Kısayol kullanmak bize zaman kazandırır.

Using a shortcut saves us time.

Breakdown of Kısayol kullanmak bize zaman kazandırır.

• kullanmak: to use
• bize: us
• zaman kazandırmak: to save time
• kısayol: the shortcut

Questions & Answers about Kısayol kullanmak bize zaman kazandırır.

What does each word mean, and what is the literal structure of the sentence?

• Kısayol = shortcut (compound of kısa “short” + yol “road”)
• kullanmak = to use (infinitive; verbal noun)
• bize = to us (dative case of biz “we”)
• zaman = time
• kazandırır = makes [someone] gain, causes [someone] to save (root kazan- “gain/win” + causative -dır-
  • aorist -ır; 3rd person singular)

Literal mapping: Using-a-shortcut to-us time causes-to-gain.

Why is the infinitive kullanmak used as the subject? Could it be kullanma instead?

Turkish often uses the infinitive -mak/-mek as a subject to talk about actions in general: Kısayol kullanmak …. The verbal noun -ma/-me also works and sounds slightly more “nouny”: Kısayol kullanma bize zaman kazandırır. Another formal option is a derived noun: Kısayol kullanımı “the use of a shortcut.”

Why is the verb in the aorist kazandırır instead of the progressive kazandırıyor?

The aorist -r expresses general truths/habits. Kısayol kullanmak bize zaman kazandırır states a general fact. Kazandırıyor (progressive) would be “is saving” in a specific or ongoing context: … bize zaman kazandırıyor (these days/right now).

Why is it bize and not bizim için?

bize (dative) is the normal indirect object with kazandırmak: X, Y’ye Z kazandırır (X gives Z to Y). bizim için means “for our sake/purpose,” which doesn’t fit as naturally here. Prefer bize zaman kazandırır.

Why does zaman have no ending? Why not zamanı?

Indefinite direct objects are bare in Turkish: zaman kazandırır = “saves time (in general).” Use zamanı only if it’s specific/definite: Dün kaybettiğimiz zamanı bize geri kazandırır = “gives us back the time we lost yesterday.”

Is zamandan kazandırır also correct?

Yes. You’ll hear both:

• bize zaman kazandırır (direct object)
• bize zamandan kazandırır (ablative), echoing zamandan kazanmak “to save time” Both mean “saves us time.” The first is neutral; the second mirrors the set idiom.

Can I move the words around? What about emphasis?

Default order is Subject – Indirect Object – Direct Object – Verb: Kısayol kullanmak bize zaman kazandırır. You can front elements for emphasis:

• Bize zaman kazandırır kısayol kullanmak. (emphasizes “to us”)
• Kısayol kullanmak bize zaman kazandırır. (neutral, most natural) Keep the verb typically last.

Is kısayol one word or two?

Write the compound as one word: kısayol when you mean “shortcut.” As two words (kısa yol) it usually keeps the literal sense “a short road.”

Why not plural kısayollar?

For generic statements Turkish prefers a singular bare noun: Kısayol kullanmak … = “Using shortcuts (as a practice)…”. Kısayollar kullanmak … is possible to stress variety, but the singular is more idiomatic.

Why not kısayolu kullanmak?

kısayolu (accusative) makes it definite: “the shortcut.” Since this is a general statement, use the bare noun: kısayol kullanmak.

What exactly is in kazandırır morphologically?

• Root: kazan- “gain, win”
• Causative: -dır- → kazandır- “make [someone] gain”
• Aorist: -ır (3rd person singular) → kazandırır “(it) makes [someone] gain / saves”

How do I negate it or change the tense?

• Negation (aorist): kazandırmaz = does not save
• Progressive: kazandırıyor = is saving
• Future: kazandıracak = will save
• Habitual past: kazandırırdı = used to/would save

How do I say “saves us a lot of time”?

Add a quantity before the object:

• bize çok zaman kazandırır
• bize epey/bir sürü zaman kazandırır Don’t say çok zamanı unless referring to a specific, known amount of time.

Any pronunciation tips (especially for ı)?

• ı (dotless i) in kısayol is a back, unrounded vowel with no exact English equivalent. Keep the tongue back, lips unrounded.
• Typical word stress is on the last syllable: kısayol, kullanmak, zaman, kazandırır.

Are there common synonyms or alternative ways to say this?

• Kısayol kullanmak bize zamandan tasarruf sağlar.
• Kısayol kullanımı bize zaman kazandırır.
• For physical routes: Kestirme yoldan gitmek bize zaman kazandırır.

How do I say “Using keyboard shortcuts saves us time”?

• Klavye kısayolu kullanmak bize zaman kazandırır. (singular generic)
• Klavye kısayolları kullanmak bize zaman kazandırır. (plural generic) Avoid accusative unless definite: Klavye kısayollarını kullanmak = using the specific keyboard shortcuts.

Can I drop bize?

Yes. Kısayol kullanmak zaman kazandırır = “Using shortcuts saves time.” Include bize only if you want to specify the beneficiary.

How do I make it a yes/no question?

Use the question particle after the verb: Kısayol kullanmak bize zaman kazandırır mı? (The particle is written separately and harmonizes: mı/mi/mu/mü.)

Why is the verb 3rd person singular? Could it be plural?

The subject kısayol kullanmak (the act of using a shortcut) is singular, so kazandırır (3rd singular) is correct. With a plural noun subject you can use either singular or plural agreement (singular is more common): Kısayollar bize zaman kazandırır/kazandırırlar.