Ready to finally learn the weirdly funny Turkish phrases that every Turk says? I explain the twenty of them in this blog post!
No matter how good your Turkish is, Turks will always boggle your mind with funny Turkish phrases used in everyday life. Because there are pretty interesting yet on-the-spot phrases for almost every situation in the Turkish language.
In this blog post, I will teach you a bunch of common phrases with direct translations for each of them so that you won’t be dumbfounded when you hear these from your Turkish friends.
Table of Contents
Funny Turkish Phrases You Need To Know
1. Şeytan Tüyü
Pronunciation:
Meaning: The devil’s feather
This phrase is used to describe someone who is charming and can become close with everyone.
2. Nazar Değmesin
Pronunciation:
Meaning: May you not be touched by the evil eye
Nazar is the most commonly believed superstition in Turkey. We say this phrase when we admire and compliment someone pretty, but to protect them from any harm and to indicate that you’re not jealous in a wrong way. It’s usually accompanied by the word maşallah.
3. Bir Yastıkta Kocasınlar
Pronunciation:
Meaning: May they grow old on one pillow
It’s like wishing a newlywed couple to be together until they get old. There is a big long pillow in almost all Turkish family homes. Couples used to share that one long pillow when sleeping in older times, but it’s not a thing today.
4. Etekleri Zil Çalıyor
Pronunciation:
Meaning: The bells on her hems are ringing
This phrase is used to describe someone who is excited about something.
5. Pabucu Dama Atıldı
Pronunciation:
Meaning: His shoe was thrown onto the roof
This phrase is used when someone who is in the spotlight has been passed over by another. This one has an interesting backstory so let me share it with you.
In the Ottoman era, quality and honesty were crucial in commerce, so the tradesmen who cheated customers were punished by closing their shops and labeling them as fraud. If it was a shoemaker, one of the shoes he sells would be thrown to the roof of his shop so that all people would know that the shoemaker is unreliable.
6. Balık Etli
Pronunciation:
Meaning: Fish fleshed
It’s no secret that most Turkish men like women with a bit of meat on their bones, and this phrase describes all curvy girls.
7. Elini Sallasa Ellisi
Pronunciation:
Meaning: If she waves her hand, fifty will come
It means someone is so beautiful/handsome that fifty people will fall for them with just one move. So it literally translates as there are plenty more fish in the sea in English.
8. Armut Piş Ağzıma Düş
Pronunciation:
Meaning: May the pear be cooked and fall into my mouth
This phrase describes a person who doesn’t like to work and wants everything to be ready and done for themselves.
9. Kafayı Üşüttü
Pronunciation:
Meaning: He has caught a cold in their head
This phrase describes someone who has gone crazy.
10. İlk Göz Ağrım
Pronunciation:
Meaning: The first pain of my eye
This phrase describes the parents’ love for their first child, so the child won’t be jealous of their younger siblings.
11. Güle Güle Gidin
Pronunciation:
Meaning: May you go laughing
Nobody likes sad goodbyes, right? Turks do the farewell in the best way possible by saying this phrase to departing visitors.
12. Güle Güle Kullan
Pronunciation:
Meaning: May you use it with joy
This phrase is said when someone buys something new. You can also say this when you give someone a present.
13. Kafam Güzel
Pronunciation:
Meaning: My head is beautiful
This phrase means that you’re high or drunk.
14. Fıstık
Pronunciation:
Meaning: Pistachio
This word is used to describe very attractive young women. I think it literally means “chick” in English.
15. Ağızla Kuş Tutmak
Pronunciation:
Meaning: Catching a bird with his mouth
This phrase is used when the acts of someone will not be approved even if he does the miracles.
16. Balık Kavağa Çıkınca
Pronunciation:
Meaning: When the fish climbs the tree
This phrase is used when you mean that something is never going to happen.
17. Kulağını Tersten Göstermek
Pronunciation:
Meaning: Showing the ear from the opposite side
This phrase means that you take the farthest and most difficult way to do something while there is a much easier way.
18. Ense Yapmak
Pronunciation:
Meaning: To lie on nape
This phrase refers to someone who eats, drinks, and enjoys themselves but never works. It’s used for lazy people.
19. Çam Devirmek
Pronunciation:
Meaning: To take down a tree
This phase is used for someone who draws people’s attention with their words and puts themselves in an unpleasant situation.
20. Yağlı Müşteri
Pronunciation:
Meaning: Fatty customer
This phrase refers to someone rich and spending a lot of money shopping.
How Do You Say “Funny” In Turkish?
The word “funny” translates to “komik” in Turkish and it is the most common way to describe something or someone as funny. It’s used in various contexts, just like the English word.
Frequently Asked Questions About Funny Turkish Phrases
1. What Are Some Funny Turkish Phrases That Don’t Translate Well?
“Damlaya damlaya göl olur.” (Drop by drop, it becomes a lake.) – While it makes sense in Turkish, the literal translation sounds odd in English.
“Armut piş, ağzıma düş.” (Let the pear cook and fall into my mouth.) – This phrase is used to describe someone who waits for things to happen without effort.
2. Why Are Some Turkish Phrases Considered Funny?
Many Turkish phrases use vivid imagery, cultural references, or exaggerated expressions that sound humorous when translated or even in their original context.
3. How Can I Use Funny Turkish Phrases In Conversation?
Learn the context in which they are used, as these phrases often rely on shared cultural knowledge. Use them in informal settings with friends or locals to add humor to your conversations.
4. What Are Some Funny Turkish Idioms About Animals?
“Kedi olalı bir fare tuttun.” (Since becoming a cat, you’ve caught a mouse.) – This is said sarcastically when someone finally does something they’re supposed to do.
“Atı alan Üsküdar’ı geçti.” (The one with the horse has already passed Üsküdar.) – It means it’s too late to act.
5. Do Turkish People Actually Use These Funny Phrases?
Yes, these phrases are commonly used in daily life. They are often employed to add humor, emphasize a point, or convey cultural wisdom.
Like These Turkish Phrases? You Can Learn More Of Them!
If these Turkish phrases interest you, why don’t you learn more of them with Ling?
Ling is a language-learning app designed to assist all language learners from beginning their language-learning journeys. The app consists of different engaging activities, from writing and listening exercises to an AI chatbot to practice your speaking skills, and with much more, the Ling app offers you everything you’re looking for in a language learning app.
Also, don’t forget to check out our Turkish blog for weekly articles about the Turkish language and culture!
Until next time! Görüşmek üzere!
