Learn Hardcore Turkish: Sosyal medyayı açmadan önce ödevimi bitirmeye çalışıyorum. - Before opening social media, I try to finish my homework.

sosyal medya = social media (basic form)
sosyal medyayı = the social media (as a definite object), “social media” that we already know about, like your apps/feeds

So:

Sosyal medyayı açmak = to open (the) social media
Kitabı açmak = to open the book
Kapıyı açmak = to open the door

Even though the verb here is in the form açmadan (“without opening / before opening”), the verb is still transitive, so its object still takes the accusative: sosyal medyayı açmadan.

What exactly does açmadan önce mean? How does -madan önce work?

-madan/-meden önce is a very common structure meaning “before doing (something)”.

Form:

verb stem + -ma/-me (verbal noun / negative) + -dan/-den
- önce → “before doing X”

In your sentence:

aç- = open
aç-ma-dan önce = before opening

More examples:

Yemek yemeden önce ellerini yıka.
Wash your hands before eating.
Gitmeden önce beni ara.
Call me before leaving.
Uyumadan önce kitap okuyorum.
I read a book before sleeping.

So sosyal medyayı açmadan önce = before (I) open social media.

Is açmadan önce the same as açmaktan önce?

Both forms exist, but -madan önce is much more common and natural in modern Turkish.

açmadan önce → most typical, very natural
açmaktan önce → possible, but sounds more formal or unusual in many everyday contexts

With some verbs, -maktan önce sounds more natural, especially when there is a sense of “before starting X” as an activity:

Sınava çalışmaya başlamadan önce bir plan yap. ✓ very natural
Sınava çalışmaktan önce bir plan yap. ✓ possible, but sounds odd; most people would avoid this

For your sentence, Sosyal medyayı açmadan önce is the standard, natural choice.

Why is there no “ben” in the sentence even though it means “I am trying…”?

In Turkish, subject pronouns are usually dropped when the verb ending already shows who the subject is.

çalışıyorum contains:
- çalış- = to try / to work
- -ıyor = present continuous
- -um (merged as -yorum) = I

So çalışıyorum already means “I am trying”.

You could say:

Ben sosyal medyayı açmadan önce ödevimi bitirmeye çalışıyorum.

That’s grammatically correct, but in neutral conversation it’s unnecessary unless you want to emphasize “I” (as opposed to someone else).

What does ödevimi mean exactly, and why isn’t it just ödevim?

ödevim = my homework
ödevimi = my homework as a definite object (accusative)

The word is made up of:

ödev = homework
-im = my
-i = accusative (definite object)

So:

Ödevim bitti. = My homework is finished. (subject, no accusative)
Ödevimi bitirdim. = I finished my homework. (object of bitirmek → accusative)

In your sentence:

ödevimi bitirmeye çalışıyorum → I’m trying to finish my homework (a specific homework that you have).

How does bitirmeye çalışıyorum work? Why do we use -meye?

çalışmak here means “to try, to make an effort”, and it takes a verb in the -meye/-maya form to express what you are trying to do.

Structure:

[verb stem] + -mA + yA (→ -maya/-meye) + çalışmak
= to try to [verb]

In your sentence:

bitir- = to finish
bitir-me-ye çalışıyorum = I am trying to finish

More examples:

Türkçe öğrenmeye çalışıyorum.
I am trying to learn Turkish.
Erken kalkmaya çalışıyorum.
I am trying to get up early.
Daha sağlıklı yemeye çalışıyorum.
I am trying to eat more healthily.

So ödevimi bitirmeye çalışıyorum literally is “I am trying to do the finishing of my homework.”

What is the difference between çalışmak and denemek when both can mean “to try”?

Both can translate as “to try”, but there’s a nuance:

çalışmak + -meye/-maya → to make an effort to do something regularly or seriously
- Türkçe öğrenmeye çalışıyorum.
  I’m working on / making an effort to learn Turkish.
- Suggests effort, persistence, ongoing attempt.
denemek → to try / to attempt (once, or as an experiment)
- Bu elbiseyi denemek istiyorum.
  I want to try this dress on.
- Şansımı deneyeceğim.
  I will try my luck.
- Ödevimi bitirmeyi deniyorum.
  I’m trying (having a go at) finishing my homework. (More like “I’m giving it a try.”)

In your sentence:

… ödevimi bitirmeye çalışıyorum.
Emphasizes effort and intention, not just a casual attempt.

Why is the word order Sosyal medyayı açmadan önce ödevimi bitirmeye çalışıyorum? Could we move parts around?

Turkish word order is flexible, but the default pattern is:

[Time / condition] + [objects] + [verb]

Your sentence follows that pattern:

Sosyal medyayı açmadan önce (time/condition: before I open social media)
ödevimi (object: my homework)
bitirmeye çalışıyorum (verb phrase: I’m trying to finish)

You can move things around, depending on emphasis:

Ödevimi, sosyal medyayı açmadan önce bitirmeye çalışıyorum.
(Emphasizes ödevimi: my homework in contrast to other things.)
Ödevimi bitirmeye, sosyal medyayı açmadan önce çalışıyorum.
(Unusual, feels awkward; splitting like this is rarely needed.)

For everyday speech, your original order is the most natural and neutral.

Does açmadan by itself mean “without opening” or “before opening”?

By itself, açmadan means “without opening”.

Kapıyı açmadan içeri girdi.
He went in without opening the door.

In your sentence, however, açmadan is combined with önce:

açmadan önce = before opening

So:

açmadan → without opening
açmadan önce → before opening

The meaning “before” comes from önce, not from -madan itself.

Could I say “Sosyal medyayı açmadan önce ödevimi bitiriyorum” instead of “… bitirmeye çalışıyorum”?

You can, but the meaning changes.

bitiriyorum → “I finish (it)” (present continuous, describing something that actually happens)
- Sosyal medyayı açmadan önce ödevimi bitiriyorum.
  I finish my homework before I open social media.
  → Sounds like a habit or rule that you successfully follow.
bitirmeye çalışıyorum → “I am trying to finish (it)”
- Sosyal medyayı açmadan önce ödevimi bitirmeye çalışıyorum.
  I’m trying to finish my homework before I open social media.
  → Emphasizes effort, but it doesn’t guarantee success.

So the original sentence suggests you have a goal/effort, not a fully established, always-successful routine.

Why is the tense çalışıyorum (present continuous) instead of a simple present like çalışırım?

çalışıyorum (present continuous)
- Used for:
  - actions happening right now, or
  - ongoing or current habits/efforts
- … ödevimi bitirmeye çalışıyorum.
  I’m (currently/these days) trying to finish my homework.
çalışırım (aorist/simple present)
- Used more for:
  - general truths,
  - regular, firm habits, or
  - statements like rules, preferences.
- Sosyal medyayı açmadan önce ödevimi bitirmeye çalışırım.
  I (generally) try to finish my homework before I open social media.
  → Sounds like a general rule or routine you follow.

The sentence with çalışıyorum sounds like you are describing what you are currently doing or trying to do in your life, not necessarily a rigid long-term habit.