Ben köpeği besliyorum.

the dog

Breakdown of Ben köpeği besliyorum.

• ben: I
• beslemek: to feed

Questions & Answers about Ben köpeği besliyorum.

Why do we need Ben if besliyorum already means I am feeding?

In Turkish the verb ending already shows who the subject is:

• besliyor-um → -um = I

So Köpeği besliyorum already means I am feeding the dog.

You add Ben mainly for emphasis or contrast, roughly like:

• Ben köpeği besliyorum. = I am feeding the dog (not someone else).

In neutral, everyday speech, people often drop Ben and just say:

• Köpeği besliyorum.

Why is it köpeği and not just köpek?

Köpeği has the -i ending because it’s a definite direct object.

In Turkish:

• köpek besliyorum = I am feeding a dog (some dog, not specific)
• köpeği besliyorum = I am feeding the dog (a specific dog you both know)

The -i ending is called the accusative. It is used when the direct object is specific/definite.

How is köpeği formed from köpek?