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Questions & Answers about Dönüş geç oldu.
What does dönüş mean exactly, and what kind of word is it?
Dönüş is a noun meaning return (the act of coming back). It’s a deverbal noun formed from the verb dönmek (to return) with the suffix -üş. It can also mean a turn (as in a U-turn). Examples: gidiş-dönüş bileti (round-trip ticket), U dönüşü (U-turn).
Why do we need oldu here? Why not just Dönüş geç?
Turkish uses olmak to express that something turned out/ended up in a certain state, especially in the past. Dönüş geç oldu means the return ended up being late. Bare Dönüş geç is not idiomatic for past meaning.
Does oldu mean “was” or “became” here?
Both nuances are possible, but the most natural English rendering is was late or ended up being late. The verb olmak often softens the statement to a result: it turned out late.
Who is the subject here? There’s no “we” or “I.”
The subject is the noun dönüş (the return). Turkish doesn’t need a pronoun; context usually makes it clear whose return is meant (often our return). To be explicit, add possession: Dönüşüm geç oldu (my return), Dönüşümüz geç oldu (our return).
How do I say “We got back late” more directly?
- Geç döndük. (We returned late.) This is the most direct, everyday way.
- Dönüşümüz geç oldu. (Our return was late.) Slightly more event-focused or formal.
Is geç an adjective or an adverb here?
In Dönüş geç oldu, geç functions as an adjective (late) linked with oldu. In Geç döndük, geç is an adverb modifying the verb (returned late).
Can I say Dönüş geç kaldı?
It will be understood, but more natural options are Dönüş gecikti (the return was delayed) or simply Geç döndük. Geç kalmak is most typical with people being late to something (e.g., Toplantıya geç kaldık).
What tense/aspect is oldu, and how would other tenses look?
Oldu is simple past (It was/ended up). Other common forms:
- Dönüş geç oluyor. (The return is happening late; it tends to be late.)
- Dönüş geç olacak. (The return will be late.)
- Dönüş geç olmuş. (Apparently/it seems the return was late.)
How do I ask a yes/no question?
- Dönüş geç oldu mu? (Was the return late?)
- Dönüş geç mi oldu? (Was it late, specifically?) The second emphasizes the word late.
How do I intensify or soften it (very/a bit/too late)?
- Çok geç oldu. (It was very late.)
- Biraz/Epey geç oldu. (It was a bit/quite late.)
- Fazla geç oldu. (It was too late.)
How do I mark whose return it is?
Use possessive endings: dönüşüm (my), dönüşün (your), dönüşü (his/her), dönüşümüz (our), dönüşleri (their). You can add a pronoun for clarity: benim/bizim. Note that dönüşüm can also mean transformation in other contexts; benim dönüşüm removes ambiguity.
Is the word order fixed? Could I say Geç oldu dönüş?
Default and most natural is Subject + Predicate: Dönüş geç oldu. Putting dönüş at the end (Geç oldu dönüş) is unusual and sounds poetic or highly marked in everyday speech.
Why not use geçti for the past (like Dönüş geçti)?
Geçti is the past of geçmek (to pass), so Dönüş geçti means the return is over/has passed, not it was late. For late in the past, use geç oldu (or very formal geç idi).
Is Geç oldu a set phrase in Turkish?
Yes. Geç oldu commonly means It’s gotten late (now), often used to politely wrap up a visit or suggest leaving: Geç oldu, biz kalkalım.
How do I negate it or give a reason?
- Negation: Dönüş geç olmadı. (The return wasn’t late.)
- With a reason: Dönüş geç oldu çünkü trafik yoğundu. (… because traffic was heavy.)
You can also use yüzünden: Trafik yüzünden dönüş geç oldu.