Question 1

How does kazıyor olmalı translate to "must be scraping" instead of "must scrape"?

Accepted Answer

To express a strong deduction about an ongoing action ("must be doing"), Turkish pairs the continuous suffix -Iyor on the main verb with the auxiliary verb olmak (to be) in its necessity form: olmalı (must be). If you wanted to express an obligation like "He must scrape the floor", you would attach the necessity suffix directly to the main verb instead: kazımalı.

Question 2

Doesn't kazıyor come from the verb kazmak (to dig)? Why is it translated as "scraping"?

Accepted Answer

This is a tricky coincidence! Kazıyor can actually be the present continuous form of two different verbs: kazmak (to dig) and kazımak (to scrape). Because of how the -Iyor suffix causes preceding vowels to drop or change, both stems end up looking identical as kazıyor. Context tells us that a carpenter working on a floor is "scraping" (kazımak) rather than "digging" (kazmak).

Question 3

Why is it zemini and not just zemin?

Accepted Answer

Because the person is scraping a specific floor, it takes the definite accusative case. The base word is zemin (floor), and the -i suffix marks it as the specific direct object of the action. Without it, the sentence would sound like he is doing general "floor-scraping" rather than working on the floor in question.

Question 4

Why do we need bir before marangoz (carpenter)? Don't we usually drop "a/an" with professions?

Accepted Answer

You are right that when directly stating someone's profession, you drop the article (e.g., O marangoz = He is a carpenter). However, when making a comparison using gibi (like) to refer to a generic member of that profession, including bir is standard and much more natural. Bir marangoz gibi clearly means "like a carpenter".

Bir marangoz gibi zemini kazıyor olmalı.

Breakdown of Bir marangoz gibi zemini kazıyor olmalı.

Questions & Answers about Bir marangoz gibi zemini kazıyor olmalı.

Learn Bir marangoz gibi zemini kazıyor olmalı and more in Turkish