Idioms (deyimler) are short, metaphorical expressions that pack a world of meaning into just a few words. They often reflect a nation’s traditions, values, and ways of thinking. For instance, Turkish idioms are deeply rooted in daily life, popping up in casual conversations, literature, and even Turkish TV dramas. They add color, humor, and depth to the language, making Turkish both poetic and practical.
In this blog post, I'll teach you the most commonly used Turkish idioms daily. I'll explain precisely what they mean and the reasoning behind why they are popular. Let's begin!
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Common Turkish Idioms
1 – Nazar Değmesin
Literal translation: Don’t let the evil eye touch you.
Meaning: A way of wishing protection after giving a compliment or praise. Similar to "knock on wood" in English, it's said to ward off bad luck or misfortune.
Example: Yeni aldığın araba çok güzel, nazar değmesin!
(Your new car is gorgeous, knock on wood!)
2 – Avucunu Yalamak
Literal translation: To lick your palm.
Meaning: To end up disappointed after missing an opportunity.
Example: O tatlıyı almak istemiştim ama tükenmiş, avucumu yaladım.
(I wanted to buy that candy, but it was sold out. I'm so disappointed.)
3 – Alın Yazısı
Literal translation: It’s written on your forehead.
Meaning: Refers to something that is meant to happen, destiny or fate.
Example: Bugün seni tanımak alın yazısıymış.
(Meeting you today must have been fate.)
4 – Saçını Süpürge Etmek
Literal translation: To sweep one’s hair.
Meaning: To go above and beyond or make a lot of effort, often for someone else.
Example: Annem tüm hayatını bizim için saçını süpürge etti.
(My mom worked tirelessly her whole life for us.)
5 – Kılı Kırk Yarmak
Literal translation: To split a hair into forty.
Meaning: To be very meticulous or detail-oriented, sometimes excessively so.
Example: Patronum her projede kılı kırk yarıyor, çok dikkatli.
(My boss is so meticulous about every project.)
6 – İlk Göz Ağrım
Literal translation: The first pain of my eyes.
Meaning: Referring to your first-born child, someone you love dearly.
Example: Sen benim ilk göz ağrımsın, seni çok seviyorum.
(You’re my first-born child, I love you so much.)
7 – Ateş Almaya Gelmek
Literal translation: To come and ask for a fire/light.
Meaning: To drop by just to ask for a favor, then leave quickly.
Example: Biraz daha kal, sanki ateş almaya geldin!
(Stay a little more; you’re here like you came just for a favor!)
8 – Havadan Sudan Konuşmak
Literal translation: To talk about the weather and water.
Meaning: Making small talk, talking about trivial or unimportant topics.
Example: Komşumla bahçede havadan sudan konuştuk.
(I made small talk with my neighbor in the garden.)
9 – Zurnanın Zırt Dediği Yer
Literal translation: Where the shrill pipe sounds 'zirt'.
Meaning: The most crucial or decisive moment in a situation.
Example: Sunumda zurnanın zırt dediği yere geldik, şimdi her şey önemli.
(We’ve reached the most critical part of the presentation; now everything matters.)
10 – Pabucu Dama Atılmak
Literal translation: To have one's shoes thrown on the roof.
Meaning: To fall out of favor, be discarded, or lose importance.
Example: O eski restoran artık pabucu dama atıldı, kimse gitmiyor.
(That old restaurant has fallen out of favor, nobody goes there anymore.)
11 – Sakla Samanı Gelir Zamanı
Literal translation: Keep the hay, it’s time will come.
Meaning: If you keep something, eventually you’ll find a use for it.
Example: O eski elbiseyi sakla, sakla samanı gelir zamanı.
(Keep that old dress, you’ll find a reason to wear it eventually.)
12 – Dağdan Gelip Bağdakini Kovmak
Literal translation: To come from the mountain and drive out the vineyard.
Meaning: Owning something that isn’t originally yours.
Example: O hep bizim fikirlerimizi kullanıyor dağdan gelip bağdakini kovmasına izin veremeyiz.
(We can't let him take credit for our ideas.)
13 – Kabak Tadı Vermek
Literal translation: To give off the taste of zucchinis.
Meaning: To become tiresome or boring.
Example: Bu sürekli aynı şikayetleri duymaktan kabak tadı vermeye başladı.
(Hearing these same complaints over and over is getting boring.)
14 – Tuzu Kuru
Literal translation: His/her salt is dry.
Meaning: Refers to someone who is well-off or doesn’t have to worry about struggles.
Example: Senin tuzun kuru olduğu için bizim dertlerimizi anlamazsın.
(You wouldn’t understand our struggles because you're well-off.)
15 – Bedava Sirke Baldan Tatlıdır
Literal translation: Free vinegar is sweeter than honey.
Meaning: The best things in life are often free, or things that cost nothing are more desirable.
Example: Çocuklar dağdan elma toplamak için gitti, bedava sirke baldan tatlıdır diye.
(The kids went apple-picking, saying that the best things in life are free.)
16 – Fıstık Gibi
Literal translation: Like a pistachio.
Meaning: Something or someone that is great or excellent.
Example: Fıstık gibi bir araba aldım!
(I bought a great car!)
17 – Ağzında Bakla Islanmamak
Literal translation: To not get the fava beans in your mouth wet.
Meaning: To not be able to keep a secret.
Example: Sırlarını paylaşamıyorum, ağzında bakla ıslanmıyor.
(I can’t share secrets, you can’t keep one.)
18 – At Var Meydan Yok
Literal translation: There’s a horse but no field.
Meaning: Having all the necessary tools but no work to do.
Example: Herkes iş başında, ama at var, meydan yok.
(Everyone’s here, but there’s no work to do.)
19 – Pireyi Deve Yapmak
Literal translation: To turn a flea into a camel.
Meaning: To exaggerate something small into something huge.
Example: O kadar hastalanmadın, pireyi deve yapmana gerek yok.
(You’re not that sick, no need to blow things out of proportion.)
20 – Ağzıyla Kuş Tutmak
Literal translation: To catch a bird with your mouth.
Meaning: Something that is impossible to do.
Example: Ağzınla kuş tutsan bile seni sevemem.
(Even if you catch a bird with your mouth, you still won’t win my love.)
21 – Komşunun Tavuğu Komşuya Kaz Görünür
Literal translation: "A neighbor’s chicken looks like a goose to his neighbor."
Meaning: The grass is always greener on the other side.
Example: Onun arabası seninkinden daha iyi değil, komşunun tavuğu komşuya kaz görünür.
(His car isn’t better than yours, the grass is always greener on the other side.)
22 – Bal Dök Yala
Literal translation: Pour honey and lick.
Meaning: Spotlessly clean.
Example: Evi bal dök yala gibi temiz yaptım.
(I made the house so clean you could eat off the floors.)
23 – Aşağı Tükürsem Sakal, Yukarı Tükürsem Bıyık
Literal translation: If I spit down, there’s a beard, if I spit up, there’s a mustache.
Meaning: In a situation where no matter what you choose, it’s still bad.
Example: Bu durumda kaldım, aşağı tükürsem sakal, yukarı tükürsem bıyık.
(I’m in a tough spot, no matter what I choose, it’s still bad.)
24 – Keçileri Kaçırmak
Literal translation: To lose the goats.
Meaning: To lose control or go crazy.
Example: Stresten keçileri kaçırdım, bu kadar çok iş olmaz!
(I’ve lost control due to stress, this much work isn’t possible!)
25 – Burnu Havada
Literal translation: Nose in the air.
Meaning: To act arrogantly or be full of pride, often with a sense of superiority.
Example: O yeni işinden sonra burnu havada oldu, herkesi küçümsemeye başladı. (Since getting that new job, he’s become arrogant and started looking down on everyone.)
26 – Göz Kulak Olmak
Literal translation: To be eyes and ears for someone.
Meaning: To take care of someone or watch over them, often out of concern or responsibility.
Example: Çocukları yalnız bırakmak istemedim, ona göz kulak oldum.
(I didn’t want to leave the kids alone, so I looked after them.)
27 – Dilimde Tüy Bitti
Literal translation: Feathers grew on my tongue.
Meaning: To repeat the same thing over and over, usually because the listener isn’t paying attention.
Example: Dilimde tüy bitti, hala anlamıyorsun.
(I’ve said this a million times, and you still don’t get it.)
28 – Etekleri Zil Çalmak
Literal translation: Skirts ringing like bells.
Meaning: To be extremely happy or excited, often because of something good that happened.
Example: Sınavı geçince etekleri zil çalmaya başladı!
(When she passed the exam, she was so happy she couldn’t contain herself!)
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Which Is Your Favorite Turkish Idiom?
So you see, mastering Turkish is not just about learning vocabulary and grammar—it's about understanding the culture, nuances, and expressions that make the language truly come alive. By incorporating some of these into your daily conversations, you can sound more like a native speaker and gain deeper insights into Turkish culture.
For those who want to accelerate their learning and hear idioms in context, check out Lingopie. It’s a great resource for learning Turkish through Turkish TV shows, movies, and real-world examples to help you master the language more effectively. Give it a try now!
