Breakdown of Kestirme yoldan gidiyoruz; trafik yok.
trafik
the traffic
yok
to not exist
kestirme yoldan gitmek
to take a shortcut
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Questions & Answers about Kestirme yoldan gidiyoruz; trafik yok.
What exactly does the word kestirme mean here?
kestirme means shortcut/short way. It can function as a noun or as an adjective modifying yol (road), as in kestirme yol (shortcut route). It ultimately comes from the root kes- (to cut), and the idea is “cutting across” to make the route shorter.
Why is it yoldan and not yolda or yola?
- yoldan (ablative -dan/-den) often means via/by/along a route. So kestirme yoldan gitmek = to go via the shortcut route.
- yolda (locative -da/-de) means on/at the road: kestirme yolda = on the shortcut road (location).
- yola (dative -a/-e) means to/toward the road: kestirme yola gidiyoruz = we’re going to the shortcut road (destination).
In this sentence you’re talking about the route you’re taking, so ablative -dan is the natural choice.
Can I just say kestirmeden gidiyoruz?
Yes. kestirmeden is an adverb meaning by taking a shortcut/cutting across. Both kestirme yoldan gidiyoruz and kestirmeden gidiyoruz are idiomatic.
Is kısayoldan a good synonym for kestirme yoldan?
Yes. kısayoldan gidiyoruz is also common and means the same thing. You’ll also see kısa yoldan (two words). Note that kısayol is also the standard word for a computer/keyboard shortcut.
How is gidiyoruz formed, and what does it imply?
- Stem: git- (to go)
- Present continuous: -iyor (with vowel harmony → -iyor here)
- 1st person plural: -uz
- Voicing: t → d before a vowel, so git- + -iyor → gidiyor-
Result: gidiyoruz = we are going. It’s the present continuous, typically “in progress now,” but in context it can also mean a near-future plan (We’re going [later today]).
Why isn’t the subject biz used?
Turkish verb endings encode the subject, so gidiyoruz already tells you it’s we. You add biz for emphasis or contrast: Biz gidiyoruz = We (as opposed to others) are going.
Could I use gideriz instead of gidiyoruz?
gideriz (simple present) is habitual or general: we (usually) go, we’d go, we might go. gidiyoruz (present continuous) is happening now or arranged/decided around now. Choose based on meaning.
What does trafik yok literally mean? Why not trafik değil?
trafik yok literally means there is no traffic. Turkish uses the existential pair var (there is/are) and yok (there isn’t/aren’t). You don’t use değil to negate existence.
- Correct: trafik var / trafik yok
- Not used for existence: trafik değil
Is it okay to say trafik yoktur?
Grammatically yes; -dır/-dir adds formality, definiteness, or a matter‑of‑fact tone. Trafik yoktur can sound formal or emphatic (e.g., in a rule, sign, or a confident assertion). In everyday speech, trafik yok is more natural.
Why a semicolon? Could I use a period or a connector?
The semicolon links two closely related sentences. You could write:
- Kestirme yoldan gidiyoruz. Trafik yok.
- Kestirme yoldan gidiyoruz çünkü trafik yok. (because)
- Trafik yok, bu yüzden kestirme yoldan gidiyoruz. (therefore) All are fine; choose based on the relation you want to express.
Can I change the word order, e.g., Gidiyoruz kestirme yoldan?
Yes, Turkish allows flexible word order for emphasis. Kestirme yoldan gidiyoruz is neutral; Gidiyoruz kestirme yoldan puts slight focus on the verb (we are indeed going) and leaves the route to the end. For trafik yok, that order is fairly fixed (subject + existential predicate), so yok trafik is not natural in standard usage.
Why no article like “the” in kestirme yoldan?
Turkish has no articles like a/the. Definiteness is inferred from context or shown by case marking on direct objects. Here kestirme yoldan can mean via the shortcut (contextually specific) or via a shortcut (non‑specific), depending on what the speakers have in mind.
Can I make it a suggestion like “Let’s take the shortcut; there’s no traffic”?
Yes: Kestirme yoldan gidelim; trafik yok. The suffix -elim/-alım makes a first‑person plural suggestion/request (let’s...).
How would I ask “Is there no traffic?” or “Is there traffic?” in this pattern?
- Trafik yok mu? = Is there no traffic?
- Trafik var mı? = Is there traffic?
Note the question particle mi/ mı/ mu/ mü written separately and harmonized.
What if I want to localize it, like “There’s no traffic on the road”?
Add a locative phrase: Yolda trafik yok (On the road, there’s no traffic). More specific: Bu yolda trafik yok (On this road...), Otobanda trafik yok (On the highway, there’s no traffic).