Breakdown of Pilavı kısık ateşte pişiriyorum.
ben
I
pişirmek
to cook
-te
on
pilav
the rice
kısık
low
ateş
the heat
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Questions & Answers about Pilavı kısık ateşte pişiriyorum.
What does the -ı in Pilavı do? Why not just pilav?
The suffix -ı is the accusative case, marking a definite/specific direct object. Pilavı = the (specific) rice/pilaf. Without it, pilav pişiriyorum means I’m cooking rice (some rice), indefinite/unspecified. Use the accusative when the object is known, specific, or previously mentioned.
Why is it pişiriyorum and not pişiyorum?
There are two verbs: pişmek (to be cooked) and pişirmek (to cook, transitive). Pişiyorum would mean I am being cooked. To say you are cooking something, you need the transitive verb: pişiriyorum.
What exactly does -iyor express in pişiriyorum?
It’s the present continuous: doing something now or around now. It can also be used for near-future plans depending on context (e.g., later today). Form: verb stem + -(I)yor + personal ending. Here: pişir- + -iyor + -um.
What does kısık ateşte mean and how is it formed?
It’s a set phrase meaning on low heat. kısık = turned down/low, ateş = fire/heat, -te is the locative case meaning at/on. So ateşte = on the heat; kısık ateşte = on low heat.
Why is it ateş-te and not ateş-de?
With the locative, -de/-da becomes -te/-ta after a voiceless consonant (ç, f, h, k, p, s, ş, t). Since ateş ends in voiceless ş, you use -te: ateşte.
Can I say düşük ateşte instead of kısık ateşte?
People will understand düşük ateşte, but the most idiomatic cooking collocation is kısık ateşte. Other useful ones: orta ateşte (medium heat), yüksek ateşte (high heat), and more generally düşük ısıda (at low temperature).
What’s the difference between pilav and pirinç?
Pilav is the cooked rice dish (pilaf). Pirinç is the raw grain. So you typically pilav pişirmek (cook pilaf) but pirinci haşlamak/pişirmek (to boil/cook the rice grains).
Is the word order fixed? Could I say Kısık ateşte pilavı pişiriyorum?
Turkish word order is flexible (default SOV), and the element right before the verb is in focus. Both are fine:
- Pilavı kısık ateşte pişiriyorum (focus on the manner: on low heat)
- Kısık ateşte pilavı pişiriyorum (slightly more topical adverbial, focus may shift toward the object)
Can I put the object after the verb, like Pişiriyorum pilavı?
That order is marked/unusual in neutral speech. Direct objects normally come before the verb. Post-verbal objects occur in special pragmatic contexts (e.g., afterthoughts or certain emphases), but avoid this as a beginner.
How would I emphasize that it’s me (not someone else) who is cooking it?
Use the subject pronoun and place it in focus: Pilavı kısık ateşte ben pişiriyorum. You can also front it: Ben pilavı kısık ateşte pişiriyorum, which adds subject emphasis.
How do I ask a yes/no question about the heat: Are you cooking it on low heat?
Attach the question particle to the focused element:
- Manner focus: Pilavı kısık ateşte mi pişiriyorsun?
- Object focus: Pilavı mı kısık ateşte pişiriyorsun? The particle agrees by vowel harmony: mi/mı/mü/mu.
How do I make it negative?
Insert the negative -ma/-me before -(I)yor: Pilavı kısık ateşte pişirmiyorum.
How do I say it as a habit rather than right now?
Use the simple present (aorist): Pilavı genelde kısık ateşte pişiririm. This expresses a general habit or routine.
Can I drop Ben? How do I know it’s I?
Yes. Turkish is pro-drop. The personal ending on the verb (-um in pişiriyorum) shows the subject. Use Ben mainly for emphasis or contrast.
How do I pronounce the dotless ı in pilavı and kısık?
It’s a close, back, unrounded vowel, somewhat like a quick, relaxed “uh” but further back in the mouth. Practice: pı-LA-vı, kı-SIK. It’s different from dotted i.