Adjective emphasis (güzel mi güzel)

In English, we use words like "very" or "extremely" to intensify an adjective. Turkish offers a poetic, conversational way to emphasize descriptions: repeating the adjective with a question particle sandwiched in between.

The Emphasis Structure

Adjective + mI + Adjective

The question particle (, mi, mu, or ) is written as a separate word and follows 4-way vowel harmony:

  • sarp (steep) -> sarp mı sarp (very steep)
  • güzel (beautiful) -> güzel mi güzel (very beautiful)
  • heybetli (majestic) -> heybetli mi heybetli (very majestic)

Using Emphasized Adjectives

These double-adjective phrases function exactly like normal adjectives. They are most frequently placed directly before a noun to create vivid descriptions.

In short, a very beautiful nature feast is starting here.
Kısacası, burada güzel mi güzel bir tabiat şöleni başlıyor.
The train is advancing on very steep slopes.
Tren, sarp mı sarp yamaçlarda ilerliyor.
We are gradually approaching very majestic mountains and passes.
Gittikçe heybetli mi heybetli dağlara ve geçitlere yaklaşıyoruz.
The train is entering a very dark tunnel.
Tren karanlık mı karanlık bir tünele giriyor.

Just like standard adjectives, these emphasized phrases can also act as the predicate at the end of a sentence.

The very steep pass is a splendid feast; the curve of the rails is very majestic.
Sarp mı sarp geçit şahane bir şölen; rayların kıvrımı heybetli mi heybetli.

Contributors