Question 1

How do we get "was winding" from the verb sarıyordu?

Accepted Answer

The root verb is sarmak (to wind or wrap). First, we drop the -mak and add the present continuous suffix -ıyor to get sarıyor (is winding). Then, we add the past suffix -du to make it "was winding". So, sar + ıyor + du = sarıyordu.

Question 2

Why is there an -i at the end of kaseti?

Accepted Answer

That is the definite accusative case. Because the student is winding a specific, known object ("the cassette"), we add the -i suffix to kaset to show it is the direct object of the action.

Question 3

Could I write kalemle instead of kalem ile?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely! ile means "with". You can write it as a separate word (bir kalem ile) or attach it directly as a suffix (bir kalemle). Both are grammatically correct and mean the same thing, but attaching it is much more common in everyday spoken Turkish.

Question 4

Does sarmak always mean "to wind"?

Accepted Answer

It has a few closely related meanings! sarmak generally means to wrap, roll, or wind. You will often see it used for wrapping a gift, rolling food (like a dürüm), or, as in this classic 90s example, winding a cassette tape.

Öğrenci kaseti bir kalem ile sarıyordu.

Breakdown of Öğrenci kaseti bir kalem ile sarıyordu.

Questions & Answers about Öğrenci kaseti bir kalem ile sarıyordu.

Learn Öğrenci kaseti bir kalem ile sarıyordu and more in Turkish