Learn Hardcore Turkish: Spor yaparken omzum ağrıyor. - My shoulder hurts while exercising.

"okurken" (while reading)
"koşarken" (while running) It can also attach to tense/aspect forms for nuance: "yapıyorken" (while in the middle of doing), "yapmışken" (since/when one has already done), "yapacakken" (just when one was about to do).

Why is it "omzum" and not "omuzum"?

This is vowel loss (ünlü düşmesi). With some common nouns, the high vowel in the last syllable drops before a vowel-initial suffix:

"omuz" + -(u)m → "omzum" (my shoulder) Other frequent examples:
"ağız" → "ağzım" (my mouth)
"burun" → "burnum" (my nose)
"boyun" → "boynum" (my neck)
"karın" → "karnım" (my belly)
"göğüs" → "göğsüm" (my chest) You will also hear "omuzum"; it’s acceptable, but "omzum" is very common and often sounds more natural.

Why is the verb third person singular ("ağrıyor") even though it’s "my shoulder"?

Verbs agree with the grammatical subject, not with the possessor. The subject is "shoulder" (3rd person), so you use 3rd person singular: "omzum ağrıyor." Forms like "omzum ağrıyorum" are ungrammatical.

Do I need to say "benim omzum"?

No. The possessive ending in "omzum" already means "my shoulder." Add "benim" only for emphasis/contrast: "Benim omzum ağrıyor" = It’s my shoulder (not someone else’s) that hurts.

Who is understood to be doing the sport in "Spor yaparken"?

When a -ken clause has no subject stated, the subject is inferred from context. Here, it’s naturally "I" (the speaker), because you’re talking about your own body. If needed, make it explicit:

"Ben spor yaparken omzum ağrıyor." (When I exercise, my shoulder hurts.)
"O spor yaparken omzu ağrıyor." (When he/she exercises, his/her shoulder hurts.)

Can I say "yapıyorken" instead of "yaparken"?

Yes. "Yapıyorken" highlights being in the middle of the action at that moment. "Yaparken" is more general and more common. In everyday speech, both are fine; choose "yapıyorken" if you want to stress "right while doing."

What’s the difference between "Spor yaparken" and "Spor yapınca"?

"-ken" = while/as (simultaneous with the activity).
"-ınca/-ince" = when/whenever/once (event or trigger). So "Spor yaparken omzum ağrıyor" focuses on pain during exercise; "Spor yapınca omzum ağrıyor" suggests that whenever you exercise, it (then) hurts.

Could I use the aorist "ağrır" instead of "ağrıyor"?

Yes, with a nuance change:

"…ağrır" = habitual/generic tendency (sounds like a general rule).
"…ağrıyor" = ongoing/current (nowadays/these days/at the moment). "…ağrır" is more formal/bookish in casual conversation.

Can I change the word order to "Omzum spor yaparken ağrıyor"?

Yes. Both are grammatical. Fronting "Spor yaparken…" sets the scene first (During exercise…), while "Omzum spor yaparken ağrıyor" foregrounds the subject (My shoulder…). Turkish word order is flexible for information structure.

How do I say it about both shoulders?

Use the plural possessed form: "Omuzlarım ağrıyor." The verb still stays singular ("ağrıyor"), because non-human plural subjects typically take a 3rd person singular verb in Turkish.

How do I pronounce "ağrıyor" and "omzum"?

"ağrıyor": Turkish "ğ" doesn’t make a separate sound; it lengthens/smooths the preceding vowel. Think "aa-rı-yor" (three syllables). "ı" is the close back unrounded vowel (no English equivalent). "r" is tapped.
"omzum": two syllables "om-zum." The "z" and "m" meet across the syllable boundary.
"spor": stress is typically on the last syllable in Turkish: spoR.

Is "spor yapmak" the natural way to say "to exercise"?

Yes, very common. Alternatives:

"egzersiz yapmak" (exercise; slightly more formal/technical)
"antrenman yapmak" (to train/work out, often for athletes)

Could I say "Spor sırasında omzum ağrıyor"?

Yes. "Spor sırasında" means "during (the) exercise." It’s a bit more formal or written-sounding than "spor yaparken," but perfectly correct.

Why not say "Omzumda ağrı var" instead?

You can. "Omzumda ağrı var" = "There is pain in my shoulder." "Omzum ağrıyor" = "My shoulder hurts." Both are natural; the first names the existence of pain, the second describes the shoulder as experiencing pain.

How do I negate it or ask a question?

Negative: "Spor yaparken omzum ağrımıyor." (The negative is "ağrı-m-ıyor".)
Yes–no question: "Spor yaparken omzum ağrıyor mu?" (Question particle "mu" is separate and vowel-harmonizes: mu/mü/mı/mi.)

What’s the difference between "ağrımak" and "acımak"?

Both can mean "to hurt," but they’re used a bit differently:

"ağrımak": aching, internal or deeper pain (head, back, stomach, teeth, joints).
- "Başım/dişim/sırtım ağrıyor."
"acımak": stinging/smarting/surface pain; also "to feel pity" in another sense.
- "Kesik parmağım acıyor." / "Gözlerim acıyor." (stinging) For most "ache" complaints, "ağrımak" is the default.