When you want to explain exactly how an action should be done, or describe something as being "such" a way, Turkish uses böyle, şöyle, and öyle. These are related to the demonstrative words bu, şu, and o (this, that, and that over there), but instead of pointing to objects, they point to manner and degree.
Modifying verbs: "Like this" and "Like that"
When modifying a verb, these words act as adverbs describing how an action is performed.
- Böyle (like this): The manner is close to the speaker or was just mentioned.
- Şöyle (like this / as follows): Often used when physically demonstrating an action ("Do it like this").
- Öyle (like that): The action is further away, or is currently being done by the listener.
Place them right before the verb or the adverb you want to emphasize.
| Hold the tool with your hand like this. | Aleti elinle şöyle tut. |
| Clamp the board tightly to the vise like this. | Tahtayı mengeneye böyle sıkıca bağla. |
| Don't drill the wall like that with the drill. | Duvarı matkapla öyle delme. |
| We put the board in the vise and shape it like that. | Tahtayı mengeneye koyuyoruz ve öyle şekillendiriyoruz. |
Modifying nouns: "Such a..."
These words can also describe a noun, translating to "such" or "like this/that."
When used with a singular noun, the word bir (a/an) comes immediately before the noun. Any other adjectives (like "big" or "old") go between the demonstrative and bir.
Structure: böyle / şöyle / öyle + (adjective) + bir + noun
| We use a tool like this to carve the wood. | Ahşabı oymak için şöyle bir alet kullanıyoruz. |
| An old saw like this doesn't cut the wood well. | Böyle eski bir testere tahtayı iyi kesmiyor. |
| I don't want to use such a big drill. | Böyle büyük bir matkap kullanmak istemiyorum. |
| It is very difficult to carve such a beautiful motif. | Böyle güzel bir motif oymak çok zor. |