Breakdown of Onlar klimayı açmıyordu, odun taşıyordu.
onlar
they
açmak
to open
taşımak
to carry
klima
air conditioner
odun
wood (firewood)
Questions & Answers about Onlar klimayı açmıyordu, odun taşıyordu.
How is the negative past continuous formed in açmıyordu?
It combines the verb root aç (open/turn on), the negative continuous suffix -mıyor, and the past tense suffix -du. The -mı- part is what makes it negative, and it follows vowel harmony rules based on the verb root.
Since the subject is Onlar (they), shouldn't the verbs be açmıyorlardı and taşıyorlardı?
You can absolutely say açmıyorlardı, but in Turkish, if the plural human subject is already explicitly stated with a word like Onlar (they), the plural suffix -lar on the verb becomes optional. Leaving it off is very common and sounds natural.
Why does klima get the specific object ending (klimayı) but odun doesn't?
Klimayı gets the accusative case ending -yı because it refers to a specific air conditioner (the one they have or the one in the room). Odun (wood) is used generally here; they are just carrying "wood" in general, not a specific piece of wood. General direct objects stay in their bare form without a suffix.
The verb açmak usually means "to open". Why is it translated as "turning on"?
In Turkish, the verb açmak (to open) is the standard word used for turning on electronic devices, appliances, and lights. To say "turn off", you would use the verb kapatmak (to close).
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