Questions & Answers about Sayaç doğru çalışıyor.
What does each word do here, and how is the verb built?
- Sayaç = meter/counter (subject; singular).
- doğru = correctly (adverb modifying the verb).
- çalışıyor = is working/running (present continuous). Formation of çalışıyor: stem çalış- (to work) + progressive -(I)yor (the I becomes ı/i/u/ü by vowel harmony) + zero 3rd‑person ending.
Is doğru an adjective or an adverb in this sentence?
An adverb. It modifies the verb çalışıyor and means “correctly/properly.”
- Adverb use: Sayaç doğru çalışıyor.
- Adjective use: Doğru sayaç = the correct meter (describes a noun).
Can I say düzgün çalışıyor instead? What’s the difference?
Yes. Nuance:
- doğru çalışıyor = it functions correctly/accurately (no error in results).
- düzgün çalışıyor = it works properly/smoothly (no malfunction or irregular behavior). Both are common; choose based on whether you care about accuracy or smooth operation.
Why is there no word for “it” or “is”?
Is the word order fixed? Could I say Doğru sayaç çalışıyor?
Basic order in Turkish is Subject–(Adverb)–Verb. Sayaç doğru çalışıyor is the neutral order.
Doğru sayaç çalışıyor means “the correct meter is working” (i.e., the meter that is correct), which is a different meaning.
How do I turn this into a yes/no question?
Add the question particle after the predicate: Sayaç doğru çalışıyor mu?
- The particle is written separately and harmonizes as mi/mı/mu/mü with the last vowel (here, o → mu).
How do I negate it?
Use the negative suffix before the progressive: Sayaç doğru çalışmıyor.
Pattern: çalış- + -ma- (negation) + -(I)yor → çalışmıyor.
Don’t use değil with verbs.
What’s the difference between çalışıyor and çalışır?
- çalışıyor (present continuous) = is working right now/currently.
- çalışır (aorist) = works in general/typically; a habitual or general statement.
Example: Sayaç genelde doğru çalışır, şu an da doğru çalışıyor.
How do articles work here? Is it “the meter” or “a meter”?
Any pronunciation tips for these words?
- sayaç: final ç = ch in chair (sa‑yaç).
- doğru: ğ lengthens the preceding vowel; roughly do:ru (no hard g).
- çalışıyor: ç = ch, ş = sh, dotless ı is a back unrounded vowel (like the a in sofa): cha‑luh‑shuh‑yor.
Could I use işliyor instead of çalışıyor?
Sometimes. işlemek is often used for mechanisms that “run/tick,” especially clocks: Saat işliyor.
For meters and most devices, çalışmak is the default. If you mean “measures,” you can also say Sayaç doğru ölçüyor (the meter measures correctly).
How do I refer to the meter as an object (with cases)?
Final ç softens to c before vowel‑initial suffixes:
- Nominative: sayaç
- Accusative (definite): sayacı (I’m checking the meter = Sayacı kontrol ediyorum.)
- Dative: sayaca (to the meter)
- Genitive: sayacın (of the meter)
- Locative: sayaçta (at/on the meter)
- Ablative: sayaçtan (from the meter)
- Instrumental: sayaçla (with the meter; no softening because the suffix starts with a consonant)
Does doğru have other meanings I should know?
Yes:
- “right/correct” (adjective or noun: doğru mu? = is it correct?)
- “straight” or a “straight line” in geometry.
- As a postposition meaning “towards” with dative: okula doğru (towards the school).
In the sentence here it’s an adverb meaning “correctly.”
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