Questions & Answers about Üç tane elma al.
Why is the verb just al?
The word al is the root of the verb almak (to buy / to take). In Turkish, to give a direct command to one person informally (like a friend or family member), you simply use this bare verb root. Dropping the -mak gives you the imperative form al (buy!).
Why is the word for apple (elma) singular instead of plural (elmalar) when there are three of them?
In Turkish, whenever you use a number to count something, the noun that follows must stay in its singular form. Saying üç elmalar is grammatically incorrect; you must always say üç elma.
What does the word tane mean here, and do I have to use it?
tane translates to item or piece. Turkish often uses it right after numbers when counting individual objects, similar to saying 'three items of apple' in English. It is completely optional but makes the sentence sound very natural. You could also just say Üç elma al.
Does al always mean buy?
Not always. The verb almak commonly means both to buy and to take. Depending on where you are, this sentence could just as easily mean Take three apples.