Learn Turkish: O büyük kutu ne? - What is that big box?

O is a very versatile word. When it is used right before a noun or an adjective phrase like büyük kutu, it acts as a pointing word meaning 'that'. When it stands completely alone, it acts as a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Is the word order for adjectives the same as in English?

Yes! In Turkish, an adjective like büyük (big) always comes right before the noun it describes, such as kutu (box). So 'big box' translates directly in the same order as büyük kutu.

Why is the question word ne at the end of the sentence?

In Turkish, question words usually sit in the exact spot where the answer would go. Since a statement would be something like 'O büyük kutu bir kitap' (That big box is a book), the question word ne takes that same spot at the end of the sentence.

Where is the word for 'is' in this sentence?

Turkish does not have a standalone word for 'is'. In simple sentences like this, the 'to be' verb is simply understood from the context. You could technically add the formal suffix -dir to make it nedir, but in everyday conversation, it is completely fine to leave it off.