Görülürken

Görülürken is a Turkish adverbial conjunction formed from the passive verb görülmek (to be seen) and the temporal suffix -ken, meaning “while it is seen” or “as it is seen.” It introduces a dependent clause that describes a concurrent action or background circumstance relative to the main clause. The form signals temporality and simultaneity in narrative or descriptive text.

Morphology and formation: görülmek is the infinitive in the passive voice of the root gör- (to see). The finite present passive form görülür is used in the subordinate clause, and adding -ken creates the adverbial clause meaning “while … is seen.” The construction is primarily a past or present-tense marker depending on the surrounding clauses, and the subject is typically inferred from context.

Usage: Görülürken is more common in formal or literary Turkish and appears in written texts, though it can occur in careful speech. It links actions that occur at the same time or under the same perception, often providing background detail for the main event. Turkish grammar allows some flexibility in subject agreement between the clauses, but the sense remains that the described state of being seen accompanies the main action.

Examples:

- Görülürken ışıklar kararırken, odadakiler sustu. (As the lights dimmed, those in the room grew quiet.)

- Görülürken köprüden geçen araçlar yavaşladı. (While it was being seen [as they passed], the vehicles on the bridge slowed down.)

See also: Turkish grammar, -ken, passive voice, gör- (to see), görülmek.