Breakdown of Eski tanıdıklara veda ettin mi?
tanımak
to know (a person), to recognize
eski
old
mi
question particle (mı/mi/mu/mü)
veda etmek
to say farewell
Questions & Answers about Eski tanıdıklara veda ettin mi?
How does the verb tanımak turn into the noun tanıdıklara here?
The root is tanımak (to know/recognize). By adding the -dık suffix, it typically forms a participle, but here it has become lexicalized. This means tanıdık acts as a normal, standalone noun meaning "acquaintance" and doesn't need any possessive endings. To get tanıdıklara, we just add the plural -lar and the dative case -a (to the acquaintances).
Why is the dative case (-a) used on tanıdıklara?
Because of the verb veda etmek (to say farewell/goodbye). In Turkish, you don't say goodbye "at" or "with" someone; you say goodbye "to" them. Therefore, the object receiving the farewell must take the dative case.
Why is the past tense suffix on the helper verb etmek spelled -tin instead of -din in ettin?
This is a great refresher for consonant assimilation (the "Fıstıkçı Şahap" rule). The verb root et- ends in a voiceless consonant (t). When the past tense suffix -di attaches to it, the d must change to its voiceless pair, t, making it -ti. Finally, we add -n to show it was "you" who did the action.
Is veda etmek used for everyday goodbyes?
Not usually. While phrases like görüşürüz (see you) or hoşça kal (goodbye) are for everyday parting, veda etmek literally means "to bid farewell." It carries a heavier, more final, or more formal tone, such as when someone is moving away permanently or retiring from a company.
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