Breakdown of Aşınmış merdivenlere ve sararmış kâğıtlara bastık.
ve
and
kâğıt
paper
basmak
to press
merdiven
ladder / stairs
Questions & Answers about Aşınmış merdivenlere ve sararmış kâğıtlara bastık.
How does the "-mış" ending work in "aşınmış" and "sararmış" here?
In this sentence, -mış is used to turn a verb into an adjective that describes the completed state of a noun (a past participle). Aşınmak means "to wear out", so aşınmış is the adjective "worn-out". Similarly, sararmak means "to turn yellow", so sararmış describes papers that have already turned yellow.
Why do we use the dative endings "-e" and "-a" on the nouns? Doesn't "stepped on" usually take the locative "-da/-de"?
In English, we step on things, which makes the locative case (-da/-de) feel natural. However, in Turkish, the verb basmak (to step/press) requires the dative case (-e/-a) to show the target or direction of your step. You are essentially stepping onto the stairs and papers.
What is the root of the verb in "sararmış"? It looks a lot like "sarı" (yellow).
You spotted it! The verb sararmak (to turn yellow or pale) is derived from the adjective sarı (yellow). When the suffix -armak (used to create verbs meaning "to become [adjective]") is added, the final ı in sarı drops out: sarı + armak = sararmak.
Why do we have to put the plural and dative endings on both "merdivenlere" and "kâğıtlara"? Could I just say "merdiven ve kâğıtlara"?