المعنى
Just barely on time or just enough.
خلفية ثقافية
Turkish people often use this phrase with a sigh of relief (Phew! - Of!). It's part of the 'heroic' narrative of overcoming daily chaos. In Istanbul, 'kılı kılına' is the standard way to describe any commute involving the Metrobüs or Vapur. In Turkish business, deadlines are often met 'kılı kılına'. It's culturally accepted but often discussed with a bit of 'stress-humor'. University students use this to describe passing difficult 'vize' (midterm) or 'final' exams with the absolute minimum grade.
The 'Phew' Factor
Always use this phrase with a sense of relief. It's not just a fact; it's an emotion!
Don't pluralize
Never say 'kılları kıllarına'. It's a fixed idiom and will sound very strange if changed.
المعنى
Just barely on time or just enough.
The 'Phew' Factor
Always use this phrase with a sense of relief. It's not just a fact; it's an emotion!
Don't pluralize
Never say 'kılları kıllarına'. It's a fixed idiom and will sound very strange if changed.
Pair with 'Yetişmek'
If you want to sound like a native, use it with the verb 'yetişmek' (to catch/reach). It's the most common pairing.
The 'Son Dakika' Spirit
Use this when talking about Turkish football or politics to show you understand the 'last-minute' culture.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
Otobüs tam kalkarken bindim, ______ yetiştim.
Because the person caught the bus at the very last second, 'kılı kılına' is the correct choice.
Match the situation to the phrase.
You have 50 TL and the bill is exactly 50 TL.
When money matches the cost exactly with nothing left, we use 'kılı kılına yetti'.
Which sentence is more natural for a B2 speaker?
A: Sınavdan 60 aldım, baraj 60'tı. B: Sınavdan 100 aldım.
You only use 'kılı kılına' if you are at the minimum limit.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Uçağa binebildin mi?' Mehmet: 'Evet, kapılar kapanırken ______.'
The context of 'doors closing' implies a very narrow success.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Success vs. Near Miss
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينOtobüs tam kalkarken bindim, ______ yetiştim.
Because the person caught the bus at the very last second, 'kılı kılına' is the correct choice.
You have 50 TL and the bill is exactly 50 TL.
When money matches the cost exactly with nothing left, we use 'kılı kılına yetti'.
A: Sınavdan 60 aldım, baraj 60'tı. B: Sınavdan 100 aldım.
You only use 'kılı kılına' if you are at the minimum limit.
Ayşe: 'Uçağa binebildin mi?' Mehmet: 'Evet, kapılar kapanırken ______.'
The context of 'doors closing' implies a very narrow success.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
12 أسئلةNot at all. It's a neutral, descriptive idiom used by everyone from students to news anchors.
Yes! 'Arabaya kılı kılına sığdık' (We fit into the car just barely) is a very common sentence.
They are 90% the same. 'Ucu ucuna' is slightly more common for money/budgets, 'kılı kılına' for time/exams.
Usually, it implies stress, but it can be a 'happy' relief. 'Piyango kılı kılına bana çıktı' is rare but possible.
It's better for journalism or stories. In a formal legal contract, use 'tam zamanında'.
Yes, but in idioms, it represents the smallest possible unit of anything.
No. It implies you made it. If you were late, say 'Kıl payı kaçırdım'.
It's like the sound you make when you are thinking: 'uhhh'.
No, it's a standard idiom (deyim).
Yes, if the ingredients were 'exactly' enough for the dish.
Probably 'bol bol' (plenty) or 'fazlasıyla' (more than enough).
Turkish uses reduplication (ikileme) to add emphasis and create adverbs.
عبارات ذات صلة
ucu ucuna
synonymTip to tip / barely enough
kıl payı
similarBy a hair's breadth
tamı tamına
similarExactly / precisely
son dakikada
builds onAt the last minute
ancak
specialized formOnly / just
