33 Comments
Could books be kitaplar and if so which is preferable. Couldn't the sentence as written be taken (out of context) to mean 'a book'?
Books cannot be "kitaplar" in this sentence. It is a nonspecific direct object, which remains in the singular. The sentence can mean both "books" and "a book." If you really want to distinguish, you can can "bir" in front of book to mean "one book."
Ok, thanks! So if I understand you, 'nonspecific' plural direct objects, remain in the singular? If it were 'these books' -- as in 'she writes these books -- would 'books' then be used in its plural form? Maybe 'bunlar kitaplar'? Sorry to trouble you with these questions.
I think if they were specific books they would have to be in definite-accusative case: kitapları. However, I would also like to know how you could specify that they write not just one, but several, not specified books, or "some" books.
- They write books: Onlar kitap yazar. (Here we would usually assume it is more than one book)
- They write a book: Onlar (bir) kitap yazar.
- They write a few books: Onlar birkaç kitap yazar.
- They write several books: Onlar birçok kitap yazar.
- They write the books: Kitapları onlar yazar. (Onlar kitapları yazar is OK too)
- They write these books: Bu kitapları onlar yazar (Onlar bu kitapları yazar is OK too)
etc. Let me know if you have further questions.
Thanks! That seems quite straightforward: If you want to specify the amount, just do it with a word describing that amount. Is that correct? I.e. "bir / iki / üç / birkaç / birçok kitap" would all specify the amount of the general concept "kitap" without making it definite, and they all work in the same way?
Another question: Do "birkaç" and "birçok" really very literally translate to "one-(how-many)" and "one-much"?
(Oh, by the way, I meant "they" in the singular sense (although I didn't make it clear), but I don't think it really changes things.)
Can u please explain to me what is meant by nonspecific direct object ...and how can be indirect or specific
Wait does this not go 'an author, book author' ...? where did the writing come in?
Yazmak is the verb 'to write', so "yazar" is the conjugated 3rd person form, meaning "s/he writes" . Also 'yazar' is the word for "author". I hope I have that right. If not someone more knowledgable (e.g. Selcen) could correct it. Think of it as "An author authors books".
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So yazar is also a verb for writing?
If so this would make more sense to me.
Yes, that's exactly right...
- yazmak = to write (infinitive)
- yazıyor = he/she is writing (present continuous)
- yazar = he/she writes (simple present /aorist)
Things would be easier if they called a writer a "yazcı", but no such luck, haha! :-)
Is "an author authors books" not accepted for a reason? Is there a difference between "writes" and "authors" in Turkish?
I would see two possible issues with this translation. I view the verb "to author" closer to meaning with "to create" than "to write."
Also, I don't think I have ever seen the noun "author" and the verb "author" in the same sentence...it sounds a little clunky. I don't think it is wrong, but it sounds a little strange :)
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It may sound strange but it has the same satisfying ring to it that bir yazar kitap yazar does so (IMO) ıt should be allowed.
yazar (writer) is one of the exceptions to the handy "just add a suffix" to make a profession short-cut. Other exceptions include: avukat (lawyer), mühendis (engineer), and berber (barbar).
Not for this sentence, but in general yes, it is grammatically correct.
Onlar yazar(lar) = They write
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A writer writes books? No way! Next you're going to tell me that a singer sings songs or that a painter paints pictures.
