Breakdown of Açgözlü çiftçi altınları kuyuya saklarmış.
altın
gold
saklamak
to hide / to keep
çiftçi
farmer
kuyu
well
Questions & Answers about Açgözlü çiftçi altınları kuyuya saklarmış.
Why do we combine the aorist (-r) with -mış in saklarmış?
This combination forms the inferential aorist. It is used to talk about repeated actions or habits in the past, translating to "would hide" or "used to hide". Because it uses -mış, it gives a strong storytelling feel, which is exactly how you would narrate a tale or fable about a greedy farmer.
Why is "the gold" translated as plural (altınları) instead of singular?
In English, "gold" is an uncountable noun, but in Turkish, altın can be counted when referring to physical gold coins or pieces of gold. Altınları (altın + lar + ı) specifically means "the gold coins", which fits a story about a farmer hoarding wealth. The final -ı is the accusative case, marking it as the specific direct object.
Why does kuyu (well) take the dative case (-ya) instead of the locative (-da) for "in the well"?
In English, we hide things "in" places, but in Turkish, the verb saklamak (to hide) focuses on the direction or destination of the action. You are moving the object into a hiding spot. Therefore, kuyu (well) takes the dative buffer and ending -(y)a to become kuyuya (into the well).
How is the word açgözlü (greedy) formed?
It is a descriptive compound word. It combines aç (hungry) and göz (eye) with the adjective-forming suffix -lü (having/with). So, someone who has "hungry eyes" is greedy!