Questions & Answers about Bir özür bekliyorum.
Why doesn't bekliyorum have an 'e' in it, since the verb is beklemek?
The root of the verb is bekle-. When adding the present continuous suffix -iyor, a rule called vowel narrowing happens. If a verb root ends in -a or -e, that vowel changes to a narrow vowel (ı, i, u, or ü) to match the suffix. So bekle- + -iyor becomes bekliyor.
In English we say 'waiting FOR an apology'. Where is the word for 'for' in this sentence?
The Turkish verb beklemek (to wait) connects directly to what you are waiting for, without needing a preposition like 'for'. You just 'wait an apology'. Because you are waiting for 'an' apology in general, bir özür doesn't get any special case endings either.
I know the phrase özür dilerim (I'm sorry). Is it the same word here?
Yes! The noun özür literally means 'apology' or 'excuse'. The common phrase özür dilerim translates literally as 'I beg/wish for an apology'. In this sentence, you are using the noun on its own to simply say 'an apology'.
Could this sentence also mean 'I expect an apology'?
Yes, absolutely. The verb beklemek means both 'to wait' and 'to expect' in Turkish. Context usually tells you which one is meant, and both make perfect sense for this sentence.
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