Learn Hardcore Turkish: Öğleden sonra koltukta biraz kestirmek istiyorum. - I want to take a short nap on the couch in the afternoon.

In this sentence, kestirmek means “to take a short nap / doze off” (common and slightly informal).
It also has other meanings: “to have (something) cut” (causative of kesmek), e.g., Saçımı kestirdim = “I had my hair cut,” and “to estimate/guess” in some contexts.
The meaning is clear from context: no object + sleep context + biraz → “nap.”

Why is it “kestirmek istiyorum” with -mek? How does “istemek” work?

With istemek (to want), Turkish uses the dictionary/infinitive form -mek/-mak of the action verb: [verb]-mek/-mak + istiyorum.
Examples: gitmek istiyorum, yemek istiyorum, kestirmek istiyorum.

Can I say “kestirmeyi istiyorum”?

It’s grammatical but usually unnecessary. -meyi/-mayı turns the verb into a noun-like object and adds emphasis/contrast.
Use it for contrast: Uyanık kalmayı değil, kestirmeyi istiyorum. Otherwise prefer kestirmek istiyorum.

What does the -den in “öğleden sonra” do?

Sonra (after) and önce (before) take the ablative -den/-dan on the word they follow.
Patterns: öğleden sonra/önce, dersten sonra/önce, işten sonra/önce.

Does “öğleden sonra” mean “this afternoon” or “in the afternoon” in general?

In everyday speech, on its own it often means “this afternoon” (today).
To be explicit: Bugün öğleden sonra = this afternoon. For habitual meaning, context or plural helps: Öğleden sonraları (afternoons).

Why is it “koltukta” and not “koltukda”?

The locative is -da/-de/-ta/-te. After a voiceless consonant (p, ç, t, k, f, s, h, ş) it becomes -ta/-te.
Koltuk ends with voiceless k, so it’s koltukta. With a vowel/voiced consonant you’d see -da/-de (e.g., odada, evde).

Does “koltuk” mean “couch” or “armchair”? What about “sofa”?

Koltuk literally means “armchair,” but people often use it generically for a couch/sofa in daily speech.
Kanepe (also spelled kanape) is a more precise word for sofa.

How do I say “on my couch” or “on the couch in the living room”?

“On my couch”: koltuğumda (koltuk + -um [my] → koltuğum; then + -da). Note the softening k → ğ before a vowel.
“On the couch in the living room”: salondaki koltukta / salondaki kanepede.

Is the word order fixed? Can I move things around?

Neutral order is roughly Time → Place → Manner → Verb: Öğleden sonra koltukta biraz … istiyorum.
You can reorder for emphasis, but Turkish typically keeps the verb near the end in neutral style.

What’s the difference between “istiyorum” and “isterim”?

İstiyorum = “I want (now/at the moment)” — present continuous.
İsterim = aorist/simple present; used for general preferences or a polite/softer desire.
Example: Bir kahve isterim (I’d like a coffee) vs Kahve istiyorum (I want a coffee [now]).

How is “istiyorum” formed, and why does it end with -um?

iste- + -iyor + -um → istiyorum
- -iyor: present continuous (after a front vowel like e).
- -um: 1st person singular; it harmonizes with the preceding back vowel in yor, so it’s -um (not -im).

What does “biraz” contribute, and where should it go?

Biraz = “a little / a bit / for a short while,” softening the action: “take a little nap.”
Default placement is before the verb phrase: biraz kestirmek. You may also place it earlier (Öğleden sonra biraz…) or at the end in speech for emphasis.

Does -da/-de mean specifically “in,” “on,” or “at”?

The locative -da/-de/-ta/-te covers “in/on/at,” depending on the noun’s nature.
koltukta → “on the couch,” odada → “in the room,” işte → “at work.”

Any tips for pronouncing this sentence?

ö is a rounded front vowel (like German ö).
ğ in öğleden is not a hard g; it lengthens the preceding vowel: roughly “ö:leden.”
koltukta has a clear t (not d) due to the suffix.
Typical stress: öğleDEN soNRA koltukTA biRAZ kestiRMEK istiYOrum.

Is there a more polite/indirect way to say it?

Asking permission: Koltukta biraz kestirebilir miyim? (May I take a little nap on the couch?)
Softer statement: Öğleden sonra koltukta biraz kestirmeyi düşünüyorum. (I’m thinking of taking a little nap…)

Could I use “uyumak” instead of “kestirmek”?

Yes, but nuance shifts:
- Biraz uyumak istiyorum. = I want to sleep a bit (could be longer).
- Biraz kestirmek istiyorum. = I want to take a short nap/doze off.