Questions & Answers about Bu planı anlamıyorum.
Why is it planı instead of just plan?
Because "this plan" is a specific object. In Turkish, when an action happens to a specific thing, it takes the accusative case ending. If you ask Neyi anlamıyorsun? (What specifically do you not understand?), the answer is bu planı (this plan). The -ı marks it as the specific direct object.
The verb root is anla-, so why does the negative form use -mı- instead of -ma-?
This is due to a pronunciation rule where the continuous suffix -yor narrows the vowel right before it. Normally, the negative suffix is -ma, which would give us anla-ma-yor-um. But the -yor ending squishes that wide a into an ı, making it anlamıyorum.
Why does the verb use the continuous -yor ending (am not understanding) instead of a simple present tense?
In English, we usually say "I do not understand" rather than "I am not understanding." However, Turkish frequently uses the present continuous tense (-yor) for states you are experiencing right now, like understanding (anlamak), wanting (istemek), or knowing (bilmek).
Where is the word for "I" (ben) in this sentence?
It is built right into the verb. The -um at the very end of anlamıyorum means "I". You can add Ben to the beginning of the sentence for emphasis (Ben bu planı anlamıyorum), but it is completely optional and usually left out in everyday Turkish.
Learn Bu planı anlamıyorum 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