Güvenlik görevlisi bizi içeri aldı.

The security guard let us in.

Breakdown of Güvenlik görevlisi bizi içeri aldı.

• bizi: us
• güvenlik görevlisi: the security guard
• içeri almak: to let in

Questions & Answers about Güvenlik görevlisi bizi içeri aldı.

What does bizi indicate, and why not biz?

Bizi is the accusative form of biz (we), used for a definite direct object. In Turkish, personal pronouns used as direct objects almost always take the accusative.

• biz = we (subject)
• bizi = us (direct object, accusative)
• bize = to us (dative)
• bizden = from us (ablative)
• bizim = our (genitive)
• bizimle = with us (comitative)

Why is it içeri and not içeride or içeriye?

• içeri is a directional adverb (“inside(wards)”) used with motion verbs: içeri almak, içeri girmek, içeri koşmak.
• içeriye is the same direction with the dative suffix; it’s also fine here. Many speakers prefer the shorter içeri after motion verbs.
• içeride is locative (“inside, in there”) and would describe location, not movement, so it doesn’t fit this sentence.

Does içeri almak mean “to take inside” or “to let in”?

Both, depending on the object:

• With people at an entrance, içeri almak = “to admit/let (someone) in.”
• With things, it’s literal: “to take/bring (something) inside.” Here it clearly means “let us in.”

What is going on morphologically in güvenlik görevlisi?

It’s a noun–noun compound:

• güven (trust) + -lik → güvenlik (security)
• görev (duty) + -li → görevli (attendant, person on duty)
• Compound possessive: görevli + -si → görevlisi (“attendant of …”) Together: güvenlik görevlisi = “security guard/officer” (literally “security’s attendant”).

Why does görevli take -si (görevlisi)?

In Turkish noun compounds, the second noun takes a 3rd-person possessive suffix to mark the relationship: [Noun A] [Noun B + -sI]. So güvenlik görevlisi is the standard compound form; güvenlik görevli would be ungrammatical.

Could I just say güvenlik for “the security guard”?

Colloquially, yes. Güvenlik is often used to refer to “security (staff/the guard)” as a shorthand. More formal variants: güvenlik görevlisi, güvenlik memuru. For private security, you may see özel güvenlik görevlisi.

Can I say bir güvenlik görevlisi? What’s the difference?

Yes. Bir güvenlik görevlisi = “a security guard,” introducing a new, indefinite referent. Without bir, initial subjects are typically definite or contextually known: Güvenlik görevlisi bizi içeri aldı implies “the security guard” (the one we have in mind).

What tense/aspect is aldı, and could I use almış?

• aldı is the simple past (-DI past): completed action, usually with direct knowledge.
• almış is the inferential/hearsay past (-mIş): “apparently/it seems (s/he) let (us) in.” You’d use almış if you’re reporting what you heard or inferred, not what you witnessed.

Why not alındı? How do I say “We were let in”?

alındı is passive: “(someone) was taken/let in.” To say “We were let in,” use the passive with agreement:

• Biz içeri alındık. Negation: Biz içeri alınmadık.

If there were multiple guards, how does the sentence change?

Make the subject plural:

• Güvenlik görevlileri bizi içeri aldı/aldılar. With human plural subjects, both singular and plural verb agreement occur, but aldılar (plural) is common in speech.

Can I move parts around for emphasis?

Yes—Turkish word order is flexible, with the focused element placed just before the verb. Some natural variants:

• Güvenlik görevlisi bizi içeri aldı. (neutral)
• Bizi içeri aldı (güvenlik görevlisi). (focus on “us”)
• Bizi güvenlik görevlisi içeri aldı. (focus on “the security guard”) Keep the verb final; avoid unusual shuffles unless for clear emphasis.

Is bize ever correct here? I keep mixing up bizi and bize.

Here, no. bizi is required because it’s a direct object of almak. bize (dative “to us”) would be used with verbs that take an indirect object (e.g., bize verdi = “gave to us”), not with içeri almak.

Is içeriye also acceptable in this exact sentence?

Yes: Güvenlik görevlisi bizi içeriye aldı is acceptable. Many speakers prefer içeri with motion verbs, but içeriye is not wrong and can sound a bit more explicit or formal about direction.

How would I make a polite request based on this phrase?

Common options:

• Bizi içeri alır mısınız? (Would you let us in?)
• İçeri girebilir miyiz? (May/can we come in?)

Any pronunciation tips for the tricky vowels/consonants here?

• ö in güvenlik/görevlisi: rounded front vowel (like German “ö”).
• ç in içeri: “ch” in “church.”
• ı (dotless i) in aldı: back unrounded vowel, like a relaxed “uh.”
• Word stress is typically on the last syllable of each word: gü-ven-LİK, gö-rev-Lİ-si, i-çe-Rİ, al-DI.

Is almak irregular? How do other forms look?

It’s regular. Vowel harmony and consonant devoicing apply as usual:

• Present continuous: alıyor
• Aorist (habitual): alır
• Future: alacak
• Negative past: almadı
• Question past: aldı mı?

Are there related “inside” forms I should know?

Yes, useful set:

• içeri = inside(wards), directional adverb
• içeriye = to the inside (direction, dative)
• içeride = inside (location, locative)
• içeriden = from inside (ablative)
• içerisi = the inside/interior (as a noun: “the inside is cold” → İçerisi soğuk)

How else could I express “let us in” without almak?

• İçeri girmemize izin verdi. (He/she allowed us to enter.)
• More forceful/colloquial: İçeri soktu. (He/she pushed/shoved us in.) This has a rougher tone than içeri aldı.