1. The suffix -mak / -mek
- This suffix turns verbs into nouns.
- In English, it’s like “to + verb” or “verbing“
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- Koşmak sağlıklıdır. → Running is healthy.
- Yüzmek zor. → Swimming is hard.
2. What are “mayı / meyi / maya / meye”?
These are actually the infinitive forms (-mak/mek) of verbs that have received case suffixes (like accusative or dative).
Structure:
[verb root] + mak/mek → [verbal noun] + [case suffix]
🔹 “mayı / meyi” → Accusative case (definite object)
In English: “…ing (as an object)” like drinking, learning
- İçki içmeyi seviyor musun?
→ Do you like drinking alcohol?
“içmeyi” = iç + mek → içmek + i (accusative case)
You like what? → Drinking.
- Türkçe öğrenmeyi seviyorum.
→ I like learning Turkish.
🟡 Note: Often used with verbs like “to like,” “to want,” “to prefer.”
🔹 “maya / meye” → Dative case (direction, intention)
In English: “to do something / for doing something“
- Parkta koşmaya başladım.
→ I started to run in the park. - Türkçe öğrenmeye karar verdim.
→ I decided to start learning Turkish.
🟡 Note: Used with verbs that imply purpose or direction, like “to start,” “to decide,” “to go.”
🔹 What’s the difference between meye and maya?
This depends on Turkish vowel harmony rules:
| Last vowel of the root | Suffix becomes |
|---|---|
| a, ı → → maya | |
| e, i → → meye | |
| o, u → → maya | |
| ö, ü → → meye |
Examples:
- Koşmaya (last vowel is “o” → uses “maya”)
- Öğrenmeye (last vowel is “e” → uses “meye”)
Now, let’s complete the blanks from your quiz:
| Turkish Sentence | Correct Form | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Yazın sahilde içki iç… seviyor musun? | içmeyi | Do you like drinking alcohol on the beach in summer? |
| Parkta koş… eğlenceli mi? | koşmak | Is running in the park fun? |
| Ne zaman Fedor’la Rusya’ya git… karar verdin? | gitmeye | When did you decide to go to Russia with Fedor? |
| Türkçe öğren… ne zaman başladın? | öğrenmeye | When did you start learning Turkish? |
| Yeni bir dil öğren… ister misin? | öğrenmek | Do you want to learn a new language? |
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