Learn Hardcore Turkish: Bizim raporu bugün tamamlamamız gerekiyor mu?

It’s a verbal noun with a possessive: tamamla- (to complete) + -ma (verbal noun) + -mız (our). So tamamlamamız literally means our completing/finishing, which serves as the subject of gerekiyor.

Why is it bizim and not biz?

In nominalized clauses, the logical subject appears in the genitive: bizim. It pairs with the possessive on the verbal noun (-mız in tamamlamamız). With a finite verb, you’d use nominative biz, e.g., Bugün raporu tamamlayacak mıyız?

Can I omit bizim?

Yes. Raporu bugün tamamlamamız gerekiyor mu? is fully grammatical. The suffix -mız already marks “we.” Keep bizim if you want emphasis or to avoid ambiguity.

Why is it raporu (accusative) and not rapor?

Because the object is specific/definite. In Turkish, specific direct objects take accusative: raporu. If it’s indefinite, you don’t use accusative: Bugün bir rapor tamamlamamız gerekiyor mu? (Do we need to finish a report today?)

What exactly does gerekiyor do here?

It’s the present-continuous of gerekmek (to be necessary). The pattern is: [verbal noun + possessive] + gerekiyor = “it is necessary for X to do Y.” So: (Bizim) raporu bugün tamamlamamız gerekiyor = “It’s necessary that we finish the report today.”

Where does the question particle go, and why is it mu?

The yes/no particle attaches to the predicate by default and follows vowel harmony with the preceding word: gerekiyor ends with the vowel o, so it becomes mu: gerekiyor mu? You can move it for focus:

Bugün mü raporu tamamlamamız gerekiyor? (Is it today that we need to…?)
Raporu mu bugün tamamlamamız gerekiyor? (Is it the report that we need to…?)
Bizim raporu bugün tamamlamamız mı gerekiyor? (Is it our finishing that’s required?)

Is the word order fixed?

No. Common and natural orders include:

Bugün raporu tamamlamamız gerekiyor mu? (neutral)
Raporu bugün bizim tamamlamamız mı gerekiyor? (emphasis on “we”)
Bizim raporu bugün tamamlamamız mı gerekiyor? (emphasis on “our finishing”) Turkish allows flexible order to mark topic/focus, but keep the internal logic of the clause intact.

How does this differ from using -malı/-meli?

Bugün raporu tamamlamalı mıyız? suggests obligation/advice (what we should do).
… tamamlamamız gerekiyor mu? frames it as a necessity (a requirement/need). Both can overlap in meaning, but gerekiyor leans toward an external or objective necessity.

Can I say Biz bugün raporu tamamlamak zorunda mıyız? instead?

Yes. … zorunda olmak expresses a stronger, compulsory obligation: “Are we obliged/forced to…?” It’s often stronger than gerekiyor.

Does Bizim raporu mean “our report”?

No. Bizim belongs to tamamlamamız (our finishing), not to raporu. To say “our report” as the object, you must mark possession on the noun: bizim raporumuzu (e.g., Bizim raporumuzu bugün tamamlamamız gerekiyor mu?).

How do I negate this?

Simple negation: Bugün raporu tamamlamamız gerekmiyor. (We don’t need to finish it today.)
As a question: Bugün raporu tamamlamamız gerekmiyor mu? (Don’t we need to finish it today?)
With the “gerek var/yok” pattern (dative): Bugün raporu tamamlamamıza gerek yok. / … gerek var mı?

Can I avoid specifying “we” with a passive?

Yes. Raporun bugün tamamlanması gerekiyor mu? = “Does the report need to be finished today?” This focuses on the report, not on who finishes it.

Is the -ma in tamamlamamız a negation?

No. Here -ma is the verbal-noun marker. Negation would be separate: tamamlamamamız = “our not finishing.” So:

tamamlamamız: our finishing
tamamlamamamız: our not finishing

Can I use bitirmek instead of tamamlamak?

Yes. Bugün raporu bitirmemiz gerekiyor mu? is natural. Bitirmek and tamamlamak often overlap; tamamlamak can feel a bit more like “complete/bring to completion,” while bitirmek is the everyday “finish.”

What’s the difference between gerekiyor and gerekir?

Gerekiyor (present-continuous) asks about a current/near-term requirement: … gerekiyor mu?
Gerekir (aorist) is more general or formal: Bugün raporu tamamlamamız gerekir mi? (Is it required/Would it be required that…?)