Questions & Answers about Bugün soğuk, yağmur yağmıyor.
How does the negative suffix work in yağmıyor?
The verb root is yağ (to rain/precipitate). To make it negative in the present continuous tense, we add the negative suffix -mı followed by -yor. Because the root yağ has the vowel 'a', vowel harmony rules dictate we use the 'ı' version of the negative suffix, creating yağmıyor (it is not raining).
Why do we say yağmur yağmıyor? Doesn't yağmıyor already mean 'it isn't raining'?
In Turkish, the verb yağmak generally means 'to fall from the sky' or 'to precipitate'. To specify what is falling, you pair it with a noun. So, yağmur yağmıyor literally translates to 'rain is not falling'. You use the same verb for snow: kar yağıyor (snow is falling / it is snowing).
Where is the word for 'is' in Bugün soğuk?
In Turkish, there is no direct equivalent to the 'to be' verb (am/is/are) as a separate word. Instead, it is attached as a suffix. However, for the third person singular ('he', 'she', 'it', or a noun like 'today'), the 'is' suffix is usually left completely blank. So, Bugün soğuk literally means 'Today cold', which is perfectly complete and correct for 'Today is cold'.
How do I pronounce the ğ in yağmıyor?
The letter ğ (yumuşak ge, or 'soft g') makes no sound of its own. Instead, it lengthens the vowel that comes right before it. In yağmıyor, you just stretch out the 'a' sound, so it is pronounced smoothly like 'yaa-mıyor'.
Learn Bugün soğuk, yağmur yağmıyor and more in Turkish
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free