Learn Turkish: Karanlıkta kendi arabamı ayırt edemem. - I cannot distinguish my own car in the dark.

Karanlıkta kendi arabamı ayırt edemem.

I cannot distinguish my own car in the dark.

Breakdown of Karanlıkta kendi arabamı ayırt edemem.

Questions & Answers about Karanlıkta kendi arabamı ayırt edemem.

How does the word edemem break down to mean "I cannot"?

The verb here is ayırt etmek (to distinguish). We modify the helper verb etmek. First, the t softens to d (ed-) because a vowel follows. Then we add -e, which is the inability suffix meaning "cannot". Finally, we add -mem, which is the "I" form of the negative Aorist tense. Together, edemem means "I generally cannot do it".

Why does araba have two suffixes in arabamı?

The first suffix is -m (my), making it arabam (my car). The second suffix is the accusative case -ı, which we use to mark the specific direct object of a verb. Because "my car" is a very specific thing that you are trying to distinguish, it requires this accusative ending.

If arabamı already means "my car", why do we also use kendi?

The word kendi means "own" or "self". You could absolutely just say arabamı ayırt edemem (I can't distinguish my car). Adding kendi just gives extra emphasis, translating nicely to "my own car" to show how dark it is!

Why is the "in" suffix -ta instead of -da in karanlıkta?