Breakdown of Ben bahçede takla atabilirim.
ben
I
bahçe
garden
atmak
to throw / to tie (a knot) / to lay (a foundation) / to put (a signature)
takla
somersault
Questions & Answers about Ben bahçede takla atabilirim.
Why do we use the verb atmak (to throw) here?
In Turkish, doing a somersault is expressed with the phrase takla atmak, which literally means to throw a somersault. It is a set phrase you just have to memorize!
How exactly is the word atabilirim put together?
It combines the verb root at- (throw) with the ability suffix -abil (can). Next, we add the aorist tense suffix -ir to show it is a general fact or skill. Finally, the personal ending -im shows it is I doing the action.
Why is the ability suffix -abil here instead of -ebil?
It is because of A-type vowel harmony! Since the root at- has a hard vowel (a), the suffix must be -abil. For verbs with soft vowels (like e or i), you use -ebil instead.
Why is bahçede placed before takla?
Turkish usually follows a Subject-Location-Object-Verb word order. Here, the subject Ben comes first, followed by the location bahçede (in the garden), then the object takla, and finally the verb.