Learn Turkish: Bilimsel bir makale okuduk. - We read a scientific article.

Bilimsel bir makale okuduk.

We read a scientific article.

Breakdown of Bilimsel bir makale okuduk.

Questions & Answers about Bilimsel bir makale okuduk.

How does the -sel suffix work in bilimsel?

It attaches to the noun bilim (science) to create the relational adjective bilimsel (scientific). The suffix takes the form -sal or -sel based on vowel harmony. It tells us that the article is related to the field of science.

Why is the word order bilimsel bir makale instead of bir bilimsel makale?

In Turkish, when an adjective and the indefinite article bir both modify a noun, the standard order is Adjective + bir + Noun. While bir bilimsel makale is sometimes used, bilimsel bir makale is much more natural and puts the descriptive focus on the adjective.

I know bilmek means to know. How is the root word built up before adding -sel?

You start with the verb root bil (know). Adding the noun-forming suffix -im creates bilim (science or knowledge). Finally, adding the relational adjective suffix -sel gives us bilimsel (scientific). Turkish frequently stacks suffixes to build new parts of speech from a simple root.

Why doesn't makale take the accusative case here (like makaleyi)?