Learn Hardcore Turkish: Normalde geç gelmem, ama bugün trafik yüzünden geciktim; özür dilerim. - I don’t usually arrive late, but today I was delayed by traffic; I’m sorry.

“Geç gelmem” is the aorist (habitual) negative: “I don’t (normally) come late.” “Geciktim” is simple past: “I was delayed / I got delayed (today).” Together: a general habit contrasted with a one-time exception.

How is “gelmem” formed morphologically?

It’s gel- (come) + -me (negative aorist) + -m (1st person). Affirmative aorist would be “gelirim” (I come/I usually come). So “geç gelmem” = “I don’t come late (as a rule).”

Why not “geç gelmiyorum” instead of “geç gelmem”?

“Gelmiyorum” is present continuous: “I’m not coming (late) [now/these days].” The aorist “gelmem” states a general, timeless habit. With “Normalde,” the aorist is the natural choice.

What exactly does “yüzünden” mean and how do I use it?

“Yüzünden” is a postposition meaning “because of / due to,” often with a negative or blaming nuance. With nouns you typically say: “X yüzünden” (e.g., “trafik yüzünden”). With pronouns you must use the genitive + possessed form: “benim yüzümden, senin yüzünden, onun yüzünden,” etc.

Is “yüzünden” always negative? What if the cause is positive?

It usually carries a negative/blame flavor. For positive causes, use “sayesinde” (thanks to): “Trafik azdı, bu sayede erken geldim.”

Could I say “trafikten dolayı” or “trafik nedeniyle” instead of “trafik yüzünden”?

Yes:

“Trafikten dolayı” (ablative + “dolayı”)—neutral, common.
“Trafik nedeniyle” (more formal/register-neutral).
“Trafik yüzünden” (very common, slightly blame-tinged). Avoid doubling: “yüzünden dolayı” is redundant.

What’s the nuance difference between “geciktim,” “geç kaldım,” and “geç geldim”?

“Geciktim”: I got delayed (often implies external factors).
“Geç kaldım”: I was late (for something)—the most common everyday choice.
“Geç geldim”: I came late (focus on the act of arriving late). All are acceptable here; “geç kaldım” is very idiomatic.

Why is it “geciktim” with a “c” and not “geçiktim” with “ç”?

The verb is “gecikmek” (to be delayed), spelled with “c.” It’s a separate lexical item; “geçikmek” is considered a misspelling. Contrast with “geç kalmak,” where “geç” stays with “ç.”

Do I need the subject “ben” in “Normalde (ben) geç gelmem”?

No. Turkish verb endings already mark the subject. “Ben” is added only for emphasis or contrast: “Normalde ben geç gelmem (ama başkaları gelebilir).”

What role does “ama” play here? Could I use “fakat” or “ancak”?

“Ama” = “but,” the most common, neutral connector. “Fakat” and “ancak” are more formal/literary; both work: “..., fakat/ancak bugün trafik yüzünden...”

Is the comma before “ama” and the semicolon before “özür dilerim” okay?

Yes. “..., ama ...” with a comma is standard. The semicolon links a closely related independent clause; a period would also be fine: “... geciktim. Özür dilerim.”

Could I reorder the sentence?

Sure: “Bugün trafik yüzünden geciktim, ama normalde geç gelmem; özür dilerim.” Turkish allows flexible word order for emphasis; keep elements that belong together (like “trafik yüzünden”) adjacent.

What’s the difference between “özür dilerim,” “kusura bakmayın,” “pardon,” and “üzgünüm”?

“Özür dilerim”: “I apologize” (polite, works in most contexts).
“Kusura bakmayın/bakma”: “Please don’t hold it against me” (very common, polite).
“Pardon”: casual “sorry/excuse me.”
“Üzgünüm”: “I’m sorry” (expresses regret/sadness, not necessarily an apology).

Is “Normalde” the only option? What about “Genelde/Genellikle”?

All work:

“Normalde” = normally.
“Genelde/Genellikle” = generally/usually. Tiny nuance differences; they’re interchangeable here.

What is “geç” here—an adjective or an adverb?

It functions adverbially modifying the verb: “come late.” As an adjective, it can modify nouns: “geç cevap” (a late reply).

Could I use “çünkü” instead of “yüzünden”?

Yes, but you need a full clause after “çünkü”: “..., çünkü trafikteydim/çünkü trafik vardı.” “Yüzünden” takes a noun phrase: “trafik yüzünden.”

Can “gelmem” ever mean “I won’t come”?

Yes. In conversational Turkish, the negative aorist can express refusal/decision: “Partiye gel.” → “Gelmem.” In your sentence, “Normalde” forces the habitual reading.