A calque carries the wording of one language into another. Some become established expressions; others sound unnatural or change the message. At B2, check whether a translation describes the same event, even when every word and suffix looks correct.
The idea
First paraphrase the intended action, then choose a Turkish expression as a unit: deciding is karar vermek or karar almak, photographing is fotoğraf çekmek, and spending time together is birlikte vakit geçirmek. Do not assign a single Turkish verb to every use of “make”, “take” or “spend”. English “miss” also splits by meaning: otobüsü kaçırmak means failing to catch the bus; birini özlemek means feeling their absence. This is a method for checking expressions, not a list of idioms to memorise.
Examples
- Kurul sonunda karar verdi.The committee finally made a decision.
- Burada birlikte vakit geçiriyoruz.We are spending time together here.
- Çocuklar avluda fotoğraf çekiyor.The children are taking photos in the courtyard.
- Son otobüsü kaçırmamak için toplantıdan erken ayrıldık.We left the meeting early so as not to miss the last bus.
- Eski komşularımı özlüyorum ama onlarla hâlâ görüşüyorum.I miss my former neighbours, but I still see them.
- Bu sabah arkadaşımızdan iki fotoğraf aldık.We received two photos from our friend this morning.
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Watch out
Do not label every literal-looking phrase impossible. Arkadaşımdan bir fotoğraf aldım can mean that I received a photo from a friend. It does not describe pressing the camera button. If photographing is intended, choose fotoğraf çektim. Correct grammar alone cannot settle which event you mean.
Try it yourself
After a long discussion, we made a decision. Fill the gap with the past “we” form of vermek or almak; both are accepted.
Show answer or example answer
verdik / aldık
verdik / aldık: after the discussion, we reached a decision. Both verbs form an established combination with karar; nobody has to hand over a physical object.
The camera is ready; now we are taking photos. Choose çekiyoruz or alıyoruz.
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çekiyoruz
çekiyoruz: the ready camera shows that we are creating an image now. Alıyoruz would suggest obtaining a photo in a different situation.
The bus left before we arrived; we missed it. Choose kaçırdık or özledik.
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kaçırdık
kaçırdık: the bus had already left when we arrived, so the problem is a missed departure, not a feeling of longing.
I want to meet my former neighbours again; I miss them. Choose özlüyorum or kaçırıyorum.
Show answer or example answer
özlüyorum
özlüyorum: wanting to meet the former neighbours again expresses their absence. Kaçırıyorum would not convey that feeling.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Turkish sentences and words where available. We keep your score.
After a long discussion, we made a decision. Fill the gap with the past “we” form of vermek or almak; both are accepted.
The camera is ready; now we are taking photos. Choose çekiyoruz or alıyoruz.
The bus left before we arrived; we missed it. Choose kaçırdık or özledik.
I want to meet my former neighbours again; I miss them. Choose özlüyorum or kaçırıyorum.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Write two short situations: taking a photo and receiving one. Describe each in Turkish and explain your verb choice. Then paraphrase an expression from your own language before translating it; use the linked word-order lesson to check the finished sentence.