Breakdown of Ben yetenekli cambaza hayran kalıyorum.
ben
I
kalmak
to stay / to be left / to remain (in a state)
yetenekli
talented
cambaz
tightrope walker
Questions & Answers about Ben yetenekli cambaza hayran kalıyorum.
Since this lesson is about the -(y)akalmak suffix, why is hayran kalıyorum written as two separate words without that suffix?
The -(y)akalmak structure is only added to verb roots (like bakakalmak from the verb bakmak). However, hayran is an adjective meaning amazed. When kalmak (to remain) is paired with an adjective to show you are left in a frozen state, it stays as a separate word, creating the compound verb hayran kalmak.
Why does cambaza take the dative suffix -a when the English translation says by?
The compound verb hayran kalmak requires its object to be in the dative case. While English says you are amazed by someone, in Turkish you are literally remaining in awe to the acrobat, so cambaz becomes cambaza.
Is there a difference in meaning if I say hayran oluyorum instead of hayran kalıyorum?
Yes, though they are similar. Hayran olmak simply means to admire or be a fan of someone. Using hayran kalıyorum emphasizes the sudden, frozen state of being left in awe, which fits perfectly with watching a thrilling acrobat.