Ekmek bayat, fırında biraz ısıtalım.

to be

Breakdown of Ekmek bayat, fırında biraz ısıtalım.

• ekmek: the bread
• biraz: a bit
• -da: in

Questions & Answers about Ekmek bayat, fırında biraz ısıtalım.

Why is there no word for “is” in “Ekmek bayat”?

Turkish often drops a present-tense “to be” in nominal sentences. “Ekmek bayat” literally reads “Bread stale,” which corresponds to “The bread is stale.” A copular ending like -dır is optional and usually not used here.

What exactly does “bayat” mean?

It means “stale; not fresh anymore,” especially for bread and pastries. For spoiled foods like milk or meat, Turkish prefers “bozuk/bozulmuş.” Figuratively, “bayat” also means “hackneyed/overused,” as in “bayat espri” (a stale joke).

Could I say “Ekmek bayattır”?

Grammatically yes, but it sounds like a generic truth or a firm assertion, not a here-and-now observation. For this context, plain “Ekmek bayat” is the natural choice.

What does the ending in “ısıtalım” express?

“-alım/-elim” is the 1st person plural hortative/imperative: “let’s ….” “Isıtalım” = “let’s heat (it).” The subject “biz” (we) is understood from the verb ending, so it isn’t said.

Why “ısıtalım” and not “ısınalım”?

“Isıtmak” is transitive (“to heat something”), while “ısınmak” is intransitive (“to get warm”). “Isınalım” would mean “let’s warm ourselves.” You could also say “Ekmek ısınsın” (“let the bread warm up”) if you want the bread as the subject.

What does “biraz” do here?