Tezgâh temiz, ben sebzeleri burada kesiyorum.

The counter is clean, I am cutting the vegetables here.

Breakdown of Tezgâh temiz, ben sebzeleri burada kesiyorum.

• olmak: to be
• burada: here
• ben: I
• sebze: the vegetable

Questions & Answers about Tezgâh temiz, ben sebzeleri burada kesiyorum.

Why is there no word for “is” in Tezgâh temiz?

Turkish often drops the present-tense copula in third-person nominal sentences. So Tezgâh temiz literally “Counter clean” means “The counter is clean.”

• You can add the formal/generalizing copula: Tezgâh temizdir (more bookish, neutral-fact tone).
• In past/future you do use copular endings: Tezgâh temizdi (was clean), Tezgâh temiz olacak (will be clean).
• In 1st/2nd person, you attach personal endings: Ben temizim, Sen temizsin.

What exactly does the ending in sebzeleri mean?

It’s two endings: plural + definite object (accusative).

• Breakdown: sebze-ler-i = vegetable + plural + definite object.
• The -i marks a specific/definite direct object (“the vegetables”).
• Without -i, it’s indefinite (“vegetables” in general): sebze(ler) as object (usually just sebze).

How would I say “I cut vegetables here” (not a specific set) vs “I cut the vegetables here”?

• Indefinite/general vegetables (habit or job):
  • Habitual: Burada sebze keserim.
  • Right now/in progress: Burada sebze kesiyorum.
• Definite/specific vegetables (the ones we have in mind):
  • Habitual: Burada sebzeleri keserim.
  • Right now/in progress: Burada sebzeleri kesiyorum. Using -i (accusative) on the object signals that it’s specific/definite.

Why do we have in ?