Grammar
Accusative (-i)
The Accusative case (Belirtme Hali) is used to mark the definite direct object of a verb. This means it specifies *which particular* person or thing is being directly affected by the verb's action. It answers the question "Whom?" or "What (specific one)?".
Suffixes:
The accusative suffix follows I-Type vowel harmony:
- If the last vowel of the noun is a or ı, add -ı.
- If the last vowel of the noun is e or i, add -i.
- If the last vowel of the noun is o or u, add -u.
- If the last vowel of the noun is ö or ü, add -ü.
If the noun ends in a vowel, the buffer consonant 'y' is inserted before the suffix.
Examples:
- Kitabı okudum. (I read the book.) (kitap + -ı)
- Elmayı yedim. (I ate the apple.) (elma + -yı)
- Kediyi gördüm. (I saw the cat.) (kedi + -yi)
- Okulu seviyorum. (I like the school.) (okul + -u)
- Gözlüğü buldum. (I found the glasses.) (gözlük + -ü, with k → ğ softening)
Definite vs. Indefinite:
It's crucial to distinguish between definite and indefinite direct objects.
- Definite (Accusative): Ben elmayı yedim. (I ate the apple. - a specific apple known to speaker/listener)
- Indefinite (Nominative): Ben elma yedim. (I ate an apple / some apple. - any apple)
Practice Zone
1. To say 'I saw THE CAR', how would 'araba' (car) change?
2. If 'ev' means house, how do you say 'I saw THE HOUSE'?