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Questions & Answers about Ben bugün tişört giyiyorum.
Do I have to say Ben, or can I drop it?
You can drop it. The verb ending in giyiyorum already shows the subject is “I.” Use Ben only for emphasis or contrast (e.g., “I (not someone else) am wearing…”): Bugün tişört giyiyorum is the most natural everyday version.
Why is there no “a” before T-shirt? Shouldn’t it be “a T-shirt”?
Turkish doesn’t require an article for an indefinite object. Bare singular is normal: tişört giyiyorum. You can add bir to mean “one/a,” but it often adds a nuance of counting or emphasis rather than being obligatory.
Why isn’t tişört marked with the accusative -i/-ı (tişörtü)?
Accusative is used for specific/definite objects. Tişört giyiyorum = “I’m wearing/putting on a T-shirt (not a specific one).” Tişörtü giyiyorum = “I’m putting on/wearing the T-shirt” (a particular one you both know about).
Does giyiyorum mean “I am wearing” or “I am putting on”?
In everyday speech, it can mean both. In strict terms:
- Action (putting on now): Tişört giyiyorum.
- State (what I have on): many speakers also say Tişört giyiyorum, but a very clear “state” phrasing is Üstümde/Üzerimde tişört var (“There is a T‑shirt on me”).
What’s the difference between giymek, giyinmek, and takmak?
- giymek: to wear/put on clothing (takes a direct object): tişört giymek.
- giyinmek: to get dressed (no object): giyiniyorum = “I’m getting dressed.”
- takmak: to wear/put on accessories (watch, earrings, glasses): gözlük takmak.
How is giyiyorum formed?
- Verb stem: giy- (from giymek)
- Progressive: -(I)yor → here -iyor (vowel harmony)
- Person: -um (1st singular) So: giy-iyor-um → giyiyorum. The double “y” you see is normal.
Why -iyor and not -ıyor/-uyor/-üyor?
Vowel harmony: the last vowel of the stem (i in giy-) is front and unrounded, so the progressive chooses -iyor. Examples: beklemek → bekliyorum, yazmak → yazıyorum, uyumak → uyuyorum.
Can I say Bugün bir tişört giyiyorum?
Yes, but it often sounds like “I’m putting on one (a) T-shirt (as opposed to, say, a shirt or two layers),” adding a bit of counting/emphasis. For a neutral “I’m wearing a T-shirt today,” the bare tişört is most common.
How do I say it in the habitual sense, “I wear T-shirts (in general)”?
Use the aorist: Tişört giyerim. The aorist (-er/-ar) expresses habits and general truths.
Should I ever use the plural tişörtler here?
Not for an indefinite, generic object. Turkish prefers bare singular for indefinites: Tişört giyerim (“I wear T-shirts”). Plural is used when specific or when you really mean multiple items: Tişörtleri giyiyorum = “I am wearing the T-shirts” (those specific ones).
Where can I place bugün and ben? Is the word order flexible?
Yes. Neutral, unmarked options include:
- Bugün tişört giyiyorum.
- Ben bugün tişört giyiyorum. (emphasis on “I”)
- Bugün ben tişört giyiyorum. (extra emphasis on “today” or “I” depending on context) The object normally stays before the verb.
How do I make it negative or ask a question?
- Negative: Bugün tişört giymiyorum.
- Yes/no question (2nd person): Bugün tişört giyiyor musun? Note the separate question particle mi/mi̇/ mı/mü and vowel harmony: giyiyor musun?
Pronunciation tips for tişört giyiyorum?
- ş = “sh” (English “shoe”).
- ö = front rounded vowel, like German ö or French eu in “bleu.”
- i vs ı: dotted i (as in machine), undotted ı (a back, central vowel—no exact English equivalent).
- In -iyor, the -yor part is light; primary stress falls right before -yor: giYIyorum. In bugün, stress is on the second syllable: buGÜN.
Is bugün one word? I’ve seen bu gün.
Use bugün as one word in modern standard Turkish. Bu gün is archaic or nonstandard.
How do I clearly say “I’m wearing a T-shirt” (state), not “putting on”?
Common and fine: Tişört giyiyorum. For an unmistakable “state” sentence, say Üstümde/Üzerimde tişört var or Tişörtüm var üstümde (“I have a T‑shirt on”).