Explore 20 Essential Turkish Proverbs in English with Examples

Turkish proverbs are a rich tapestry of wisdom, offering insights into the cultural and historical nuances of Turkey. They reflect the values, experiences, and worldview of Turkish-speaking communities. This blog post explores 20 Turkish proverbs in English, complete with phonetic transcriptions, explanations, and practical examples.

Whether you’re learning Turkish or simply interested in world cultures, these proverbs provide valuable lessons on life, relationships, and human nature.

Explore 20 Essential Turkish Proverbs in English with Examples

Each entry includes the original proverb in Turkish, its English translation, and examples demonstrating how to use these sayings in everyday conversation. Dive into the fascinating world of Turkish proverbs and discover the universal truths they convey!

#1. “Ağaç yaşken eğilir” 🌳

Translation: “The tree is bent while it is young.” Phonetic Transcription: [aːˈaʧ ˈjɑʃˈken ˈeːˌjilir] Explanation: This proverb emphasizes the importance of shaping and guiding someone while they are still young and impressionable. Examples:

1. You should teach your children good habits early; remember, ‘ağaç yaşken eğilir.’
2. “Investing in young talent is crucial for future success; as they say, ‘the tree is bent while it is young.'”

#2. “Gülü seven dikenine katlanır” 🌹

Translation: “He who loves the rose endures its thorns.” Phonetic Transcription: [ˈɡylʏ seˈven diˈkenine kɑtˈlanɯr] Explanation: Loving something or someone often means accepting the difficulties that come with it. Examples:

1. “If you’re going to take on this project, remember: ‘He who loves the rose endures its thorns.'”
2. “Being in a relationship means dealing with challenges too; after all, ‘he who loves the rose endures its thorns.'”

#3. “Damlaya damlaya göl olur” 💧

Translation: “Drop by drop, a lake is formed.” Phonetic Transcription: [dɑmˈlɑjɑ dɑmˈlɑjɑ ɡœl oˈluɾ] Explanation: Small, consistent efforts accumulate to create something significant over time. Examples:

1. “Don’t be discouraged by the small steps; remember, ‘drop by drop, a lake is formed.'”
2. “Saving a little money each month adds up; ‘damlaya damlaya göl olur.'”

#4. “El elden üstündür” 🤝

Translation: “One hand is superior to the other.” Phonetic Transcription: [ɛl ɛlˈdɛn ˈystyndyr] Explanation: This proverb highlights the value of mutual assistance and collaboration. Examples:

1. “Working together makes tasks easier; ‘one hand is superior to the other.'”
2. “Collaborating on the project will lead to better results because ‘one hand is superior to the other.’

#5. “Göz var nizam var” 👀

Translation: “There is an eye and there is order.” Phonetic Transcription: [ɡøz vɑɾ nɪˈzɑm vɑɾ] Explanation: This means that people notice and appreciate order and aesthetics. Examples:

1. “The presentation looks great; ‘there is an eye and there is order.'”
2. “He noticed the details in your work; ‘there is an eye and there is order.'”

#6. “İşleyen demir ışıldar” 🔨

Translation: “The iron that is worked on shines.” Phonetic Transcription: [iʃˈleːjæn deˈmiɾ ɯˈʃɯldɑɾ] Explanation: Hard work and constant effort lead to success and improvement. Examples:

1. “Keep working on your skills; ‘the iron that is worked on shines.'”
2. Consistent practice pays off; ‘the iron that is worked on shines.’

#7. “Ateş düştüğü yeri yakar” 🔥

Translation: “The fire burns where it falls.” Phonetic Transcription: [aˈteʃ dʏʃˈtyː ʝeˈɾi jɑˈkɑɾ] Explanation: Each person’s pain is felt most intensely by them alone. Examples:

1. “Don’t judge someone’s reaction too harshly; ‘the fire burns where it falls.'”
2. “Understand that their grief is personal; ‘the fire burns where it falls.'”

#8. “Ağaç kökünden, insan özünden” 🌲

Translation: “A tree is known by its roots, a person by their essence.” Phonetic Transcription: [ˈaːˌaʧ kyˈkyːnˈdɛn ˈinsɑn ˈœzˈyndɛn] Explanation: True character is revealed through one’s origins and core values. Examples:

1. “His values show through in everything he does; ‘a tree is known by its roots, a person by their essence.'”
2. “The way she treats others reflects her core values; ‘a tree is known by its roots, a person by their essence.'”

#9. “Kervan yolda düzülür” 🚛

Translation: “The caravan is adjusted on the road.” Phonetic Transcription: [ˈkɛɾvɑn ˈjolˈdɑ dyˈzyːluɾ] Explanation: Things are often sorted out as you go along. Examples:

1. “Don’t worry if everything isn’t perfect now; ‘the caravan is adjusted on the road.'”
2. “You’ll figure it out as you proceed; ‘the caravan is adjusted on the road.'”

#10. “Öfkeyle kalkan, zararla oturur” 😠

Translation: “He who rises with anger sits with regret.” Phonetic Transcription: [ˈœfˌkejle kɑlˈkɑn zɑˈɾɑɫlɑ oˈtyɾuɾ] Explanation: Acting out of anger often leads to regretful outcomes. Examples:

1. “Think before you act in anger; ‘he who rises with anger sits with regret.'”
2. “Avoid hasty decisions when upset; ‘he who rises with anger sits with regret.'”

#11. “Sakla samanı, gelir zamanı” ⏳

Translation: “Save the straw; its time will come.” Phonetic Transcription: [ˈsɑklɑ sɑˈmɑnɯ ˈɡelir zɑˈmɑnɯnɯ] Explanation: Even seemingly insignificant things can become useful later. Examples:

1. “Keep that old item; ‘save the straw; its time will come.'”
2. “Don’t discard it; ‘save the straw; its time will come.'”

#12. “Bir elin nesi var, iki elin sesi var” ✋✋

Translation: “One hand has nothing, two hands make a sound.” Phonetic Transcription: [biɾ ɛˈlin ˈnɛsi vɑɾ ˈiːki ɛˈlin ˈsɛsi vɑɾ] Explanation: Cooperation and teamwork produce better results than working alone. Examples:

1. “Working together will yield better results; ‘one hand has nothing, two hands make a sound.'”
2. “Two people can accomplish more than one; ‘one hand has nothing, two hands make a sound.'”

#13. “Damlaya damlaya göl olur” 💧

Translation: “Drop by drop, a lake is formed.” Phonetic Transcription: [dɑmˈlɑjɑ dɑmˈlɑjɑ ɡœl oˈluɾ] Explanation: Consistent, small efforts accumulate to create something substantial. Examples:

1. “Saving a little each day adds up; ‘drop by drop, a lake is formed.’
2. “Every small effort counts; ‘drop by drop, a lake is formed.'”

#14. “Göz var nizam var” 👀

Translation: “There is an eye and there is order.” Phonetic Transcription: [ɡøz vɑɾ nɪˈzɑm vɑɾ] Explanation: Appreciation for aesthetics and organization is important. Examples:

1. The design looks excellent; ‘there is an eye and there is order.'”
2. “His work is meticulous; ‘there is an eye and there is order.'”

#15. “İşleyen demir ışıldar” 🔨

Translation: “The iron that is worked on shines.” Phonetic Transcription: [iʃˈleːjæn deˈmiɾ ɯˈʃɯldɑɾ] Explanation: Hard work and effort lead to improvement and success. Examples:

1. “Keep honing your skills; ‘the iron that is worked on shines.'”
2. “Persistent effort leads to progress; ‘the iron that is worked on shines.'”

#16. “Ateş düştüğü yeri yakar” 🔥

Translation: “The fire burns where it falls.” Phonetic Transcription: [aˈteʃ dʏʃˈtyː ʝeˈɾi jɑˈkɑɾ] Explanation: Pain and problems affect the person experiencing them the most. Examples:

1. “Empathize with others’ pain; ‘the fire burns where it falls.'”
2. “Understand their struggles; ‘the fire burns where it falls.'”

#17. “Ağaç kökünden, insan özünden” 🌲

Translation: “A tree is known by its roots, a person by their essence.” Phonetic Transcription: [ˈaːˌaʧ kyˈkyːnˈdɛn ˈinsɑn ˈœzˈyndɛn] Explanation: True identity and character come from one’s origins and values. Examples:

1. “His background influences his actions; ‘a tree is known by its roots, a person by their essence.'”
2. “Her integrity reflects her values; ‘a tree is known by its roots, a person by their essence.'”

#18. “Kervan yolda düzülür” 🚛

Translation: “The caravan is adjusted on the road.” Phonetic Transcription: [ˈkɛɾvɑn ˈjolˈdɑ dyˈzyːluɾ] Explanation: Adjustments and improvements are made as circumstances unfold. Examples:

1. “Don’t worry if everything isn’t perfect now; ‘the caravan is adjusted on the road.'”
2. “You’ll solve issues as they come; ‘the caravan is adjusted on the road.'”

#19. “Öfkeyle kalkan, zararla oturur” 😠

Translation: “He who rises with anger sits with regret.” Phonetic Transcription: [ˈœfˌkejle kɑlˈkɑn zɑˈɾɑɫlɑ oˈtyɾuɾ] Explanation: Acting impulsively out of anger often leads to regret. Examples:

1. “Think before reacting in anger; ‘he who rises with anger sits with regret.'”
2. “Avoid decisions made in anger; ‘he who rises with anger sits with regret.'”

#20. “Sakla samanı, gelir zamanı” ⏳

Translation: “Save the straw; its time will come.” Phonetic Transcription: [ˈsɑklɑ sɑˈmɑnɯ ˈɡelir zɑˈmɑnɯnɯ] Explanation: Even seemingly trivial things can become useful in the future. Examples:

1. “Keep that old piece of equipment; ‘save the straw; its time will come.'”
2. “Don’t throw away that old file; ‘save the straw; its time will come.'”

Turkish Proverbs in English Table

Turkish Proverbs in English Printable

Conclusion

Exploring Turkish proverbs provides a glimpse into the wisdom and values embedded in Turkish culture. Each proverb encapsulates lessons about patience, perseverance, cooperation, and understanding. By translating these proverbs into English, we not only bridge cultural gaps but also gain universal insights that apply to various aspects of life.

Whether used in daily conversations or as reflections on personal experiences, these proverbs offer timeless advice. Understanding and applying these proverbs can enhance your cross-cultural communication and enrich your appreciation for the diversity of global wisdom.

Embrace these Turkish sayings, and let their profound truths guide you in your personal and professional life.

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