Question 1

How do we form the 'if we had worn' part in giyseydik?

Accepted Answer

This is the past counterfactual conditional (Type 3). It is built from the verb root giy- (wear), plus the conditional suffix -se (if), the buffer letter -y-, the past tense -di, and the 'we' ending -k. Together, giyseydik means 'if we had worn [it]', describing a condition in the past that didn't actually happen.

Question 2

How does kazanırdık translate to 'we would have won'?

Accepted Answer

The main result clause of a past unreal 'if' sentence usually uses the aorist (broad tense) combined with the past tense. Here, it breaks down into kazan- (win) + -ır (aorist) + -dı (past) + -k (we). While in other contexts this combination means 'we used to win', in an 'if' sentence it translates to 'we would have won'.

Question 3

What exactly does oysa mean here, and could I just use ama (but) instead?

Accepted Answer

Oysa translates to 'whereas', 'however', or 'but in fact'. You absolutely could use ama here, and the sentence would still make perfect sense. However, oysa adds a bit more dramatic contrast, heavily emphasizing the difference between the actual reality (we didn't wear it) and the missed opportunity.

Question 4

The English translation says 'if we had worn it', but there is no word for 'it' before giyseydik. Why?

Accepted Answer

In Turkish, if a direct object has just been stated and is completely obvious from context, it is usually dropped in the following clauses. Because beyaz formayı (the white jersey) was just mentioned in the first half of the sentence, there is no need to insert onu (it) before giyseydik.

Beyaz formayı giymedik, oysa giyseydik kazanırdık.

Breakdown of Beyaz formayı giymedik, oysa giyseydik kazanırdık.

Questions & Answers about Beyaz formayı giymedik, oysa giyseydik kazanırdık.

Learn Beyaz formayı giymedik, oysa giyseydik kazanırdık and more in Turkish