Learn Hardcore Turkish: Lütfen adını heceler misin? Harf harf yazmak istiyorum. - Would you please spell your name? I want to write it letter by letter.

Literally, hecelemek means “to syllabify” (break into syllables). In everyday speech people do use it to mean “to spell,” but if you want to be crystal clear about letter-by-letter spelling, prefer harf harf söylemek or kodlamak (to spell out using letters).

Why is it heceler misin (aorist) rather than heceliyor musun (present continuous)?

The aorist question form (Verb + r + mi + person) is the standard way to make a polite request: heceler misin ≈ “Would you spell…?”
heceliyor musun asks about an action in progress: “Are you spelling (it) right now?”—not a request.

Why is adını in the accusative?

Because the object is definite (“your name,” a specific name). Transitive verbs take the accusative -(y)I with definite objects: adını hecelemek = “to spell your name.” Without the accusative it would sound wrong or imply an indefinite object.

How is adını built, and can it be ambiguous?

ad + -ın (your) → adın = “your name”
adın + -ı (accusative) → adını = “your name (acc.)”
Note: adı + -nı also yields adını (“his/her name,” acc.). Context disambiguates. If you mean a third person, add onun: Onun adını heceler misin?

Do I need to say senin (Senin adını…)?

No. The possessive suffix already shows “your.” Senin is optional and used for emphasis or contrast.

What’s the more formal/polite version?

Use plural/polite second person: Lütfen adınızı heceler misiniz?
Even more natural in service contexts: Lütfen adınızı kodlar mısınız?

Can I say heceleyebilir misin instead? What’s the nuance?

Yes: heceleyebilir misin focuses on ability (“Can you spell…?”). heceler misin is the default polite request (“Would you spell…?”). Both are fine in everyday speech.

Is Harf harf yazmak istiyorum natural? What’s the object?

Yes. It means “I want to write it letter by letter,” with the object understood from context (the name). You can make it explicit: Adını harf harf yazmak istiyorum or Onu harf harf yazmak istiyorum. If you want the other person to say the letters so you can write them, you might add: Adınızı harf harf söyler misiniz?

Could I use isim instead of ad?

Yes. ad/adı and isim/isimi both mean “name.” Both are very common. Example: Lütfen isminizi heceler misiniz?

Where can lütfen go in the sentence?

It’s flexible: Lütfen adını heceler misin?, Adını heceler misin lütfen?, or Adını lütfen heceler misin? All are polite; initial position is slightly more formal/neutral.

What’s happening with mi in misin? How do I spell it?

mi/mı/mu/mü is a question particle written as a separate word.
It follows vowel harmony based on the last vowel of the preceding word: heceler mi… (e → mi).
Person endings attach to mi: heceler mi-sin, heceler mi-siniz. So write: heceler misin, not as one fused word with the verb.

Why yazmak istiyorum and not yazmayı istiyorum? And what about isterim vs istiyorum?

The default with istemek is the infinitive: -mak/-mek + istiyorum (e.g., yazmak istiyorum).
-mayı/-meyi istiyorum is grammatical but used for contrast/emphasis (e.g., choosing between options).
istiyorum is the normal “I want (now).” isterim is more general/hypothetical or formal (“I would like/I tend to want”).

Are there other natural ways to ask someone to spell their name?

Common options:

Adınızı harf harf söyler misiniz?
Adınızı kodlar mısınız? (very common on the phone/counters)
Informal: Adını harf harf söyler misin?

Any pronunciation tips for tricky letters here?

c in hecele- sounds like English “j” in “jam”: he-je-le.
ı (dotless i) in adını and misin is a back, unrounded vowel (like the vowel in English “roses” or “sofa” when unstressed).
harf is pronounced “harf” (final f is voiceless), and mi is unstressed; the main stress is typically near the end of the verb phrase: heceleR miSIN.