bir” to mean “a side”?
Yes: Bir taraf seçmek zor is possible and emphasizes “one/a single side.” It can sound contrastive (among several sides) or stylistic. In many contexts, bare taraf already conveys the indefinite “a side.”
Can I change the order to “Zor taraf seçmek”?
Be careful: Zor taraf seçmek is read as “to choose the difficult side,” because zor then modifies taraf (attributive adjective), not the whole clause. To say “Choosing a side is hard,” keep zor as the sentence-final predicate: Taraf seçmek zor.
What’s the difference between “taraf seçmek” and “taraf seçme”?
Both can act as a noun-like subject:
- Taraf seçmek zor (infinitive) feels slightly more general or citation-like.
- Taraf seçme zor (verbal noun in -me) sounds a bit more nominal (“the act of choosing sides is hard”). Both are acceptable; -mek is very common in this pattern.
How do I say “It’s hard for me/you/him-her to choose a side”?
Two common ways:
- Using “for (someone)” with için:
- Benim için taraf seçmek zor.
- Senin için taraf seçmek zor.
- Onun için taraf seçmek zor.
- Using possessive on the verbal noun:
- Taraf seçmem zor (for me)
- Taraf seçmen zor (for you)
- Onun taraf seçmesi zor (for him/her)
How do I put this in the past or future?
Attach tense to the predicate or use olmak:
- Past: Taraf seçmek zordu.
- Future: Taraf seçmek zor olacak.
- Reported: Taraf seçmek zormuş.
- Habitual/general: Taraf seçmek zordur.
How do I ask a yes/no question or make it negative?
- Question: Taraf seçmek zor mu? (Note the question particle mu is written separately.)
- Negative: Taraf seçmek zor değil.
How do I say “Why is it so hard to choose a side?”
Neden taraf seçmek bu kadar zor? You can intensify with bu kadar (so), çok (very), oldukça (quite): Taraf seçmek çok zor.
Any pronunciation tips?
- taraf: stress usually on the last syllable: ta-RAF; the r is a tapped/flapped r.
- seçmek: “ç” is like English “ch” in “church”: sech-MEK; stress on -MEK.
- zor: one syllable, like “zor.” Overall: ta-RAF sech-MEK zor.
Is there a difference between “taraf seçmek” and “taraf tutmak”?
Yes. Taraf seçmek = to choose a side (make a choice). Taraf tutmak = to take sides/be biased in favor of one side. In contexts about fairness, taraf tutmak often has a negative nuance.
Can I rephrase with a noun like “difficulty”?
Yes:
- Taraf seçmenin zorluğu var. = “There is the difficulty of choosing a side.”
- Taraf seçmekte zorluk çekiyorum. = “I have difficulty choosing a side.” The original with zor is simpler and very natural.
What about using “olmak,” like “Taraf seçmek zor olur”?
Taraf seçmek zor olur suggests “it tends to be/it would be hard (in those circumstances),” a bit more conditional or hedged than the bare zor statement.
How do I express obligation instead of difficulty?
Use -mek zorunda (olmak):
- Taraf seçmek zorundayım. = “I have to choose a side.” This is obligation, not difficulty. Don’t confuse zor (hard) with zorunda (obliged).
How would I talk about multiple sides?
Use plurals or a clearer object:
- Taraflar arasından seçim yapmak zor. = “It’s hard to make a choice among the sides.”
- Taraflar arasından birini seçmek zor. = “It’s hard to pick one among the sides.”