Grammar
Particles & Interjections
Particles and interjections are small words or phrases that add nuance, emotion, or structure to sentences, but often don't fit neatly into other grammatical categories.
Particles (Edatlar / Belirteçler - some overlap with postpositions):
Particles are function words that modify other words or phrases, or indicate a specific grammatical relationship. Some words considered postpositions can also act as particles depending on context.
- de / da (also, too, even; but, and then): Written separately. Follows A-type vowel harmony.
Example: Ben de geldim. (I came too.) Kitabı okudu da anlamadı. (He read the book but didn't understand.) - ki (that, which; so ... that; I wonder if): Written separately. Does not always follow vowel harmony (usually ki, but can be kü in çünkü).
Example: Biliyorum ki gelecek. (I know that he will come.) Evde mi ki? (I wonder if he's at home?) - mi / mı / mu / mü (question particle): Used to form yes/no questions. Written separately.
Example: Geldin mi? (Did you come?) - ise (as for, if it is, whereas): Often suffixed as -(y)se/-(y)sa.
Example: Ben çalışıyorum, kardeşim ise uyuyor. (I am working, whereas my sibling is sleeping.) - bile (even):
Example: O bile geldi. (Even he came.) - sadece / yalnız / ancak (only, just):
Example: Sadece sen anlarsın. (Only you would understand.)
Interjections (Ünlemler):
Interjections are words or short phrases used to express sudden feelings, emotions, or reactions. They often stand alone or at the beginning of a sentence, followed by an exclamation mark.
- Ah!: Expresses pain, sadness, longing. (Ah, başım ağrıyor! - Oh, my head hurts!)
- Eyvah!: Expresses alarm, dismay, pity. (Eyvah, anahtarı unuttum! - Oh no, I forgot the key!)
- Aferin!: Well done! Bravo! (Aferin sana! - Well done you!)
- Bravo!: Bravo! (Borrowed)
- Haydi!: Come on! Let's go! (Haydi gidelim! - Let's go!)
- Aman!: Oh dear! Good heavens! (can express surprise, warning, annoyance, or pleading) (Aman dikkat et! - Be careful!)
- Of!: Expresses boredom, annoyance, pain. (Of, çok sıkıldım! - Ugh, I'm so bored!)
- Yaşasın!: Hooray! Long live! (Yaşasın, kazandık! - Hooray, we won!)
- Merhaba!: Hello!
- Hoşça kal / Hoşça kalın!: Goodbye (said by the one leaving).
- Güle güle!: Goodbye (said by the one staying).
These words add color and emotion to spoken and written Turkish.
Practice Zone
1. What does 'Ben de geldim.' mean?