Learn Hardcore Turkish: Not alarak dinlemek, konuyu kalıcı hale getirir. - Listening while taking notes makes the topic stick.

It forms an adverbial participle meaning “by V‑ing / while V‑ing,” linking two actions with the same subject. So not alarak dinlemek = “to listen by taking notes.” The focus is on the manner of listening.

Is Not alarak dinlemek the same as Not alıp dinlemek?

Not quite.

-arak/-erek highlights manner/simultaneity: “listening by taking notes.”
-ıp/-ip/-up/-üp is more sequential/additive: “take notes and (then/and) listen.” Here, not alarak is the natural choice.

Why is konuyu in the accusative (-u)?

Because kalıcı hale getirmek is a transitive construction that takes a direct object, and here “the topic” is specific/known. Hence the definite object gets accusative: konu → konu-yu (buffer y + -u). Using bare konu would suggest a non-specific “a topic,” which is not the intended meaning.

What does kalıcı hale getirmek literally mean?

Breakdown:

kalıcı: “lasting/permanent” (from verb kal- “to stay” + -ıcı).
hal: “state/condition”; hale is the dative “to/into a state.”
getirmek: “to bring/make into.” So: “to make (something) into a permanent state.”

Can I replace kalıcı hale getirmek with a single verb?

Yes:

kalıcılaştırmak: “to make permanent.”
kalıcı kılmak: formal/literary “to render permanent.”
With a helper verb: konunun kalıcı olmasını sağlar (“helps make it permanent”). All are correct; …hale getirmek is very common and idiomatic.

Why is getirir (aorist) used instead of getiriyor?

The Turkish aorist (simple present) states general truths/habits. getirir = “(generally) makes.” getiriyor would describe an ongoing, specific situation right now, which is not the intent.

Is the comma after dinlemek necessary?

It’s optional. Turkish generally avoids a comma between subject and predicate, but writers often insert one when the subject is long/complex (like Not alarak dinlemek) to aid readability.

Why is Not capitalized?

Only because it starts the sentence. Elsewhere it’s lowercase: not.

Could I say Not tutarak instead of Not alarak?

Yes. not tutmak also means “to take notes” and is very common. not alarak and not tutarak are near-synonyms here.

What is the function of -mek in dinlemek?

-mek/-mak forms the infinitive/ verbal noun. dinlemek functions as the subject of the sentence: “Listening (by taking notes) …”

Do I need bir in kalıcı (bir) hale?

No. kalıcı hale is fine; adding bir (kalıcı bir hale) is also common and can sound a bit more natural or emphatic (“into a permanent state”). Both are correct.

What does the buffer -y- do in konuyu?

It prevents a vowel clash. konu ends with a vowel and the accusative is -u; insert -y-: konu + y + u → konuyu.

How does vowel harmony show up in alarak and kalıcı?

al- takes back-vowel -arak (not -erek) → alarak.
kal-
- -ıcı gives kalıcı (back-vowel variant of the suffix is -ıcı).

Is there a difference between …kalıcı hale getirir and …kalıcı yapar?

Both mean “makes (it) permanent.” …kalıcı hale getirir is more idiomatic/formal; …kalıcı yapar is simpler/colloquial. Another elegant option is …kalıcı kılar.

How would I say “listening without taking notes”?

Use -meden/-madan: Not almadan dinlemek (“listening without taking notes”).

Can I reorder the sentence?

The natural order is as given. Alternatives include:

No comma: Not alarak dinlemek konuyu kalıcı hale getirir.
Clefted for emphasis: Konuyu kalıcı hale getiren şey, not alarak dinlemektir. Other permutations (e.g., splitting the object and predicate oddly) sound unnatural.

Should I write kalıcı hâle with a circumflex?

Modern standard spelling is kalıcı hale. You may see hâl/hâle with a circumflex in careful writing to mark vowel length, but it’s not required by current norms.