Question 1

Break down the word giyilen for me. How does it mean "worn"?

Accepted Answer

It comes from the verb giymek (to wear). First, we add the passive suffix -il, making giyilmek (to be worn). Then we add the subject relative participle -en, which translates to "that" or "which". Literally, giyilen kıyafetler means "the clothes that are/were worn."

Question 2

Since someone else wore the clothes, why do we use the subject participle -en in giyilen instead of the object participle -diği?

Accepted Answer

Because the verb is passive. If we used the active verb, we would use the object participle (e.g., onların giydiği kıyafetler - the clothes that they wore). But with the passive verb giyilmek (to be worn), the clothes become the grammatical subject of the action (the clothes were worn). Because the clothes are the subject of the passive verb, we must use the -an / -en participle.

Question 3

I thought şaşırmak meant "to be surprised". Why does şaşırttı mean the clothes surprised everyone?

Accepted Answer

You are right that the root şaşırmak means "to be surprised." Here, the causative suffix -t has been added to make şaşırtmak, which means "to cause to be surprised" or simply "to surprise." The final -tı is the past tense ending.

Question 4

Why is it herkesi instead of just herkes?

Accepted Answer

herkes (everyone) is the direct object receiving the action of the verb şaşırttı (surprised). Because pronouns like "everyone" refer to a defined, specific group of people, they require the definite accusative case ending when acting as a direct object, which is -i here.

Galada giyilen ihtişamlı kıyafetler herkesi şaşırttı.

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