Questions & Answers about Bu kurabiye bayat.
Where is the verb “is”? Why is there no verb here?
Turkish uses nominal sentences. In the present tense for third person, there’s no overt “to be.” So Bu kurabiye bayat. is complete and means “This cookie is stale.” (For 1st/2nd person, you add endings: Ben yorgunum, Sen yorgunsun.)
Do I need to add the copular suffix -dır/-dir?
No. Bu kurabiye bayat. is the normal, neutral way. Adding it gives formality or an inference: Bu kurabiye bayattır. = “It must be stale / it’s surely stale.” Note the spelling with double t: bayattır, not “bayatdır.”
Why does the adjective come last? Can I front it?
In nominal sentences the predicate typically comes last. Bu kurabiye bayat. is neutral. You can front for emphasis: Bayat bu kurabiye. (emphasis on “stale”), but the neutral, most common order keeps bayat at the end.
How do I negate it?
Use değil: Bu kurabiye bayat değil. To soften: Pek taze değil, Biraz bayat.
How do I ask “Is this cookie stale?”
Use the question particle on the predicate: Bu kurabiye bayat mı? The clitic harmonizes (mı/mi/mu/mü). You can also front for emphasis: Bayat mı bu kurabiye?