Questions & Answers about Hiçbir zaman sigara içmiyorum.
Why is zaman used here instead of saat, since we're learning about time?
Why is the verb negative (içmiyorum) if hiçbir zaman already means "never"?
In Turkish, words meaning "never" or "none" (like hiç or hiçbir zaman) must be paired with a negative verb. English avoids double negatives, but Turkish requires them! So you are literally saying "At no time, I do not smoke."
Why use the present continuous tense (-yor) in içmiyorum for a general habit?
Turkish frequently uses the present continuous tense (-yor) for everyday habits and routines, even though English uses the simple present tense ("I smoke" rather than "I am smoking").
Wait, doesn't içmek mean "to drink"?
Yes! In Turkish, you "drink" cigarettes. The phrase sigara içmek is the standard way to say "to smoke." Here, içmiyorum literally means "I am not drinking."
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