In English, we say we are afraid of doing something or tired of doing something. In Turkish, you express this using the ablative case (the "from" case).
To apply the ablative case to an action, first turn the verb into a noun using the infinitive suffix -mak or -mek. Then, attach the ablative suffix.
Because the infinitive always ends in the voiceless consonant k, the ablative suffix -dan or -den mutates to -tan or -ten. This gives you the combined suffix -maktan or -mekten.
Fear and Hesitation
Use this combined suffix before verbs of emotion or avoidance, such as korkmak (to be afraid) and çekinmek (to hesitate or shy away).
| I am afraid of blushing while speaking in public. | Topluluk önünde konuşurken kızarmaktan korkuyorum. |
| I hesitate to sing in public. | Topluluk önünde şarkı söylemekten çekiniyorum. |
Multiple Actions
When listing multiple actions you are afraid of, you can connect them with ve (and). Attach the -maktan or -mekten suffix to every verb in the list.
| I am afraid of stuttering and being disgraced. | Kekelemekten ve rezil olmaktan korkuyorum. |
Fatigue and Exhaustion
Verbs describing mental fatigue, like yorulmak (to get tired) and bıkmak (to be sick of), also require the ablative case.
| He got tired of stuttering on the podium. | Kürsüde kekelemekten yoruldu. |
| Because of my phobia, I am sick of blushing and being a subject of mockery. | Fobim yüzünden kızarmaktan ve alay konusu olmaktan bıktım. |
Being Spooked
Other verbs that imply distancing yourself from an action, like ürkmek (to be spooked), follow the exact same pattern.
| I am spooked by being the center of attention on stage. | Sahnede ilgi odağı olmaktan ürküyorum. |
