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Questions & Answers about Şu bir köpek.
Where is the word for "is" in this sentence?
In Turkish, you don't need a separate verb for "is" in simple sentences like this. Placing the subject (şu) and the noun phrase (bir köpek) together automatically means "That is a dog".
Why does this sentence use şu for "that" instead of o?
Şu is used for things that are a little bit farther away from you than bu (this), but usually still within sight. If you are pointing at a dog across the street, you use şu. You generally use o for things even further away, or things out of sight.
How would I ask "What is that?" to get this sentence as an answer?
Since a dog is an animal and not a person, you use the question word ne (what) instead of kim (who). To ask "What is that?" using the same distance word, you would simply say Şu ne?.
Do I have to use bir here, or could I just say Şu köpek?
You can say Şu köpek, but it can mean either "That is a dog" or just "That dog" depending on the context. Adding bir makes it perfectly clear that you are saying a complete sentence: "That is a dog."