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The Plain English Meanings of Turkish Idioms 'H' Related Pages: The Turkish Idioms A-Z, Index Turkish Acronyms/Abbreviations The Idiomatic M-Doublets Idioms Origin Stories, Index Idioms Illustrated by Cartoons #1 We know you've seen reference books written for English speakers about English and American Idioms. And you may have seen books for Turkish speakers on the same subject. You may even have seen books for Turkish speakers about Turkish Idioms -- all in Turkish. But have you ever seen a reference for English speakers about Turkish Idioms? Well, when we couldn't find one after looking for seven years, we decided to do-it-ourselves. Observe our sampling just for Turkish idioms that begin with the letter H. Site visitors may navigate to other Turkish Idioms pages using the House-Favorite Idioms Page Index. Turkish Idioms beginning with the letter H The Turkish The Literal English Meaning The 'Plain' English Meaning Comments and Examples Ha   ha Ali Hoca, ha Hoca Ali it's either Ali Hoca or it's Hoca Ali It doesn't matter which of two [bad] things happens -- because they are both about the same. "It's six of one and a half dozen of the other..." Arada bir ayrım yok, ha Ali Hoca ha Hoca Ali, ikisi de aynı. Sometimes I don't see a difference, it's either Ali Hoca or it's Hoca Ali, and the two [options] are the same. ha bire come on now to one without ever stopping all the time Adam ha bire bunların iyi cins fidan olduklarını ve gelecek yıl meyve bile vereceklerini anlatıp durmuş. The man, without stopping, began explaining that the good breeds of plant were even going to give her fruit the next year. haberi olmak to become the news to be informed of; to know about; to find out information (about sth) 'e-blaster' adı verilen bir program sayesinde eşinizin internette attığı her adımdan, yazdığı her e-mailden haberiniz oluyor. Thanks to the program called 'e-blaster', you can be informed of every step that your spouse takes on the internet, about every e-mail he/she writes. Gözcü Gazetesi, 4 August 2003 -e/-a haddini bildirmek to inform (to the) limit to put someone in his/her place Kendisini İspanyol zulmünden kurtardığımız nankör Tlemsen sultanına haddini bildirmek gerek. It's necessary for the Sultan to put the disloyal Tlemsen, who we had saved from Spanish oppression, in his place. The Illustrated Story of Barbarossa, Book 3 Plate 13 by Orhan and Erhan Dündar (1996) See another example sentence at ipe sapa gelmez. haddini bilmemek for one to not know the limit to go too far; to be in over one's head; to exceed one's authority (for one) to be presumptuous, impertinent, uppity Prof. Ahmet Ercan, haddini bilmez adamın ve türbanlı kadınların yobazca davranışı nedeniyle çok sinirlendi ve fanalık geçirdi. Because of the religiously fanatical behaviour of the impertinent men and the turban-clad women, Professor Ahmet Ercan became nervous and felt faint. Gözcü Gazetesi, 5 March 2005 (See photo-article at yobaz on the NRED page.) "İspanya kralı'nın bana böyle hitap etmesi gayet haddini bilmezliktir." "The Spanish king is exceedingly presumptuous to address me like that." The Illustrated Story of Barbarossa, Book 3 Plate 4 by Orhan and Erhan Dündar (1996) Hadi canım sen de! Come on, and you! Who do you think you're kidding? Don't feed me that bull! May be used as shown... Left click for full article enlargement. Hak Taala (Teala) God almighty same meaning... "Affeyledim zira, Hak Taala affedici kullarını severmiş." "I forgive you because God Almighty loves a slave forgiver." The Illustrated Story of Barbarossa by Orhan and Erhan Dündar (1996) hakkını helal etmek to give up one's rights to give one's blessing "Hosça kalın kardeşler, hakkınızı helal edin." "Goodbye brothers and sisters, give me your blessing." The Illustrated Story of Barbarossa, Book 1 Plate 16 by Orhan and Erhan Dündar (1996) haklı olmak to become right to be 'in the right' Yapılan araştırmalara göre, Amerikalı kadınların yüzde 60'ı en az bir kez evlilik dışı ilişki kuruyor ve bunda haklı olduğuna inanıyor. According to research that's been done, 60 percent of American women have at least one extramarital affair -- and they believe they are in the right to do so. Gözcü Gazetesi, 15 July 2003 Halep orada ise (oradaysa) arşın burada! If Allepo is over there, the arşın (unit of measurement) is over here! Try that and see what happens to you! Well, prove it! Put up or shut up! The conditions necessary to evaluate sth are now in place. Söylediğin koşullar hazır; haydi dediğini burada da yap; Halep oradaysa arşın burada.99 Your stated conditions are now in place; come on then... do what you said [you could do]. If Aleppo is over there, the arşın measurement is over here. haline gelmek to come to a condition to become, to become like to come into possession of Kırk ambar haline geldiler. They came into possession of forty granaries. The Illustrated Story of Barbarossa, Book 1 Plate 41 by Orhan and Erhan Dündar (1996) haline gelmek to come to a condition to become, to become like to come into possession of İtalyan Bakan Rocco Bittiglione, "Türkiye'yi demokrasi değil asker yönetiyor. Fakat Türk ordusu, bu etkinliğini sürdürmelidir. Eğer kontrol elden çıkarsa Türkiye bir İslam Cumhuriyeti haline gelir. Askerler politikadan el çekmemelidir" diye konuştu. Italian Minister Rocco Bittiglione said, "Turkey is not a democracy, it's controlled by the military. But the Turkish army must continue this activity. If the [army] gives up control, Turkey would become an Islamic State. The military must not withdraw from [Turkish] politics." Gözcü Gazetesi, 1 July 2003 Kırk ambar haline geldiler. They came into possession of forty granaries. The Illustrated Story of Barbarossa, Book 1 Plate 41 by Orhan and Erhan Dündar (1996) halis muhlis pure sincere genuine, true "Şaka etme," dedim, "Bu halis muhlis Çerkez." "Don't joke around," I said, "That's a genuine Caucasian/Circassian [woman]." Ömer Seyfettin, Harem, pg. 91 Note: Caucasian/Circassian women were highly regarded because of their 'astonishing' beauty in Ottoman times... A Caucasian/Circassian woman hamamda deli var there's a madman in the Turkish bath there's a dangerous commotion in an area of interest to you, so protect yourself from willfully destructive people Dikkatli olun hamamda deli var, işimizi baltalıyor. Be careful, there's trouble brewing -- and someone can wreck our business. haraca bağlamak to be tied to protection money to force to pay protection money Cezayir'in yedi sekiz köyünü Kadıoğlu alıp haraca bağlamıştı. Kadioğlu captured 7 or 8 villages around Algiers and forced (them) to pay protection money. The Illustrated Story of Barbarossa, Book 3 Plate 31 by Orhan and Erhan Dündar (1996) hariçten gazel okumak/atmak (yasaktır) (it's forbidden) to read/throw except for newspapers to offer one's ideas on a subject without knowing anything about it (is forbidden) to break rudely into a conversation (is forbidden) to behave like a 'know it all' (is forbidden) Bir konuya, hiç ilgisi yokken, kendisine söz düşmezken, dışardan katılmak da hariçten gazel okumaktır.116 To enter without being asked (from the outside) into a topic [of conversation] when one has no [connected] interest and no (personal) right to voice an opinion, is acting like a 'know it all'. Coming soon... The Rest of the Idiom Story... hasret gitmek to go longing to die without seeing sb/sth one last time Zavallı adam Almanya'daki kızına hasret gitti.99 The poor old guy died before having a last chance to see his daughter in Germany. hasret kalmak to remain longing to miss (sb/sth) a lot/greatly; to feel the absence of "Aşık olmaya hasret kaldım." I miss being in love a lot. Attributed to the celebrity performer Beyaz Öztürk in Gözcü Gazetesi, 28 May 2003 hatır gönül bilmemek (saymamak, tanımamak, bakmamak) to not know (count, recognise, care about) heart [or] memory not to let one's consideration for sb prevent one from doing what is right not to consider the feelings of others Ben hatır gönül bilmem, gereği ne ise onu yaparım, dedi.103 He said, 'I don't consider the feelings of others. I do what is necessary no matter what.' Compare with tok sözlu and selamün aleyküm kör kadı. hatır için for memory as a favor Amma senin mübarek hatırın için onun dahi suçunu affettik. But as a favor to you, we'll also forgive his guilt. The Illustrated Story of Barbarossa, Book 3 Plate 16 by Orhan and Erhan Dündar (1996) hatırı kalmak to remain one's sensitivities to feel hurt or offended Hey Oruç, sana biraz hatırım kalmıştı. Ama affeyledim. Hey Oruç, you hurt my feelings but I forgive you. The Illustrated Story of Barbarossa, Book 1 Plate 27 by Orhan and Erhan Dündar (1996) hava almak to take air to breathe fresh air to absorb air, take in air to end up getting nothing, go home empty handed See example sentence at: kılını (bile) kıpırdatmamak. hava atmak to throw air to show off, to brag about a superiority which may be real or imagined A bird in hand... Left click for article enlargement. Alberto Giannigi adlı genç, ünlü sanatçı Jennifer Lopez'in bal mumundan yapılmış heykelinin arkasına geçerek poz verdi. Belki bu fotoğrafı ülkesinde arkadaşlarına gösterip hava atacak. A guy named Alberto Giannigi made this pose in passing behind the wax-likeness of Jennifer Lopez the famous performer. Perhaps he planned to show this photo to friends in his home country and do [some] bragging. Gözcü Gazetesi, 6 June 2003 (See photo-article at left.) havadan sudan from air from water at random, of this and that See Category 1 and 8, Turkish doublets. havalanmak to be aired, to be ventilated In the case of a woman: to 'show off', to put on airs/affectations, to act in a manner that puts one's sexuality on display, to act flirtatiously, to dress in a provocative way to attract male attention... In the case of a male: to 'show off', to act like a womanizer, a boozer, a gambler; to live a wild life, to have a changeable temperament...   hayal kırıklığı imagination/illusion brokenness disappointment See examples in following panels... hayal kırıklığına uğramak to drop in on imagination brokenness to be disappointed Saşırdım hayal kırıklığına uğradım.99 I was confused and disappointed. E. Göze hayal kırıklığına uğratmak to cause someone to drop in on imagination brokenness to cause disappointment Meclislerin Türkiye konusundaki tutumu beni hayal kırıklığına uğrattı. The attitude of the [U.S.] Congress on the subject of Turkey disappointed me. U.S. Pres. Gerald Ford Hayır ola! or Hayrola! [Note: the latter is the 'street' pronunciation that you'll most often hear.] For good reason it happens! I hope nothing's wrong... What's up? Everything's OK, I hope. Geç kaldın. Hayrola! You're late. Is everything OK? I hope so. Similar to Hayırdır inşallah! Hayırdır inşallah! or just plain Hayırdır! It is good, God willing! I hope nothing's wrong... What on earth is this? I hope this doesn't mean something bad is going to happen (said of a bad dream). Similar to Hayrola! Müşteri: Çabuk bana 8 tane votka getir! Barmen: Hayırdır birader! Customer: Quick bring me 8 shots of Vodka! Barman: [Oh my] brother, I hope nothing's wrong. Hayırlı işler! Works with health! Good luck on your new endeavor! Said when you are seen to be starting something new, like a job... Hayırlı ola! Let it be good! Good luck, may it go well! Mehmet: Gitmeliyim, derim. Fatma: Hayırlı ola! Mehmet: I have to go, I say. Fatma: Good Luck! [on your journey...] Hayırlı olsun! Let be with health! Good luck! Congratulations! [Said, for example, on the opening of a new business venture -- to the proprietor.] This idiomatic phrase is very similar to the one above and, like that one, it is also used on its own. hayra alamet benefit sign a good sign Bu hayra alamet değildir. Gel, vazgeç! This is not a good sign. Come, give it up. The Illustrated Story of Barbarossa, Book 1 Plate 51 by Orhan and Erhan Dündar (1996) hayrete düşmek to fall to amazement to be amazed, be astonished Tacky fashion? Left click for article enlargement. Bir zamanlar moda olan altın dişler, geri geliyor. Hem de öyle bir geliyor ki görenleri hayrete düşürecek... Gold teeth (that were once in fashion) are making a comeback. And it's such a [spirited] comeback that observers will be astonished... Gözcü Gazetesi, 13 August 2003 (See photo-article at left.) He   Helal olsun! Let it be canonically lawful! 1. It's all yours!/Take it with my blessing (and enjoy it)! 2. Bravo!/Good for you/him/her! See illustrated example below. Bravo! Good for you! Left click for image clarification and translation. Hem de nasıl! Both and how! And how! You said it! Absolutely! Oh boy, do I! Soru: Dondurma seviyor musun? Cevap: Hem de nasıl! Question: Do you like ice cream? Answer: And how! hem kel, hem fodul (to be both) bald and vain said of someone who makes great claims for himself, but who lacks competence in reality Bırak böyle konuşmayı, yaptıkların ortada, senin gibilere hem kel hem fodul derler. Quit talking like that, the things you do are [no more than] average. They call people like you "both bald and vain"... her boku bilir This is a mildly off-color idiom -- that is sometimes seen as the acronym HBB. he/she knows all the shit He/she is a 'know it all'. He/she acts like a 'know it all' Hıncal'ın yazısını okuyan arkadaşlar da 'Eee... Hıncal için HBB (Her B..u Bilir) diyen Deniz Gökçe çok haklı. Sazan gibi herşeyin üzerine atlarsa tabii rezil olur' dediler. And, friends who read Hıncal Uluç's newspaper article said, "Sooo, Deniz Gökçe (who said Hıncal behaves like 'a know it all') is quite right. A person who acts without thinking (who jumps on everything like a carp), is bound to be embarrassed (can be disgraced of course)." This cleaned up version appeared in Gözcü Gazetesi, 21 January 2004 Her gün (zaman/vakit) papaz pilav yemez. Note: Serves as an idiom and a proverb. The priest doesn't eat rice every day (always). Don't waste a rare opportunity. Don't ask sb too often for a favor. She'll/ He'll get fed up with you. Things don't always go the way you'd like. May be used as shown... Her koyun kendi bacağından asılır. Note: Serves as an idiom and a proverb. Every sheep hangs from its own leg. The trouble people get themselves into is usually of their own making. May be used as shown... Her şey yolunda. Everything is on the road Every thing is fine; All is OK. May be used as shown... Her yiğidin bir yoğurt yiyişi vardır. Note: Serves as an idiom and a proverb. There is a way of eating yogurt for every young man. Everyone likes his/her own way of doing things. May be used as shown... hesap kitap arithmetic book after careful consideration after full consideration a financial book account/work See Category 1 and 7, Turkish doublets. [-dan, -den] hesap sormak to ask arithmetic to call sb to account Şehit anaları ayaklandı: "Vurdumduymaz siyasilerden mutlaka hesap sorulmalı!" Mothers of martyred soldiers are on their feet (in protest): "Our thick-headed politicians must surely be brought to account!" Headline from a story in Gözcü Gazetesi, 8 July 2003 hesapsız without arithmetic innumerable countless incalculable Filistin sorununu işleyen kitaplar hesapsız. Books that treat the Palestinian problem are innumerable. Hı   hıncını almak [also hınç almak] to take grudge to get one's revenge   hıncını çıkarmak to remove grudge (from) to take revenge (on); vent one's spleen (on) Amerika şimdi her işi yokuşa sürüyor, her fırsatta hıncını çıkarmaya çalışıyor. Now, America is making every task an uphill struggle, using every opportunity to take revenge. Gözcü Gazetesi, 20 May 2003 Hi   hiç olmazsa never if it can't occur at least See illustration just below... At least, you could... Left click for enlarged, more legible cartoon. [-ı/-i] hiçe saymak to count to never to ignore/disregard (sb/sth) completely to regard (sb/sth) as completely unimportant to take no notice of (sb/sth) İngiliz Daily Star Gazetesi dün "Dünya Güzeli, çirkin fare Hewitt'i hiçe saydı" başlığıyla olaya geniş yer verdi. Yesterday, the British Daily Star Newspaper gave wide coverage to the event with the headline, "A World Beauty [Turkish beauty-queen Azra Akın] completely ignored the dirty rat James Hewitt [Princess Diana's one-time lover, turned tabloid tattle-tale]." Ho   hodri meydan Note: 'hodri' has no meaning except in this idiom. ... open-space Come on and try it! I dare you to try it! Başbakan Erdoğan, seçime gidilmesi halinde partisinin daha güçlü çıkacağını belirterek, 'Hodri meydan' dedi. [Turkish] Prime Minister Erdoğan said, "Come on and try it, I dare you" -- while making it clear that his [AKP] party would emerge [even] stronger, in the event of a new election. Gözcü Gazetesi, 18 September 2003 Hoş geldin(iz) You come pleasant! Welcome! You'll hear this every time you arrive at someone's house or place of business, and the response you should give is 'Hoş bulduk!' (Lit. Well found!; Fig. It's nice to be here!) [-ın/-in] hoş(un)a gitmek Also see: zevkine gitmek. to go to pleasant [of] (for sth) to be pleasing (to sb) (for sb) to like (sth) Aşırı sıcaklık yüzünden insanlar öylesine bunaldılar ki, çırılçıplak soyunup sokakta dolaşanlar bile var. Bu durum en çok sokaklarda çıplak dolaşan kadınları seyreden erkeklerin hoşuna gidiyor. Because of the extreme heat, people are so distressed that some strollers even undress and go naked in the street. Men (who, in this situation, can view naked woman strolling in most streets) like it [a lot]. Gözcü Gazetesi, 15 August 2003 (See photo-article below.) Hoşuma gidiyor! I like it! to like sth, for sth to be pleasing... (hoşuna gitmek) Left click for photo-article enlargement. Hu   [-a/-e] huzur vermek to give peace of mind to put (sb) in a tranquil frame of mind, make (sb) feel at peace with the world, give (sb) peace Irony anyone? Left click for image enlargement. Topluluk Müdürü Ömer Faruk Belvıranlı, özellikle sevgililere yönelik mutluluk ve huzur verecek seçkin ilahileri aldıklarını belirterek, 'Herkese sevgilsini yanına alarak bu güzel konsere katılmalarını tavsiye ediyorum. İlk kez gerçekleştirilecek bu programın büyük ilgi çekeceğini umuyoruz' diyor. While explaining that the distinguished 'hymns' they had chosen would give peace and happiness directed especially toward lovers, the group manager Ömer Faruk Belviranli said, "I recommend that everyone joins with us in this beautiful concert, taking their lovers along with them. We hope that the program (that will be presented for the first time ever) will attract a lot of interest." In reference to the Whirling Dervish concert planned for Lover's Day/Valentine's Day (14 February 2004) in Konya -- Gözcü Gazetesi, 6 February 2004 (See photo-article at left.) Related Pages: The Turkish Idioms A-Z, Index Turkish Acronyms/Abbreviations The Idiomatic M-Doublets Idioms Origin Stories, Index Idioms Illustrated by Cartoons #1 Unrelated fun: Turkish Recipe, Kadınbudu Köfte (Kadinbudu Kofte) - 'a womans thigh' Cheese -- Best Turkish Cheeses, Gourmet Top 10 Wine -- Best Turkish Wines, Gourmet Top 10 Turkish Movies - Best-Looking Bad Girl of the 1970s, Sevda Ferdağ Bad Girls of the 1970s Turkish Cinema, Aliye Rona Frequently asked questions about Turkey and the Turkish language llustrated Nargile Users Guide -- and Encyclopedia Our Honda Generator -- A Member of the Family 'Erotik' Movies -- The Short Unhappy Life of Mine Mutlu Erotik Angel? -- Melek Görgün Sizzling transsexual -- Emel Aydan Erotik 'Second Banana' -- Gülden Gül Deep-inside Dilber Ay White-Hot Real Blonde... the Ceyda Karahan Center Figen Han -- Fire down below... Arzu Okay -- brainy 'erotik' bombshell The Feri Cansel Story -- an erotik 'Beauty and the Beast' Zerrin Egeliler - (most of) everything you always wanted to know The Seyyal Taner Center The Seher Şeniz Center Tarkan's Metamorphosis Album -- Christmas Day Release Turkish Music -- Tarkan Real-Life Weight Loss a la turc - with alcohol! Habibullah and the Great Cannon Caper A simple Turkish 'thing'... Turkish Music -- Kayahan Turkish Belly Dancers Turkish Food and Turkish Drink Turkish Terms Of Endearment Turkish Personal Names Politically Incorrect Turkish Humor Why Off-Color Turkish is important too Gossipy Turkish Who's Who Turkish Movies -- Conventional and 'Erotik', Index We wish to extend thanks to Emin Özdemir, Osman Çizmeciler, Ömer Asım Aksoy, H. Fethi Gözler, Ferit Devellioğlu, Nermin and Muammer Yüzbaşıoğlu, Metin Yurtbaşı, Halil Uysal, Ali Püsküllüoğlu, Mehmet Hengirmen, and Ali Uslu for their Turkish Idioms source material -- on which some of this page is based.

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