kök: the root of a plant

The idea

Kök means root. The definite object is kökü, the plural is kökler, and kökte means “at or in the root”. The final k remains k before the vowel in kökü.

Examples

• Bitkinin kökü toprağın altında.The plant’s root is under the soil.
• Bahçıvan kökü dikkatle temizledi.The gardener carefully cleaned the root.
• Kökler suyu topraktan alır.Roots take water from the soil.
• Ağacın kökleri çok derine uzanıyor.The tree’s roots reach very deep.
• Bu kök sağlam görünüyor.This root looks healthy.
• Bu kökte küçük bir leke var.There is a small spot on this root.

Watch out

Do not change the final k to ğ in kökü. After the voiceless k, the location suffix in kökte begins with t.

Try it yourself

1. The gardener cleaned the root. (specific object) Bahçıvan ___ temizledi.

   Show answer or example answer

   kökü

   kökü: the definite object takes -ü and retains k.

2. Roots take water from the soil. (plural) ___ suyu topraktan alır.

   Show answer or example answer

   kökler

   kökler: plural -ler follows the noun directly.

3. There is a small spot on this root. (location) Bu ___ küçük bir leke var.

   Show answer or example answer

   kökte

   kökte: after voiceless k, the locative suffix is -te.

Use it today

Describe where a plant’s roots are and what they take from the soil.