Learn Turkish: Kilo vermek kolay değil. - Losing weight is not easy.

Yes, vermek usually means 'to give'. However, in Turkish, the set phrase for 'to lose weight' is kilo vermek (literally 'to give weight'). The opposite, 'to gain weight', is kilo almak (literally 'to take weight').

Why is vermek in its dictionary form (-mek) instead of being conjugated?

In Turkish, you can use the dictionary form (the infinitive ending in -mak or -mek) as a noun. Here, kilo vermek acts as the subject of the sentence, translating perfectly to the English phrase 'losing weight' or 'to lose weight'.

Why do we use değil to say 'not easy' instead of a negative verb suffix?

Değil is the standalone word for 'not' used to negate nouns or adjectives. Because kolay (easy) is an adjective and this sentence describes a state rather than an action, you must use değil. Negative suffixes like -me or -mi are only attached directly to action verbs.

Does kilo just mean 'kilograms', or does it mean 'weight' in general?

It means both! While it is the standard word for 'kilogram', it is also the everyday word used for a person's body weight in Turkish.