Questions & Answers about Ben çantayı yanına koyuyorum.
Why is ben used if koyuyorum already means I am putting?
In Turkish, the verb ending already shows the subject. Koyuyorum means I am putting, so ben is not required.
The sentence could simply be Çantayı yanına koyuyorum.
Adding ben usually gives a little more emphasis, contrast, or clarity, as in I’m the one putting the bag next to him/her/you.
Why does çanta become çantayı?
Because it is the direct object and it is specific/definite.
Turkish often marks a specific direct object with the accusative ending -(y)ı / -(y)i / -(y)u / -(y)ü. Here:
çanta + -yı → çantayı
The y is a buffer consonant added because çanta ends in a vowel.
So çantayı means the bag or that specific bag as the thing being put somewhere.
What exactly is yanına?