Learn Hardcore Turkish: Teknisyen ölçü alıyor, sonra cihazı yerleştiriyor. - The technician is taking measurements, then placing the device.

al-ıyor: the last vowel in the stem is back unrounded (a), so it takes -ıyor.
yerleştir-iyor: the last vowel is front unrounded (i), so it takes -iyor.

It typically means “is doing (now/around now),” but it can also narrate a procedure or sequence happening in the present.

Why is cihazı marked with -ı but ölçü has no ending?

In Turkish, a direct object is marked with the accusative only if it’s definite/specific.

cihaz-ı = the device (definite object)
ölçü alıyor = takes measurements (indefinite, non-specific), so no accusative.

If you mean a specific measurement or specific measurements, you’d mark them:

ölçüyü alıyor = takes the (specific) measurement
ölçüleri alıyor = takes the (specific) measurements

Could I say ölçüyor instead of ölçü alıyor?

Sometimes, but they’re not interchangeable in all contexts.

ölçmek means “to measure (something).” It normally needs an explicit object: sıcaklığı ölçüyor (he measures the temperature).
ölçü almak is an idiomatic expression meaning “to take measurements” (as a step in a procedure, e.g., a tailor, technician, dentist). It works well without naming a specific object.

So with no explicit object, ölçü alıyor is the natural choice.

Why use yerleştiriyor instead of something simpler like koyuyor?

yerleştirmek means “to place/position/install something properly” (often with care or according to a plan/layout).
koymak is “to put (something) down” more generally.
For equipment, you may also hear:
- kurmak = set up (assemble/establish)
- takmak = attach/mount
- monte etmek = mount/assemble Here, yerleştiriyor suggests placing the device in the correct spot or configuration.

What exactly does sonra do, and where can it go?

sonra means “then/afterward.” Common placements:

…, sonra cihazı yerleştiriyor. (neutral)
…, cihazı sonra yerleştiriyor. (emphasizes the timing: later)
Sonra, cihazı yerleştiriyor. (at sentence start) Related options:
ondan sonra = after that (refers back to something just mentioned)
daha sonra = later (often “later on”) As a postposition with an ablative: X’den sonra = after X.

Do I need ve in addition to the comma, like … ve sonra …?

Not necessarily. Turkish often just juxtaposes clauses or uses a comma to sequence actions. All are acceptable:

Teknisyen ölçü alıyor, sonra cihazı yerleştiriyor.
Teknisyen ölçü alıyor ve sonra cihazı yerleştiriyor. You’ll also hear sonra da (“and then”).

How would I say this in the past or as a general habit?

Simple past (completed events): Teknisyen ölçü aldı, sonra cihazı yerleştirdi.
Aorist/habitual (general procedure): Teknisyen ölçü alır, sonra cihazı yerleştirir. The original -yor version can also be a “live” or step-by-step description of a current procedure.

Does Teknisyen mean “the technician” or “a technician”? Should I add bir?

Without bir, a bare subject like Teknisyen often reads as definite or contextually known (“the technician”), or as a generic statement. If you want clearly indefinite, use Bir teknisyen (“a technician”):

Bir teknisyen ölçü alıyor, sonra cihazı yerleştiriyor.

Why is it cihazı and not cihazi?

Vowel harmony. The accusative ending is one of -ı / -i / -u / -ü and must match the last vowel of the noun:

cihaz ends with a (back, unrounded), so take -ı → cihazı. (For comparison: kitap → kitabı, kalem → kalemi, çocuk → çocuğu, göz → gözü.)

How do I pronounce the special letters here?

ö: like German ö or French eu (as in “peur”).
ç: like “ch” in “chop.”
ü: like German ü or French u (front rounded vowel).
ı (dotless i): a close back/central unrounded vowel; think a relaxed “uh” but shorter and higher.
c: like English “j” in “jam.”
r: usually tapped/trilled.
In cihaz, the h is pronounced but light.

What’s the difference between yerleşmek and yerleştirmek?

yerleşmek: intransitive, “to settle/position oneself” (no direct object).
yerleştirmek: causative/transitive, “to place/arrange/seat/settle something/someone” (takes a direct object).
So: cihaz yerleşiyor ≈ “the device is settling (itself)” vs. teknisyen cihazı yerleştiriyor = “the technician places the device.”

How do I turn this into a yes–no question? Where does mi go?

Use the question clitic after the element you’re questioning, with vowel harmony:

Teknisyen ölçü alıyor mu?
Sonra cihazı yerleştiriyor mu? If you want to ask specifically about the object at the second step:
Teknisyen önce ölçü alıyor, sonra cihazı mı yerleştiriyor?

Can I add önce to make the sequence clearer?

Yes. Very natural:

Teknisyen önce ölçü alıyor, sonra cihazı yerleştiriyor.

Can I change the word order for emphasis?

Yes, Turkish allows reordering for focus/topicalization (the verb typically stays at the end):

Cihazı teknisyen yerleştiriyor. (It’s the technician who places the device, not someone else.)
Sonra cihazı teknisyen yerleştiriyor. (Focus on who does it at that stage.) Default, unmarked order is subject–object–verb: Teknisyen cihazı yerleştiriyor.

What happens if I drop the accusative on cihaz?

Then it becomes indefinite/non-specific:

Teknisyen cihaz yerleştiriyor. = “The technician is installing a device/devices (unspecified).” Adding bir makes the indefiniteness explicit: bir cihaz yerleştiriyor.

What would cihazını mean, and how is it different from cihazı?

cihazı can be the definite object “the device” (accusative) in our sentence.
cihazını is 3rd-person possessive + accusative: “his/her device.”
So: cihazını yerleştiriyor = “(he/she) is placing his/her device.” Context distinguishes these forms in real sentences.