Learn Hardcore Turkish: Parkta gezinti yapmak keyifli. - Taking a stroll in the park is pleasant.

It’s the locative suffix -DA (“in/at/on”). Because park ends with a voiceless consonant (k) and its last vowel is back (a), it becomes -ta: park + ta → parkta = “in the park.”

How do I choose between -da/-de and -ta/-te?

Two rules:

Vowel harmony (a/e): last vowel back (a, ı, o, u) → -da/-ta uses a; last vowel front (e, i, ö, ü) → -de/-te uses e.
Voicing (d/t): after a voiceless consonant (f, s, t, k, ç, ş, h, p), use t; otherwise use d.

Examples: parkta, okulda, evde, sokakta, şehirde, köyde.

Where is the verb “to be” in this sentence?

Turkish doesn’t use a separate “to be” in simple present equational sentences. Parkta gezinti yapmak keyifli literally “In the park taking a stroll enjoyable.” You can optionally add the formal/general copula -dır: keyiflidir.

What does gezinti yapmak literally mean, and why use yapmak?

It’s a light-verb construction: gezinti “a stroll/excursion” + yapmak “to do/make” → “to take a stroll.” Turkish often pairs nouns with yapmak to express activities. Gezinti etmek is not idiomatic.

Could I say Parkta gezmek keyifli or Parkta yürüyüş yapmak keyifli instead?

Yes:

gezmek = to wander/roam/visit (broader than a short stroll).
yürüyüş yapmak = to take a (purposeful/exercise) walk.
gezinti yapmak = a short, leisurely stroll. All are fine; choose based on nuance.

Why is it yapmak with -mak, not -ma here? Can I use -ma?

Both are possible:

-mak/-mek (infinitive) as subject: Parkta gezinti yapmak keyifli (very common).
-ma/-me (verbal noun) as subject: Parkta gezinti yapma keyifli (also correct, a bit more noun-like in feel). When you need case marking (e.g., as an object), you must use -ma/-me, not -mak/-mek.

How do I say “I like taking a stroll in the park”?

Use the verbal noun with accusative:

Parkta gezinti yapmayı seviyorum. You can also say:
Parkta gezmeyi seviyorum.
Parkta yürüyüş yapmayı seviyorum.

How do I negate “is enjoyable”?

Use değil with the predicate adjective:

Parkta gezinti yapmak keyifli değil. To intensify the negation: hiç keyifli değil or pek keyifli değil.

What exactly does keyifli mean, and how is it formed?

Keyif = “pleasure, good mood”; -li = “with/possessing.” So keyifli ≈ “pleasant/enjoyable” (of activities) or “in good spirits” (of people). Near-synonyms: hoş (pleasant), zevkli (enjoyable/tasteful), eğlenceli (fun).

Can keyifli describe a person’s mood?

Yes. O bugün keyifli = “They’re in a good mood today.” The opposite is keyifsiz. Another common expression is Keyfim yerinde (“I’m in good spirits”).

Do I need “the” or “a” in Turkish for parkta?

No articles. Parkta can mean “in a park” or “in the park,” depending on context. For specificity you can add demonstratives: o parkta (“in that park”), bu parkta (“in this park”), or bir parkta (“in a park”).

Is the word order fixed? Could I move parts around?

Default is topic-first and predicate-last: [Place] [Action (subject)] [Predicate] → Parkta gezinti yapmak keyifli. You can move elements for emphasis, e.g., Gezinti yapmak parkta keyifli, but the predicate adjective keyifli normally stays at the end.

How do I put this in the past or future?

Attach tense to the predicate adjective:

Past: Parkta gezinti yapmak keyifliydi.
Future: Parkta gezinti yapmak keyifli olacak. Note the buffer consonant y in keyifliydi.

How do I turn it into a yes/no question?

Add the question particle after the predicate:

Parkta gezinti yapmak keyifli mi? The particle obeys vowel harmony: mi/mı/mü/mu (here it’s mi after keyifli).

What’s the difference between the locative -da/-de/-ta/-te and the separate de/da meaning “also/too”?

Locative is a suffix written attached: parkta (“in the park”) and can become -ta/-te.
The clitic de/da “also/too” is a separate word, never te/ta: Parkta da gezinti yapmak keyifli = “It’s also enjoyable to take a stroll in the park.”