Questions & Answers about Kahve içmek kötü değil.
Why does the verb içmek end with -mek instead of a tense ending like -iyor?
İçmek is the infinitive or dictionary form of the verb, meaning to drink or drinking. By adding -mek to the verb root iç-, we turn the action into a verbal noun so that the act of drinking can become the subject of the sentence.
How do I know whether to use -mak or -mek on a verb?
It depends on 2-way vowel harmony. Because the vowel in the verb root iç- is a front vowel (i), we use the front-vowel suffix -mek. If the verb root had a back vowel like a, ı, o, or u (for example, yap-), we would use -mak to make yapmak.
Why are kahve and içmek placed right next to each other like that?
In Turkish, the object of an action usually comes right before the verb. So, kahve içmek (literally coffee to-drink) bundles together to mean drinking coffee. This entire two-word phrase acts as the single subject of this sentence.
Why is the sentence negated with değil instead of a negative verb suffix like -me?
Değil is the word for is not, and it is used to negate nouns and adjectives. In this sentence, you are negating the adjective kötü (bad) to say something is not bad. You aren't negating the action of drinking itself.
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