Learn Turkish: Maddi eşyalar için üzülmek yerine manevi değerlerle yetiniriz. - Instead of being sad over material belongings, we are satisfied with spiritual values.

The word yerine means "instead of" or "in place of". To say "instead of doing something", you just take the full infinitive form of the verb with -mAk and place yerine right after it. Here, üzülmek (to be sad) becomes üzülmek yerine.

Why does değerler (values) have the -le suffix attached to it?

The verb yetinmek (to be satisfied) requires the postposition ile (with) to show what you are satisfied with. Here, ile is attached directly to değerler as the suffix -le, making it değerlerle (with values).

Why is the aorist tense used in yetiniriz?

The aorist (broad or simple present) tense is used to state a general truth, habit, or life principle. By saying yetiniriz, the speaker is expressing a general attitude towards life rather than a temporary action happening right now.

Why is için used after maddi eşyalar?

The verb üzülmek (to be sad) can take either the dative case (-e/-a) or the postposition için. Using için here translates well to feeling sad "over" or "for" material belongings.