Yalayarak

Yalayarak is a Turkish adverbial participle meaning “by rocking” or “while rocking.” It is formed from a Turkish verb meaning to rock or sway, with the suffix -arak to create an adverbial participle. The -arak/-erek pattern marks the manner in which the action of the main verb is carried out, so yalayarak describes actions performed with a rocking or swaying motion.

In usage, yalayarak appears in narrative and descriptive prose to convey a specific manner of action. It often describes gentle, continuous motions associated with soothing or comforting activities, such as rocking a cradle or chair, but the form can also describe other scenes where a rocking or back-and-forth motion is involved. The exact nuance depends on the surrounding context and the main verb it accompanies.

Yalayarak is one of several Turkish adverbial participles formed with the -arak/-erek suffix. It is typically contrasted with other forms that convey different manners of action, such as yürüyerek (by walking) or gülerek (smiling as one does). While it can replace more explicit phrases in some contexts, it is most natural when a rocking or swaying motion is central to the described action.

See also Turkish grammar, adverbial participles, -arak suffix.