“Geçmiş olsun,” dedi veteriner; keçinin ayağı incinmiş ama yakında düzelecekmiş.

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Breakdown of “Geçmiş olsun,” dedi veteriner; keçinin ayağı incinmiş ama yakında düzelecekmiş.

• yakında: soon
• demek: to say
• veteriner: the veterinarian

Questions & Answers about “Geçmiş olsun,” dedi veteriner; keçinin ayağı incinmiş ama yakında düzelecekmiş.

What does Geçmiş olsun mean literally, and how is it actually used?

Literally, geçmiş olsun is something like may it be in the past. In natural English, that idea does not translate directly, so it is better learned as a fixed expression.

Turkish speakers use Geçmiş olsun when someone is sick, injured, has had an accident, or has gone through some unpleasant event. It is a polite, sympathetic thing to say, similar to:

• Get well soon
• I’m sorry to hear that
• Hope it passes soon

In this sentence, the veterinarian is saying it because the goat has been hurt.

Can Geçmiş olsun be said about an animal too, or is it only for people?

Yes, it can definitely be used in situations involving animals.

If someone’s pet or farm animal is sick or injured, Turkish speakers may still say Geçmiş olsun to the owner, or even in the situation generally. The phrase is really about expressing sympathy for the bad situation, not only about human illness.

Why is it dedi veteriner instead of veteriner dedi?

Both are possible.

Turkish word order is flexible, and the most neutral order is often Subject–Object–Verb, but in narration, especially after quoted speech, dedi veteriner is very natural and stylistically common. It works a bit like English said the veterinarian.

So:

• Veteriner dedi = the veterinarian said
• Dedi veteriner = said the veterinarian

The second one can sound a little more literary or narrative in English terms, but it is completely normal in Turkish.