Filmi baştan sona izledim.

I watched the film from start to finish.

Breakdown of Filmi baştan sona izledim.

• film: the film
• izlemek: to watch
• baştan sona: from start to finish

Questions & Answers about Filmi baştan sona izledim.

What does the -i on Filmi do?

It marks a definite direct object (accusative). With -i, you’re talking about a specific, known film.

• Filmi izledim. = I watched the film (the one we both know).
• Bir film izledim. = I watched a film (unspecified). Using the accusative on an indefinite object is generally not done; bir filmi implies a specific “one film (in particular).”

Could filmi also mean “his/her film”?

Yes, context decides. Filmi can mean either “the film” (accusative) or “his/her film” (3rd-person possessive). To disambiguate:

• “the film”: O filmi izledim. (I watched that film.)
• “his/her film”: Onun filmini izledim.

How is filmi formed? Why no buffer -y?

Accusative is -ı/-i/-u/-ü by vowel harmony. film ends with a consonant, so add the suffix directly: film + i → filmi. The buffer -y (as in arabayı) is only used when the noun ends in a vowel. More examples:

• kitap + ı → kitabı (p→b softening)
• okul + u → okulu
• gül + ü → gülü

What does baştan sona literally mean, and which cases are used?

Literally “from the beginning to the end.”

• baştan = baş (beginning) + ablative -DAn → devoiced after a voiceless consonant: -tan
• sona = son (end) + dative -A It’s a set phrase meaning “from beginning to end / all the way through.”

Is baştan sona kadar correct, or is kadar redundant?

It’s common and acceptable. Kadar means “until/up to” and adds emphasis, but baştan sona already conveys the idea. You’ll also hear baştan sonuna kadar (“from the beginning to its end”), which uses possessive marking on “end.”

Can I say başından sonuna kadar or en başından en sonuna kadar?

Yes. These explicitly mark possession (“its beginning/its end”) and are very natural when the referent (the film) is clear:

• Başından sonuna kadar izledim.
• En başından en sonuna kadar izledim.

Where can baştan sona go in the sentence? Are other orders okay?

Typical placement is before the verb. All are possible, with slight emphasis differences:

• Filmi baştan sona izledim. (neutral)
• Baştan sona filmi izledim. (focus on the span)
• Filmi izledim baştan sona. (afterthought/emphasis in speech; less formal)

Why is there no subject pronoun? How do I add it?

Turkish drops subject pronouns because they’re encoded on the verb. İzledim already means “I watched.” Add pronouns for emphasis:

• Ben filmi baştan sona izledim. (I, not someone else, watched it.)
• Filmi baştan sona ben izledim. (Strong focus on “I”.)

What tense/aspect is izledim? Could I use other forms?

İzledim = simple past, completed action. Other common options:

• İzliyorum = I’m watching (right now/these days)
• İzlemiştim = I had watched
• İzlemişim = apparently I watched / I (now realize I) watched (evidential/indirect)

How is izledim built? How do I make negatives and questions?

• izle- (watch) + -di (past) + -m (1sg) → izledim
• Negative: izle-me-di-m → izlemedim (I didn’t watch)
• Yes/no question: add the particle (separate word): izledim mi?; 2sg: izledin mi? The particle harmonizes: mı/mi/mu/mü.

Does izlemek mean the same as seyretmek or bakmak?

• izlemek and seyretmek both mean “to watch.” İzlemek is more general/modern; seyretmek can feel a bit more formal or old-fashioned in some regions, but both are fine: Filmi izledim/seyrettim.
• bakmak = to look (briefly/direct your eyes): Filme baktım ≈ “I looked at the film” (not “watched” it).
• görmek = to see (perceive).

How do I say “I watched a film from beginning to end”?

Use an indefinite object without accusative:

• Baştan sona bir film izledim. Placing bir after the adverbial is common. Bir filmi izledim implies “one particular film” (specific selection), not a generic “a film.”

Any pronunciation tips for this sentence?

• ş is “sh.” baştan = “bash-tan.”
• Many speakers say film as two syllables in casual speech: “fi-lim.” filmi is “fil-mi.”
• Dotted i (i/İ) and dotless ı (ı/I) are different sounds. izledim uses dotted i both times.

Do I ever write an apostrophe in filmi?

No. Apostrophes are only for proper names with suffixes: Titanic’i izledim. Common nouns take suffixes without an apostrophe: filmi, okulu, kitabı.