Learn Turkish: Günlerdir zorluklar var ama lütfen pes etme, devam et! - There have been difficulties for days, but please do not give up, continue!

This is the time duration suffix you are focusing on in this lesson! When you add -dir (or -dır, -tır, etc., depending on vowel harmony) to a time word, it means 'for' a period of time. Since günler means 'days', adding the suffix makes günlerdir, meaning 'for days'.

The English translation says 'there have been', but doesn't var just mean 'there is/are'?

Yes, var literally means 'there is' or 'there are'. However, when you use a duration word like günlerdir, Turkish uses the present tense for a state that started in the past and is still continuing right now. So, 'there are difficulties for days' in Turkish naturally translates to 'there have been difficulties for days' in English.

How is the word zorluklar built?

It starts with the adjective zor (difficult or hard). Adding the suffix -luk (which forms nouns from adjectives, similar to '-ness' or '-ty' in English) makes zorluk (difficulty). Finally, the plural suffix -lar makes it zorluklar (difficulties).

Why do both pes etme and devam et use a form of the word et?