Questions & Answers about Bu kutu ne için?
Why is it ne için instead of için ne?
In English, "for" is a preposition, meaning it goes before the word (for what). In Turkish, için is a postposition, so it always goes after the word it attaches to. That is why the order is ne için (literally "what for").
Where is the word for "is" in this sentence?
There isn't one! In simple descriptive sentences like this, Turkish often leaves out the "to be" verb (is/am/are) for the third person (he/she/it). The "is" is naturally understood from the context.
Is ne için related to the word niçin (why)?
Exactly! The Turkish word niçin (why) was actually formed by squishing together ne and için (what for). In this sentence, keeping them as two separate words specifically asks "what is this object used for?" rather than a general "why?".
Does için change the ending of the word ne?
Not here. The postposition için uses the plain, dictionary form of most nouns and question words like ne. Just remember that if you use it with personal pronouns, you will need an ending, like in benim için (for me) or senin için (for you).
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