Questions & Answers about Kurbana yalan söylemeyiz.
Where is the aorist 'r' in söylemeyiz?
In the negative aorist, the typical -r time marker drops out completely for the 'I' and 'we' forms. Instead of adding an -r, you use the special ending -meyiz (or -mayız) for 'we'. So söyle- (say/tell) simply becomes söylemeyiz (we do not tell).
Why are there two words (yalan söylemeyiz) for just 'we do not lie'?
In Turkish, 'to lie' is expressed with a set phrase: yalan söylemek, which literally translates to 'to tell a lie' (yalan = lie, söylemek = to tell).
Why does kurban (victim) have an -a at the end?
The verb söylemek (to tell) requires the dative case (-a or -e) to show who is receiving the action. Based on vowel harmony, kurban takes the -a ending to mean 'to the victim'.
Does söylemeyiz mean 'we are not lying' right now?
No, that would be the present continuous tense (yalan söylemiyoruz). Because this sentence uses the aorist tense, it states a general rule, habit, or principle: 'As a rule, we do not lie to the victim.'
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