40 Essential Turkish Idioms to Master
Level up your fluency. Explore the top 40 common idioms in Turkish, complete with literal translations, real-life conversation examples, and audio playback.
Damlaya damlaya göl olur
Pronunciation: [damlaja damlaja ɟœl oluɾ]
Literal Translation:"By dripping drop by drop it becomes a lake"
Meaning:Small savings or steps accumulate to a large amount over time.
Her gün biraz para biriktiriyorum, sonuçta damlaya damlaya göl olur.
I save some money every day; after all, drop by drop makes a lake.
Tereyağından kıl çeker gibi
Pronunciation: [teɾejaːɯndan kɯl tʃekeɾ ɟibi]
Literal Translation:"Like pulling a hair out of butter"
Meaning:To do something extremely easily, smoothly, and without any trouble.
Bu işi tereyağından kıl çeker gibi hallettik.
We handled this job extremely easily, like pulling a hair out of butter.
Damlaya damlaya göl olur
Pronunciation: [damlaja damlaja ɟœl oluɾ]
Literal Translation:"By dripping drop by drop it becomes a lake"
Meaning:Small savings or steps accumulate to a large amount over time.
Her gün biraz para biriktiriyorum, sonuçta damlaya damlaya göl olur.
I save some money every day; after all, drop by drop makes a lake.
Tereyağından kıl çeker gibi
Pronunciation: [teɾejaːɯndan kɯl tʃekeɾ ɟibi]
Literal Translation:"Like pulling a hair out of butter"
Meaning:To do something extremely easily, smoothly, and without any trouble.
Bu işi tereyağından kıl çeker gibi hallettik.
We handled this job extremely easily, like pulling a hair out of butter.
İki karpuz bir koltuğa sığmaz
Pronunciation: [iki kaɾpuz biɾ koltuːa sɯɯmaz]
Literal Translation:"Two watermelons don't fit under one armpit"
Meaning:One cannot handle two major demanding tasks simultaneously.
Hem çalışıp hem iki üniversite okuyamazsın, iki karpuz bir koltuğa sığmaz.
You can't work and study at two universities at once.
Etekleri zil çalmak
Pronunciation: [etecleɾi zil tʃalmac]
Literal Translation:"The hems of one's skirts are ringing bells"
Meaning:To be extremely joyful, excited, and delighted.
Sınavı kazandığını öğrenince etekleri zil çaldı.
When she learned that she passed the exam, she was thrilled to bits.
Sinekten yağ çıkarmak
Pronunciation: [sinecten jaː tʃɯcaɾmac]
Literal Translation:"Extracting oil from a fly"
Meaning:To extract profit from the most insignificant things or be excessively stingy.
O kadar cimri ki sinekten yağ çıkarmaya çalışıyor.
He is so stingy that he tries to squeeze blood from a stone.
Ağzı kulaklarına varmak
Pronunciation: [aːzɯ kulaclaɾɯna vaɾmac]
Literal Translation:"One's mouth reaches one's ears"
Meaning:To grin broadly and smile from ear to ear due to immense happiness.
Müjdeyi alınca ağzı kulaklarına vardı.
When he got the good news, he was grinning from ear to ear.
Bal dök de yala
Pronunciation: [bal dœc de jala]
Literal Translation:"Pour honey and lick it up"
Meaning:Extremely clean and spotless.
Evi öyle bir temizledi ki bal dök de yala.
She cleaned the house so thoroughly that you could eat off the floor.
Bin dereden su getirmek
Pronunciation: [bin deɾeden su ɟetiɾmec]
Literal Translation:"Bringing water from a thousand streams"
Meaning:To make endless excuses to avoid doing something.
Borcunu ödememek için bin dereden su getirdi.
He made a thousand excuses to avoid paying his debt.
Çam devirmek
Pronunciation: [tʃam deviɾmec]
Literal Translation:"To knock down a pine tree"
Meaning:To make a tactless blunder or embarrassing faux pas in conversation.
Toplantıda yine büyük bir çam devirdi.
He put his foot in his mouth and made a huge blunder again at the meeting.
Çantada keklik
Pronunciation: [tʃantada ceclic]
Literal Translation:"Partridge in the bag"
Meaning:Something that is guaranteed, easily achieved, or already secured.
Bu maçı çantada keklik sanmayın.
Don't think this match is a sure thing.
Dili pabuç kadar
Pronunciation: [dili pabutʃ kadar]
Literal Translation:"Tongue as big as a shoe"
Meaning:Very insolent, sharp-tongued, and rude in speaking back.
Dili pabuç kadar olduğu için herkese cevap veriyor.
Because he is so sharp-tongued, he talks back to everyone.
Dile kolay
Pronunciation: [dile kolay]
Literal Translation:"Easy for the tongue"
Meaning:Easier said than done; simple to say but hard to achieve.
Dile kolay, tam otuz yıl aynı şirkette çalıştı.
Easier said than done, he worked at the same company for thirty years.
Dolap çevirmek
Pronunciation: [dolap tʃeviɾmec]
Literal Translation:"Turning a cupboard"
Meaning:To scheme, plot, or engage in secret dealings.
Arkadan ne dolaplar çevirdiğini biliyorum.
I know what scheming you are doing behind my back.
Dostlar alışverişte görsün
Pronunciation: [dostlaɾ alɯʃveɾiʃte ɟœɾsyn]
Literal Translation:"Let friends see one shopping"
Meaning:To do an activity merely for show rather than genuine intent.
Dostlar alışverişte görsün diye iki dakika uğradı.
He dropped by for two minutes just to show his face.
Eşek sudan gelinceye kadar
Pronunciation: [eʃec sudan ɟelindʒeje kadar]
Literal Translation:"Until the donkey comes back from water"
Meaning:For a very long time, or giving someone a sound beating.
Eşek sudan gelinceye kadar dayak yedi.
He got beaten up thoroughly for a long time.
Göz boyamak
Pronunciation: [ɟœz bojamac]
Literal Translation:"To paint eyes"
Meaning:To deceive someone by creating a false impressive appearance.
Sadece göz boyamak için böyle davranıyor.
He acts like this just to pull the wool over people's eyes.
Göz kulak olmak
Pronunciation: [ɟœz kulak olmac]
Literal Translation:"To be eye and ear"
Meaning:To watch over, take care of, or keep an eye on someone or something.
Çocuklara biraz göz kulak olabilir misin?
Could you keep an eye on the children for a bit?
Gözden düşmek
Pronunciation: [ɟœzden dyʃmec]
Literal Translation:"To fall from the eye"
Meaning:To lose favor or respect in someone's eyes.
Yalan söyleyince müdürün gözünden düştü.
He fell out of favor with the manager after telling a lie.
Gözü yükseklerde olmak
Pronunciation: [ɟœzy jycsecleɾde olmac]
Literal Translation:"One's eye is in high places"
Meaning:To have great ambitions and aspire for high status.
Onun gözü her zaman yükseklerde oldu.
He has always set his sights high.
Hafife almak
Pronunciation: [hafife almac]
Literal Translation:"To take lightweight"
Meaning:To underestimate or not take a situation seriously.
Rakibini asla hafife almamalısın.
You should never underestimate your opponent.
Hapı yutmak
Pronunciation: [hapɯ jutmac]
Literal Translation:"To swallow the pill"
Meaning:To get into serious trouble or be ruined.
Ödevi unutursak hapı yuttuk demektir.
If we forget the homework, we're in big trouble.
Havadan sudan konuşmak
Pronunciation: [havadan sudan konuʃmac]
Literal Translation:"To talk of air and water"
Meaning:To engage in light small talk about casual non-essential topics.
Kahve içip havadan sudan konuştuk.
We drank coffee and made small talk.
İçi içine sığmamak
Pronunciation: [itʃi itʃine sɯɯmamac]
Literal Translation:"One's inside doesn't fit inside"
Meaning:To overflow with joy, excitement, and impatience.
Tatile gideceği için içi içine sığmıyordu.
She couldn't contain her excitement because she was going on vacation.
İğne ile kuyu kazmak
Pronunciation: [iːne ile kuju kazmac]
Literal Translation:"Digging a well with a needle"
Meaning:To accomplish a difficult task through painstaking slow labor.
Bu araştırmayı tamamlamak iğne ile kuyu kazmak gibiydi.
Completing this research was like digging a well with a needle.
İki ayağını bir pabuca sokmak
Pronunciation: [iki ajaːɯnɯ biɾ pabudʒa sokmac]
Literal Translation:"Putting two feet into one shoe"
Meaning:To rush someone unnecessarily and cause panic.
Beni acele ettirip iki ayağımı bir pabuca sokma.
Don't rush me and put me in a panic.
İpini koparmak
Pronunciation: [ipini kopaɾmac]
Literal Translation:"To snap one's rope"
Meaning:To break free from restraint and act uncontrollably.
Okullar tatil olunca çocuklar ipini kopardı.
When school broke up, the kids went wild.
İpliği pazara çıkmak
Pronunciation: [ipliːi pazaɾa tʃɯkmac]
Literal Translation:"One's thread comes to the market"
Meaning:For one's secret wrongdoings or deceits to be publicly exposed.
Yalancının ipliği sonunda pazara çıktı.
The liar's true colors were finally exposed to everyone.
İşten bile değil
Pronunciation: [iʃten bile deːil]
Literal Translation:"Not even work"
Meaning:Extremely easy, effortless, or simple to accomplish.
Bu problemi çözmek benim için işten bile değil.
Solving this problem is a piece of cake for me.
Kabuğuna çekilmek
Pronunciation: [kabuuːna tʃecilmec]
Literal Translation:"To withdraw into one's shell"
Meaning:To isolate oneself and become quiet or unsociable.
Üzüntüsünden günlerce kabuğuna çekildi.
Because of his grief, he retreated into his shell for days.
Kafa patlatmak
Pronunciation: [kafa patlatmac]
Literal Translation:"To explode one's head"
Meaning:To think very intensely about a complex issue.
Bu zor soru için saatlerce kafa patlattı.
He racked his brains for hours over this difficult question.
Kafasını dinlemek
Pronunciation: [kafasɯnɯ dinlemec]
Literal Translation:"To listen to one's head"
Meaning:To relax in peace and enjoy quiet time away from stress.
Hafta sonu köye gidip kafamı dinleyeceğim.
On the weekend I'll go to the village and enjoy some peace and quiet.
Kalbi kırılmak
Pronunciation: [kalbi kɯɾɯlmac]
Literal Translation:"One's heart to be broken"
Meaning:To feel deeply hurt and offended emotionally.
Sert sözlerin yüzünden kalbi çok kırıldı.
His heart was deeply broken because of your harsh words.
Karda yürüyüp izini belli etmemek
Pronunciation: [kaɾda jyɾyjyp izini belli etmemec]
Literal Translation:"Walking in snow without leaving footprints"
Meaning:To act stealthily and cunningly without leaving any trace.
Karda yürüyüp izini belli etmeyen kurnaz bir adamdır.
He is a sly man who operates without leaving a trace.
Kaş yapayım derken göz çıkarmak
Pronunciation: [kaʃ japajɯm deɾcen ɟœz tʃɯkaɾmac]
Literal Translation:"Plucking an eye while trying to make an eyebrow"
Meaning:To ruin something completely while attempting to improve it.
Yardım etmek isterken kaş yapayım derken göz çıkardı.
While trying to help, he made things worse.
Kendi göbeğini kendi kesmek
Pronunciation: [cendi ɟœbeːini cendi cesmec]
Literal Translation:"Cutting one's own umbilical cord"
Meaning:To solve one's problems independently without relying on others.
Kimseye muhtaç olmadan kendi göbeğini kendi kesti.
He solved his own problem without relying on anyone else.
Kılını bile kıpırdatmamak
Pronunciation: [kɯlɯnɯ bile kɯpɯɾdatmamac]
Literal Translation:"Not even moving one's hair"
Meaning:To not lift a finger or make any effort to help.
Biz çalışırken o kılını bile kıpırdatmadı.
While we were working, he didn't lift a finger.
Kulak kabartmak
Pronunciation: [kulak kabaɾtmac]
Literal Translation:"To raise an ear"
Meaning:To listen discreetly or eavesdrop on a conversation.
Yan masadaki konuşmaya istemeden kulak kabarttı.
She unintentionally eavesdropped on the conversation at the next table.
Kulak arkası etmek
Pronunciation: [kulak aɾkasɯ etmec]
Literal Translation:"To put behind the ear"
Meaning:To ignore or disregard advice or warnings.
Doktorun tavsiyelerini kulak arkası etti.
He turned a deaf ear to the doctor's advice.
Kulağına küpe olmak
Pronunciation: [kulaːɯna cype olmac]
Literal Translation:"To become an earring in one's ear"
Meaning:To remember a lesson or warning permanently.
Bu yaşadığı olay kulağına küpe oldu.
This incident served as a lasting lesson for him.
Küplere binmek
Pronunciation: [cypleɾe binmec]
Literal Translation:"To ride on storage jars"
Meaning:To fly into a rage and become furious.
Arabasının çizildiğini görünce küplere bindi.
When he saw his car was scratched, he flew into a rage.
Lafı ağzında gevelemek
Pronunciation: [lafɯ aːzɯnda ɟevelemec]
Literal Translation:"To mumble the word in one's mouth"
Meaning:To beat around the bush instead of speaking clearly.
Lafı ağzında geveleme, ne söyleyeceksen söyle.
Stop beating around the bush and say what you have to say.
Maymun iştahlı
Pronunciation: [majmun iʃtahlɯ]
Literal Translation:"Monkey-appetited"
Meaning:Fickle and quickly losing interest in hobbies or tasks.
Maymun iştahlı olduğu için her gün yeni bir hobiye başlıyor.
Because he is so fickle, he starts a new hobby every day.
Ağzında bakla ıslanmamak
Pronunciation: [aːzɯnda bakla ɯslanmamac]
Literal Translation:"Not having a broad bean wet in one's mouth"
Meaning:To be unable to keep a secret.
Ona sır verme, ağzında bakla ıslanmaz.
Don't tell him a secret; he can't keep a secret.
Aklını başından almak
Pronunciation: [aklɯnɯ baʃɯndan almac]
Literal Translation:"To take one's mind from one's head"
Meaning:To fascinate, enchant, or overwhelm someone.
Manzara güzelliğiyle aklımı başımdan aldı.
The view blew my mind with its beauty.
Alın teri dökmek
Pronunciation: [alɯn teɾi dœcmec]
Literal Translation:"To shed forehead sweat"
Meaning:To work hard and earn by honest labor.
Bu parayı kazanmak için yıllarca alın teri döktü.
He worked hard for years to earn this money.
Astarı yüzünden pahalı olmak
Pronunciation: [astaɾɯ jyzynden pahalɯ olmac]
Literal Translation:"The lining costing more than the face"
Meaning:When repair or maintenance costs more than the item itself.
Arabayı tamir ettirmek astarı yüzünden pahalıya geldi.
Repairing the car cost more than the car was worth.
Ateş pahası
Pronunciation: [ateʃ pahasɯ]
Literal Translation:"Price of fire"
Meaning:Exorbitantly expensive.
Pazardaki sebzelerin fiyatı ateş pahası.
The price of vegetables at the market is sky-high.
Aynası iştir kişinin lafa bakılmaz
Pronunciation: [ajnasɯ iʃtiɾ ciʃinin lafa bakɯlmaz]
Literal Translation:"A person's mirror is their work, words don't count"
Meaning:Actions speak louder than words.
Aynası iştir kişinin lafa bakılmaz, icraat göster.
Actions speak louder than words; show your results.
Ayıkla pirincin taşını
Pronunciation: [ajɯkla piɾindʒin taʃɯnɯ]
Literal Translation:"Sort out the stones of the rice"
Meaning:Dealing with a complicated messy situation.
Şimdi gel de ayıkla pirincin taşını.
Now try to fix this complicated mess.
Başa kakmak
Pronunciation: [baʃa kakmac]
Literal Translation:"To knock against the head"
Meaning:To constantly remind someone of a past favor in an annoying way.
Yaptığın iyiliği sürekli başıma kakma.
Don't constantly rub the favor you did in my face.
Bardağı taşıran son damla
Pronunciation: [baɾdaːɯ taʃɯɾan son damla]
Literal Translation:"The last drop that overflows the glass"
Meaning:The final straw that triggers an outburst.
Onun bu saygısızlığı bardağı taşıran son damla oldu.
His disrespect was the final straw.
Büyük lokma ye büyük söz söyleme
Pronunciation: [byjyc lokma je byjyc sœz sœjleme]
Literal Translation:"Eat a big bite but don't speak a big word"
Meaning:Don't boast arrogantly about the future.
Büyük konuşma, büyük lokma ye büyük söz söyleme.
Don't boast; pride comes before a fall.
Can kulağıyla dinlemek
Pronunciation: [dʒan kulaːɯjla dinlemec]
Literal Translation:"To listen with the soul's ear"
Meaning:To listen with intense attention and enthusiasm.
Öğretmenin anlattıklarını can kulağıyla dinledi.
He listened to the teacher's explanation with rapt attention.
Cana yakın
Pronunciation: [dʒana jakɯn]
Literal Translation:"Close to the soul"
Meaning:Warm-hearted, friendly, and amiable.
Yeni komşumuz son derece cana yakın bir insan.
Our new neighbor is an extremely warm-hearted person.
Çamur atmak
Pronunciation: [tʃamuɾ atmac]
Literal Translation:"To throw mud"
Meaning:To slander or defame someone's reputation.
Dürüst insanlara çamur atmak çok kolaydır.
It is easy to throw mud at honest people.
Çıldırmış gibi olmak
Pronunciation: [tʃɯldɯɾmɯʃ ɟibi olmac]
Literal Translation:"To be like gone mad"
Meaning:To be extremely enraged or overly ecstatic.
Haber duyulunca herkes çıldırmış gibi oldu.
When the news broke out, everyone went wild.
Çorbada tuzu bulunmak
Pronunciation: [tʃoɾbada tuzu bulunmac]
Literal Translation:"Having salt in the soup"
Meaning:Making a small contribution to a group effort.
Bu başarıda bizim de çorbada tuzumuz bulundu.
We also made a small contribution to this success.
Damarına basmak
Pronunciation: [damaɾɯna basmac]
Literal Translation:"To press on someone's vein"
Meaning:To provoke someone by hitting their sensitive spot.
Onun damarına basarsan çok çabuk sinirlenir.
If you push his buttons, he gets angry very quickly.
Denize düşen yılana sarılır
Pronunciation: [denize dyʃen jɯlana saɾɯlɯɾ]
Literal Translation:"One who falls into the sea clings to a snake"
Meaning:Desperate people accept help even from dangerous sources.
Çaresiz kalıp denize düşen yılana sarılır misali teklifi kabul etti.
Desperate for help, he accepted the offer as a last resort.
Dertsiz başına dert açmak
Pronunciation: [deɾtsiz baʃɯna deɾt atʃmac]
Literal Translation:"Bringing trouble to one's trouble-free head"
Meaning:Creating unnecessary problems for oneself.
Durup dururken dertsiz başına dert açtın.
You created unnecessary trouble for yourself out of nowhere.
Deveye hendek atlatmak
Pronunciation: [deveje hendec atlatmac]
Literal Translation:"Making a camel jump over a ditch"
Meaning:Attempting an almost impossible task requiring extreme persuasion.
Onu ikna etmek deveye hendek atlatmaktan zor.
Persuading him is harder than making a camel jump a ditch.
Dökülen su geri gelmez
Pronunciation: [dœcylen su ɟeɾi ɟelmez]
Literal Translation:"Spilled water does not come back"
Meaning:What is done cannot be undone.
Üzülme artık, dökülen su geri gelmez.
Don't be sad anymore; what's done is done.
Dört gözle beklemek
Pronunciation: [dœɾt ɟœzle beclemec]
Literal Translation:"To wait with four eyes"
Meaning:To look forward to something eagerly.
Tatile çıkacağı günü dört gözle bekliyor.
She is eagerly looking forward to the day she goes on vacation.
Dünyadan haberi olmamak
Pronunciation: [dynjadan habeɾi olmamac]
Literal Translation:"Having no news of the world"
Meaning:To be completely oblivious to reality.
Etrafında olup bitenden dünyadan haberi yok.
He is completely oblivious to what is happening around him.
Ekmeğini taştan çıkarmak
Pronunciation: [ecmeːini taʃtan tʃɯkaɾmac]
Literal Translation:"Extracting one's bread from stone"
Meaning:To earn a living in harsh and demanding conditions.
Çalışkan adamdır, ekmeğini taştan çıkarır.
He is a hard worker who earns his living under any conditions.
El üstünde tutmak
Pronunciation: [el ystynde tutmac]
Literal Translation:"To hold above hands"
Meaning:To treat someone with utmost respect and affection.
Misafirlerini her zaman el üstünde tutar.
He always treats his guests with high honor and respect.
Eline ayağına kapanmak
Pronunciation: [eline ajaːɯna kapanmac]
Literal Translation:"To fall at someone's hands and feet"
Meaning:To beg someone desperately for forgiveness or mercy.
Affedilmek için eline ayağına kapandı.
He begged on his knees for forgiveness.
Elini taşın altına koymak
Pronunciation: [elini taʃɯn altɯna kojmac]
Literal Translation:"Putting one's hand under the stone"
Meaning:To take responsibility and initiative in a difficult situation.
Herkesin elini taşın altına koyması gerekiyor.
Everyone needs to step up and take responsibility.
Gözünü dört açmak
Pronunciation: [ɟœzyny dœɾt atʃmac]
Literal Translation:"To open one's eye as four"
Meaning:To be extremely vigilant and alert.
Karanlık sokakta gözünü dört açarak yürüdü.
He walked down the dark street staying extremely alert.
Gözünün yaşına bakmamak
Pronunciation: [ɟœzynyn jaʃɯna bakmamac]
Literal Translation:"Not looking at the tear of one's eye"
Meaning:To show no mercy or leniency.
Kuralı ihlal edenin gözünün yaşına bakmazlar.
They show no mercy to anyone who breaks the rules.
Gülle gibi girmek
Pronunciation: [ɟylle ɟibi ɟiɾmec]
Literal Translation:"To enter like a cannonball"
Meaning:To burst into a room abruptly and noisily.
Odaya gülle gibi girip herkesi korkuttu.
He burst into the room like a cannonball and startled everyone.
Gülme komşuna gelir başına
Pronunciation: [ɟylme komʃuna ɟeliɾ baʃɯna]
Literal Translation:"Don't laugh at your neighbor, it will happen to you"
Meaning:Don't mock others' misfortune as you may suffer the same.
Başkalarının dertlerine gülme, gülme komşuna gelir başına.
Don't mock others' misfortune; it might happen to you.
Güneş girmeyen eve doktor girer
Pronunciation: [ɟyneʃ ɟiɾmeyen eve doktoɾ ɟiɾeɾ]
Literal Translation:"A doctor enters a house where the sun doesn't enter"
Meaning:Sunlight and good hygiene are vital for health.
Evi sık sık havalandırın, güneş girmeyen eve doktor girer.
Ventilate the house often; sunshine brings good health.
Haddini bilmek
Pronunciation: [haddini bilmec]
Literal Translation:"To know one's limit"
Meaning:To know one's boundaries and behave respectfully.
Herkes haddini bilmeli ve saygılı olmalı.
Everyone should know their limits and be respectful.
Hayırdır inşallah
Pronunciation: [hajɯɾdɯɾ inʃallah]
Literal Translation:"May it be good, God willing"
Meaning:Used when seeing a strange dream or unexpected occurrence.
Rüyamda garip şeyler gördüm, hayırdır inşallah.
I saw strange things in my dream; hopefully it's a good omen.
Hazıra dağ dayanmaz
Pronunciation: [hazɯɾa daː dajanmaz]
Literal Translation:"Even a mountain doesn't last on ready wealth"
Meaning:Continuous spending without earning drains any wealth.
Çalışmadan harcarsan hazıra dağ dayanmaz.
If you spend without working, even a fortune will run out.
Her işte bir hayır vardır
Pronunciation: [heɾ iʃte biɾ hajɯɾ vaɾdɯɾ]
Literal Translation:"There is good in every event"
Meaning:Every setback has a hidden blessing or silver lining.
Üzülme, her işte bir hayır vardır.
Don't worry; every cloud has a silver lining.
Her horoz kendi çöplüğünde öter
Pronunciation: [heɾ hoɾoz cendi tʃœplyːynde œteɾ]
Literal Translation:"Every rooster crows on its own dung heap"
Meaning:Everyone feels confident and dominant in their own domain.
Kendi evinde cesurdur, her horoz kendi çöplüğünde öter.
He is confident at home; every rooster crows on its own turf.
İki dinle bir söyle
Pronunciation: [iki dinle biɾ sœjle]
Literal Translation:"Listen twice, speak once"
Meaning:Listen carefully before offering your opinion.
Toplantılarda iki dinle bir söyle prensibini uygular.
In meetings he applies the principle of listening twice and speaking once.
İki elin kanda olsa bile gel
Pronunciation: [iki elin kanda olsa bile ɟel]
Literal Translation:"Come even if your two hands are covered in blood"
Meaning:Come immediately no matter how busy or critical your situation.
Acil bir durum var, iki elin kanda olsa bile gel.
It's an emergency; come immediately no matter what.
İki yüzlü
Pronunciation: [iki jyzly]
Literal Translation:"Two-faced"
Meaning:Hypocritical and deceitful.
İki yüzlü insanlara asla güvenmem.
I never trust two-faced people.
İyilik eden iyilik bulur
Pronunciation: [ijilic eden ijilic buluɾ]
Literal Translation:"One who does good finds good"
Meaning:Good deeds are rewarded with kindness.
Her zaman yardım et, iyilik eden iyilik bulur.
Always help others; kindness is its own reward.
İğneyi kendine çuvaldızı başkasına batır
Pronunciation: [iːneyi cendine tʃuvaldɯzɯ baʃkasɯna batɯɾ]
Literal Translation:"Prick yourself with a needle, others with a darning needle"
Meaning:Judge your own faults before criticizing others heavily.
Eleştirmeden önce iğneyi kendine çuvaldızı başkasına batır.
Examine your own faults before criticizing others.
İpi göğüslemek
Pronunciation: [ipi ɟœɣyslemec]
Literal Translation:"To breast the tape"
Meaning:To finish first and win a race or competition.
Zorlu yarışta ipi göğüsleyen taraf biz olduk.
We were the ones who crossed the finish line first in the tough competition.
İşini kış tut yaz çıkarsa bahtına
Pronunciation: [iʃini kɯʃ tut jaz tʃɯkaɾsa bahtɯna]
Literal Translation:"Prepare for winter, if summer comes it's your luck"
Meaning:Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.
Her zaman tedbirli ol, işini kış tut yaz çıkarsa bahtına.
Always take precautions; hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
İti an çomağı hazırla
Pronunciation: [iti an tʃomaːɯ hazɯɾla]
Literal Translation:"Mention the dog, prepare the stick"
Meaning:Speak of the devil and he appears.
İti an çomağı hazırla, bak kendisi de geldi.
Speak of the devil, look who just arrived.
Kendi ayağına sıkmak
Pronunciation: [cendi ajaːɯna sɯkmac]
Literal Translation:"To shoot oneself in the foot"
Meaning:To inadvertently damage one's own interests.
Bu kararla kendi ayağına sıktın.
With this decision, you shot yourself in the foot.
Kendi düşen ağlamaz
Pronunciation: [cendi dyʃen aːlamaz]
Literal Translation:"One who falls by themselves doesn't cry"
Meaning:You can't complain about consequences of your own choices.
Uyarılara uymadın, kendi düşen ağlamaz.
You ignored the warnings; you have only yourself to blame.
Kendi yağıyla kavrulmak
Pronunciation: [cendi jaːɯjla kavɾulmac]
Literal Translation:"To be roasted in one's own fat"
Meaning:To live self-sufficiently without external help.
Küçük dükkanımız kendi yağıyla kavruluyor.
Our small shop manages to get by self-sufficiently.
Kırk yılda bir
Pronunciation: [kɯɾk jɯlda biɾ]
Literal Translation:"Once in forty years"
Meaning:Once in a blue moon; very rarely.
Kırk yılda bir sinemaya gideriz.
We go to the cinema once in a blue moon.
Koyun can derdinde kasap yağ derdinde
Pronunciation: [kojun dʒan deɾdinde kasap jaː deɾdinde]
Literal Translation:"The sheep worries for life, the butcher worries for fat"
Meaning:Different people have vastly conflicting priorities in crisis.
Herkes kendi çıkarını düşünüyor, koyun can derdinde kasap yağ derdinde.
Everyone thinks of their own interest when crisis hits.
Körle yatana şaşı kalkan
Pronunciation: [cœɾle jatana ʃaʃɯ kalkan]
Literal Translation:"One who sleeps with the blind gets up cross-eyed"
Meaning:Bad company corrupts good habits.
Arkadaşlarına dikkat et, körle yatan şaşı kalkar.
Mind your company; you pick up the habits of those you hang around with.
Köstek olmak
Pronunciation: [cœstec olmac]
Literal Translation:"To be a hobble/shackle"
Meaning:To hinder, obstruct, or impede progress.
Destek olmuyorsun bari köstek olma.
If you're not going to help, at least don't stand in the way.
Kulağı delik
Pronunciation: [kulaːɯ delic]
Literal Translation:"Pierced ear"
Meaning:Well-informed, having good sources of information.
Onun kulağı deliktir, her haberi önceden alır.
He is well-informed and gets every news story in advance.
Kurşun dökmek
Pronunciation: [kuɾʃun dœcmec]
Literal Translation:"To pour molten lead"
Meaning:Traditional ritual to ward off the evil eye.
Nazar değmesin diye kurşun döktürdüler.
They poured molten lead to ward off the evil eye.
Kuyusunu kazmak
Pronunciation: [kujusunu kazmac]
Literal Translation:"To dig someone's well"
Meaning:To plot secretly to bring about someone's downfall.
Arkadaşının kuyusunu kazmaya çalıştı.
He tried to secretly plot against his friend.
Lafa tutmak
Pronunciation: [lafa tutmac]
Literal Translation:"To hold someone in speech"
Meaning:To detain someone by engaging them in lengthy conversation.
Beni lafa tuttuğu için otobüsü kaçırdım.
Because he kept talking to me, I missed the bus.
Lafını esirgememek
Pronunciation: [lafɯnɯ esiɾɟememec]
Literal Translation:"Not withholding one's word"
Meaning:To speak one's mind bluntly without fear of offense.
Düşündüğünü açıkça söyler, lafını esirgemez.
He speaks his mind openly and spares no words.
Meyve veren ağaç taşlanır
Pronunciation: [meyve veɾen aːatʃ taʃlanɯɾ]
Literal Translation:"The tree that bears fruit is pelted with stones"
Meaning:Successful people often face jealousy and criticism.
Başarılı olunca kıskanırlar, meyve veren ağaç taşlanır.
Successful people face criticism; envy targets success.
Mumla aramak
Pronunciation: [mumla aɾamac]
Literal Translation:"To search with a candle"
Meaning:To miss someone or something greatly after losing them.
Eski günleri mumla arıyoruz.
We miss the good old days desperately.
Nuh der peygamber demez
Pronunciation: [nuh deɾ pejɡambeɾ demez]
Literal Translation:"Says Noah but doesn't say Prophet"
Meaning:Extremely stubborn and inflexible.
Çok inatçıdır, Nuh der peygamber demez.
He is extremely stubborn and won't budge an inch.
Okyanusu geçip derede boğulmak
Pronunciation: [okjanusu ɟetʃip deɾede boulmac]
Literal Translation:"Crossing the ocean and drowning in a stream"
Meaning:Failing at a minor step after overcoming massive obstacles.
Büyük zorlukları aştık ama küçük bir detayda takıldık.
We crossed the ocean only to stumble over a small detail.
Pireyi deve yapmak
Pronunciation: [piɾeyi deve japmac]
Literal Translation:"Making a flea into a camel"
Meaning:To make a mountain out of a molehill.
Küçük bir sorunu büyütüp pireyi deve yapma.
Don't make a mountain out of a molehill over a small problem.
Rüzgar eken fırtına biçer
Pronunciation: [jyzɡaɾ ecen fɯɾtɯna biʃeɾ]
Literal Translation:"He who sows wind reaps a storm"
Meaning:He who causes small trouble will face massive consequences.
Haksızlık yapma, rüzgar eken fırtına biçer.
Don't do injustice; he who sows wind reaps a storm.
Saman altından su yürütmek
Pronunciation: [saman altɯndan su jyɾytmec]
Literal Translation:"Running water under straw"
Meaning:To carry out secret schemes slyly without attracting notice.
Sessizce saman altından su yürütüyor.
He carries out his schemes slyly without drawing attention.
Sütten ağzı yanan yoğurdu üfleyerek yer
Pronunciation: [sytten aːzɯ yanan joːuɾdu yflejeɾec jeɾ]
Literal Translation:"One whose mouth is burnt by milk eats yogurt by blowing"
Meaning:Once bitten, twice shy.
Bir kez kandırıldıktan sonra çok dikkatli davranıyor.
Once bitten, twice shy; he acts very cautiously now.
Su akarken testiyi doldurmak
Pronunciation: [su acaɾcen testiyi dolduɾmac]
Literal Translation:"Filling the pitcher while water flows"
Meaning:Make hay while the sun shines.
Fırsat varken değerlendir, su akarken testiyi doldur.
Make hay while the sun shines; seize the opportunity.
Suyu getiren de bir testiyi kıran da
Pronunciation: [suyu ɟetiɾen de biɾ testiyi kɯɾan da]
Literal Translation:"The one who brings water and the one who breaks the pitcher are treated the same"
Meaning:When hard work and carelessness receive equal treatment.
Adalet olmayan yerde suyu getiren de bir testiyi kıran da.
Where there is no fairness, effort goes unrecognized.
Tatlı dil yılanı deliğinden çıkarır
Pronunciation: [tatlɯ dil jɯlanɯ deliːinden tʃɯkaɾɯɾ]
Literal Translation:"Sweet tongue draws the snake out of its hole"
Meaning:Gentle and polite speech can persuade even the toughest people.
Güler yüzlü ol, tatlı dil yılanı deliğinden çıkarır.
Be pleasant; kind words can persuade anyone.
Taşı sıksa suyunu çıkarır
Pronunciation: [taʃɯ sɯksa sujunu tʃɯkaɾɯɾ]
Literal Translation:"If he squeezes a stone he extracts its water"
Meaning:Capable of doing any hard physical work to earn a living.
Güçlü kuvvetlidir, taşı sıksa suyunu çıkarır.
He is strong and resilient, capable of any hard work.
Tekerleğe çomak sokmak
Pronunciation: [teceɾleːe tʃomak sokmac]
Literal Translation:"Putting a stick into the wheel"
Meaning:To put a spoke in someone's wheel; obstruct plans.
Tam anlaşmışken tekerleğe çomak soktu.
Just as we agreed, he put a spoke in our wheel.
Tereciye tere satmak
Pronunciation: [teɾedʒiye teɾe satmac]
Literal Translation:"Selling cress to the cress-seller"
Meaning:Carrying coals to Newcastle; teaching an expert their own craft.
Bana bu konuyu anlatma, tereciye tere satıyorsun.
Don't explain this to me; you're carrying coals to Newcastle.
Tırnağın varsa başını kaşı
Pronunciation: [tɯɾnaːɯn vaɾsa baʃɯnɯ kaʃɯ]
Literal Translation:"If you have fingernails, scratch your own head"
Meaning:Rely on yourself rather than expecting help from others.
Kimseye güvenme, tırnağın varsa başını kaşı.
Rely on your own efforts rather than expecting help.
Üzüm üzüme baka baka kararır
Pronunciation: [yzym yzyme baca baca kaɾaɾɯɾ]
Literal Translation:"Grapes turn dark by looking at each other"
Meaning:People absorb habits from those around them.
Arkadaş çevrene dikkat et, üzüm üzüme baka baka kararır.
Mind your friends; you become like those you spend time with.
Vakit nakittir
Pronunciation: [vakit nakittiɾ]
Literal Translation:"Time is cash/money"
Meaning:Time is valuable and shouldn't be wasted.
Erken başlayalım, vakit nakittir.
Let's start early; time is money.
Yağmurdan kaçarken doluya tutulmak
Pronunciation: [jaːmuɾdan katʃaɾcen doluja tutulmac]
Literal Translation:"Escaping rain only to be caught in hail"
Meaning:Out of the frying pan into the fire.
Sorundan kaçarken daha büyüğüne rastladı.
He went out of the frying pan into the fire.
Yalancının mumu yatsıya kadar yanar
Pronunciation: [jalandʒɯnɯn mumujatsɯja kadar janaɾ]
Literal Translation:"The liar's candle burns only until bedtime"
Meaning:Lies are quickly uncovered and don't last.
Gerçekler ortaya çıktı, yalancının mumu yatsıya kadar yanar.
The truth came out; lies don't last long.
Yarası olan gocunur
Pronunciation: [jaɾasɯ olan ɟodʒunuɾ]
Literal Translation:"He who has a wound flinches"
Meaning:Guilty conscience needs no accuser.
Ben kimseyi suçlamadım, yarası olan gocunur.
I didn't accuse anyone; a guilty conscience speaks.
Yere bakan yürek yakan
Pronunciation: [jeɾe bacan jyɾec jacan]
Literal Translation:"One looking at the ground while burning hearts"
Meaning:A wolf in sheep's clothing; quiet but manipulative.
Sessiz göründüğüne bakma, yere bakan yürek yakandır.
Don't be fooled by his quiet demeanor; still waters run deep.
Yılanın başını küçükken ezmek
Pronunciation: [jɯlanɯn baʃɯnɯ cytʃycce nezmec]
Literal Translation:"Crushing the snake's head while it's small"
Meaning:Nip trouble in the bud before it grows large.
Tehlike büyümeden yılanın başını küçükken ezmeliyiz.
We must nip the danger in the bud before it escalates.
Yola gelmek
Pronunciation: [yola ɟelmec]
Literal Translation:"To come to the road"
Meaning:To come to one's senses and act reasonably.
Sonunda hatasını anlayıp yola geldi.
He finally realized his mistake and came to his senses.
Yol yakınken dönmek
Pronunciation: [yol jakɯnken dœnmec]
Literal Translation:"Turning back while the road is near"
Meaning:Cutting one's losses before it's too late.
Zararın neresinden dönülse kardır, yol yakınken dön.
Cut your losses while you still have the chance.
Yorgan gitti kavga bitti
Pronunciation: [joɾɡan ɟitti kavɡa bitti]
Literal Translation:"The quilt left, the quarrel ended"
Meaning:The dispute ended because the object of contention is gone.
Mal satılınca yorgan gitti kavga bitti.
Once the property was sold, the dispute vanished.
Yüzü gülmek
Pronunciation: [jyzys ɟylmec]
Literal Translation:"One's face to smile"
Meaning:To feel happy and relieved after hardship.
Sonunda onun da yüzü güldü.
Finally he too felt happy and relieved.
Zamana bırakmak
Pronunciation: [zamana bɯɾakmac]
Literal Translation:"To leave to time"
Meaning:To let time heal or resolve a problem.
Bu meseleyi zamana bırakmak en iyisi.
It is best to leave this matter to time.
Zaman öldürmek
Pronunciation: [zaman œldyɾmec]
Literal Translation:"To kill time"
Meaning:To waste time waiting for something.
İstasyonda zaman öldürmek için kitap okudum.
I read a book to kill time at the station.
Zemzemle yıkanmış
Pronunciation: [zemzemle jɯkanmɯʃ]
Literal Translation:"Washed with Zamzam water"
Meaning:Praising someone or something as spotlessly pure.
Dürüstlüğünü zemzemle yıkanmış gibi övdü.
He praised his honesty as spotlessly pure.
Abayı yakmak
Pronunciation: [abajɯ jakmac]
Literal Translation:"To burn the cloak"
Meaning:To fall madly in love with someone.
Komşu kızına abayı yaktı.
He fell madly in love with the neighbor's daughter.
Ağzına bir parmak bal çalmak
Pronunciation: [aːzɯna biɾ paɾmak bal tʃalmac]
Literal Translation:"Placing a finger of honey on someone's mouth"
Meaning:To appease someone temporarily with a minor concession or sweet talk.
Maaş zammı yerine ağzımıza bir parmak bal çaldılar.
Instead of a raise, they appeased us with a minor bonus.
Akıl akıldan üstündür
Pronunciation: [akɯl akɯldan ystyndyɾ]
Literal Translation:"Mind is superior to mind"
Meaning:Two heads are better than one; consulting others brings wiser decisions.
Büyüklere danış, akıl akıldan üstündür.
Consult elders; two heads are better than one.
Aklı havada olmak
Pronunciation: [aklɯ havada olmac]
Literal Translation:"One's mind being in the air"
Meaning:To be absent-minded and daydreaming.
Ders boyunca aklı havadaydı.
His mind was in the clouds throughout the lesson.
Ayaklarına kara sular inmek
Pronunciation: [ajaklaɾɯna kaɾa sulaɾ inmec]
Literal Translation:"Black water descending to one's feet"
Meaning:To be completely exhausted from walking or standing all day.
Bütün gün alışveriş yapmaktan ayaklarıma kara sular indi.
From shopping all day, my feet were completely exhausted.
Bağrına basmak
Pronunciation: [baːɾɯna basmac]
Literal Translation:"To press to one's bosom"
Meaning:To embrace someone warmly with affection.
Yıllar sonra gördüğü torununu bağrına bastı.
She warmly embraced her grandchild after seeing him after years.
Baş başa vermek
Pronunciation: [baʃ baʃa veɾmec]
Literal Translation:"To give head to head"
Meaning:To put heads together and consult closely to solve a problem.
Baş başa verip bu zorluğu aştık.
We put our heads together and overcame this difficulty.
Bindiği dalı kesmek
Pronunciation: [bindiːi dalɯ cesmec]
Literal Translation:"Cutting the branch one is sitting on"
Meaning:To harm the very source that supports or sustains you.
Patronla kavga ederek bindiğin dalı kesiyorsun.
By arguing with your boss, you're biting the hand that feeds you.
Ciğeri yanmak
Pronunciation: [dʒiːeɾi janmac]
Literal Translation:"One's liver to burn"
Meaning:To suffer profound heartache over a loss or tragedy.
Evladını kaybedince ciğeri yandı.
When she lost her child, she suffered profound heartache.
Çene çalmak
Pronunciation: [tʃene tʃalmac]
Literal Translation:"To strike the jaw"
Meaning:To chatter away casually for a long time.
Saatlerce çene çalıp vakit geçirdiler.
They chattered away for hours to pass time.
Çıradan ateş çekmek
Pronunciation: [tʃɯɾadan ateʃ tʃecmec]
Literal Translation:"Drawing fire from pitch pine"
Meaning:Taking unnecessary dangerous risks.
Böyle tehlikeli bir işe girerek çıradan ateş çekiyorsun.
By entering such dangerous work, you are taking unnecessary risks.
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