Babaannem misafir gelmeden önce sofrayı kurar ve herkesi mutlaka güler yüzle karşılar.

Babaannem means my paternal grandmother.

• babaanne = father’s mother
• -m = my

So Turkish distinguishes:

• babaanne = paternal grandmother
• anneanne = maternal grandmother

That is more specific than English grandmother.

Because Turkish usually shows possession with a suffix attached to the noun.

• babaanne = grandmother
• babaannem = my grandmother

So instead of a separate word like English my, Turkish often adds a possessive ending directly to the noun.

In Turkish, a singular noun can sometimes be used in a general or collective sense, especially when the exact number is not important.

So misafir gelmeden önce can naturally mean:

• before the guest arrives
• before guests arrive
• before company comes

If the speaker wanted to emphasize multiple guests, they could say misafirler gelmeden önce, but misafir by itself sounds very natural here.

Gelmeden önce means before coming or before ... arrives/arrive.

It is built like this:

• gel- = come
• -meden / -madan = without doing; in this pattern it helps form before doing
• önce = before

So:

• gelmeden önce = before coming / before arriving

This structure is very common in Turkish:

• yemek yemeden önce = before eating
• çıkmadan önce = before leaving
• uyumadan önce = before sleeping

No. Sofrayı kurmak is an expression meaning to set the table.

• sofra originally refers to the dining setup, meal table, or spread
• kurmak often means to set up, arrange, establish, or assemble

So in this context, sofrayı kurmak means preparing the table for the meal.

The -yı is the accusative ending, which marks a definite direct object.

• sofra = table / dining table
• sofrayı = the table, as the object of the verb

Since the sentence is talking about a specific table being set, Turkish uses the accusative:

• sofrayı kurar = she sets the table

The y is just a buffer consonant between the vowel-final noun and the suffix.

These are in the Turkish aorist, which is often used for:

• habitual actions
• general truths
• things someone typically does

So here:

• kurar = she sets
• karşılar = she greets / welcomes

In English, the best translation is usually the simple present:

• she sets the table
• she greets everyone

The idea is that this is her regular habit.

Turkish often leaves out subject pronouns when they are clear from context.

Here the subject is already stated as babaannem, so there is no need to add o.

• Babaannem ... kurar ve ... karşılar.
• Literally: My grandmother ... sets ... and greets ...

Adding o would usually be unnecessary unless you wanted extra emphasis.

Herkesi means everyone as the direct object of the verb.

• herkes = everyone
• herkesi = everyone, marked as the object

Since karşılamak takes a direct object, Turkish marks herkes with the accusative:

• herkesi karşılar = she greets everyone

So the -i here works like the accusative on sofrayı.

Mutlaka adds the idea of definitely, certainly, or without fail.

It suggests that this is something she always makes sure to do. So the sentence does not just say she greets everyone; it says she always makes a point of greeting everyone warmly.

Depending on context, mutlaka can mean:

• definitely
• certainly
• be sure to
• without fail

Here, without fail is a very natural nuance.

Güler yüzle means with a smiling face or more naturally warmly, with a smile.

It comes from:

• gülmek = to smile / laugh
• yüz = face
• güler yüz = smiling face, friendliness
• -le = with

So:

• güler yüzle karşılamak = to greet/welcome with a smile

This is a very common and natural expression in Turkish.

It can mean all of those depending on context, but here greet or welcome fits best.

Karşılamak literally has the sense of meeting someone as they arrive or receiving them.

Common meanings include:

• to greet
• to welcome
• to receive
• to meet someone on arrival

In this sentence, because of güler yüzle, the feeling is especially warm and hospitable, so welcome warmly is a very good sense.

Yes. Turkish word order is flexible, although this version is very natural.

The basic structure here is:

• Babaannem = subject
• misafir gelmeden önce = time phrase
• sofrayı kurar = first action
• ve herkesi mutlaka güler yüzle karşılar = second action

Turkish often puts time expressions before the main verb, and the verb usually comes near the end of its clause. But other orders are possible for emphasis.

For example, mutlaka or güler yüzle could be moved around somewhat, but the given sentence sounds smooth and standard.