Learn Hardcore Turkish: Priz yoksa, şarj aleti olsa bile kullanamayız. - If there is no outlet, even if we have a charger, we can’t use it.

Conditional use: Priz yoksa = “if there is no outlet.”
“Otherwise/or else” use: Çabuk ol, yoksa geç kalacaksın. = “Hurry up, otherwise you’ll be late.”

Context tells you which meaning is intended; in your sentence it’s clearly conditional.

Is yoksa different from yok ise? Are both acceptable?

They are the same in meaning here. Yoksa is the standard contracted form of yok ise. You can also add optional eğer for emphasis: Eğer priz yoksa …

Could I say Priz olmasa instead of Priz yoksa?

Yes. Priz olmasa literally “if there weren’t an outlet” is acceptable and slightly more hypothetical/formal. Priz yoksa is the most idiomatic everyday way to say “if there is no outlet,” especially with concrete things like outlets, seats, tickets, etc.

What does şarj aleti olsa bile literally mean, and how is it formed?

It’s a concessive clause meaning “even if there is a charger.”

olsa = conditional of olmak (“if there is/if it were”)
bile = “even (though/if)” Together: X olsa bile = “even if X exists/there is X.” If you want “even if we have a charger,” you can mark possession: şarj aletimiz olsa bile.

Why use olsa bile instead of varsa bile? Are both okay?

Both are grammatical.

şarj aleti olsa bile is very idiomatic with concessive “even if.”
şarj aleti varsa bile is also fine and common. Meaning is the same; choice is stylistic.

What’s the difference between olsa bile and olsa da?

Both mean “even if/although.” bile adds a stronger “even” emphasis. -sa da is a general concessive (“although/even if”). In most contexts they’re interchangeable; bile can feel a touch stronger.

Where does bile go? Is there a difference between şarj aleti olsa bile and şarj aleti bile olsa?

bile follows the element it emphasizes.

şarj aleti olsa bile: emphasizes the whole clause “even if there is a charger.”
şarj aleti bile olsa: emphasizes the noun “even a charger (of all things), if there were one …” The focus shifts to “even a charger,” which slightly changes nuance.

How is kullanamayız built morphologically? Where is the -bil for “can”?

It’s the negative potential form “we cannot use”:

kullan (use) + -a- (potential vowel) + -ma- (negation) + -y- (buffer) + -ız (1st pl) → kullanamayız Positive ability uses -(y)ebil-: kullanabiliriz = “we can use.” In the negative, Turkish typically drops -ebil- and uses -a-ma-: kullanamayız = “we can’t use.”

What’s the difference between kullanamayız and kullanmayız?

kullanamayız = “we cannot use” (lack of possibility/ability/permission).
kullanmayız = “we don’t/won’t use” (habitual refusal or intention, not inability).

What’s the difference between kullanamayız and kullanamıyoruz?

kullanamayız (aorist/gnomic) states a general or conditional inability; it’s perfect for rules and if-clauses: “If X, we can’t use it.”
kullanamıyoruz (present progressive) means “we are not able to use (right now/these days).” It describes an ongoing situation.

Where is the object of kullanamayız? Why isn’t there an onu (“it”)?

Turkish omits objects when they’re clear from context. Here, the object (e.g., “the phone/laptop/whatever”) is understood. You could add onu (“it”) if you’ve just mentioned the referent: Priz yoksa, onu kullanamayız. Be careful: if you literally mean “we can’t use the charger,” you must mark it as a definite object: şarj aletini kullanamayız—which changes the meaning.

Does priz mean the plug or the socket? What’s fiş?

priz = the wall socket/outlet.
fiş = the plug on the cable. You plug the plug into the socket: Fişi prize takmak.

Is şarj aleti the only way to say “charger”?

Common variants:

şarj aleti (very common, everyday)
şarj cihazı (device; slightly more formal/techy)
(şarj) adaptörü (the power brick/adapter)
şarj kablosu (charging cable; the cord, not the brick)

Do I need eğer before the conditional? For example, Eğer priz yoksa …?

No. Eğer is optional and adds emphasis or clarity. Priz yoksa … is fully natural on its own.

Is the comma after the first clause required? Can I change the order?

When the conditional clause comes first, a comma is customary: Priz yoksa, …
You can reorder: Şarj aleti olsa bile, priz yoksa kullanamayız. Or postpose the concessive: Priz yoksa, kullanamayız; şarj aleti olsa bile. Word order is flexible; commas help readability.

Can I add bir: bir şarj aleti olsa bile?

Yes. bir adds an “at least one/some” nuance: “even if there is a (single) charger.” Without bir, it’s neutral/generic.

How do you pronounce şarj?

ş = “sh,” j = the French “zh” sound.
şarj is one syllable: roughly “sharzh.” For the other words: priz (“preez”), alet (“AH-let”), kullanamayız (“kool-lah-nah-ma-yuz”).