Questions & Answers about Atlet üçü on geçe geçiş yapıyor.
Why is it üçü and not just üç?
When saying at what time something happens using "past the hour" (like "at ten past three"), the hour takes the accusative case. Here, üç (three) gets the accusative suffix -ü, becoming üçü.
What exactly is geçe and how does it work here?
Geçe is used to say "past" when stating the time an event happens. It literally means "passing" and is formed by adding an adverbial suffix to the verb geçmek (to pass). It always follows the minute, so üçü on geçe means "at ten past three".
If I just wanted to say "It is ten past three," would I still use geçe?
No! If you are just telling the current time ("It is ten past three"), you use the continuous verb geçiyor: Saat üçü on geçiyor. You only use geçe when saying at what time an event happens, like in this sentence.
Why use geçiş yapıyor instead of just geçiyor?
Geçiş is a noun meaning "crossing" or "passage" (from the same root geçmek). Geçiş yapıyor literally means "is making a crossing." While you could simply say atlet geçiyor (the athlete is passing), geçiş yapıyor sounds more official, which is common in sports to describe completing a specific checkpoint.