Bedeutung
To do something dangerous.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In old Istanbul, houses were made of wood (ahşap). A single fire could destroy thousands of homes. This makes 'playing with fire' a very visceral and terrifying metaphor for Turks. The phrase is a popular title for songs, usually about dangerous or forbidden love. It highlights the 'passionate' side of the fire metaphor. Turkish parents are often very protective. You will hear this idiom used frequently by elders to warn younger generations about any life choice that isn't 'safe' or 'traditional'. In Turkish business culture, loyalty is highly valued. Acting against your company or boss is seen as 'playing with fire' because the social and professional consequences are severe.
Use it for warnings
This is most powerful when used as a second-person warning: 'Ateşle oynuyorsun!'
Don't be literal
If you see a house on fire, don't say 'Ateşle oynuyorlar' unless they actually started it for fun.
Bedeutung
To do something dangerous.
Use it for warnings
This is most powerful when used as a second-person warning: 'Ateşle oynuyorsun!'
Don't be literal
If you see a house on fire, don't say 'Ateşle oynuyorlar' unless they actually started it for fun.
Combine with 'resmen'
Adding 'resmen' (literally/officially) adds emphasis: 'Resmen ateşle oynuyorsun!'
Song lyrics
Listen to Erol Evgin's 'Ateşle Oynama' to hear the phrase in a romantic context.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
Patronunla bu kadar sert konuşma, resmen ______ oynuyorsun.
The idiom is 'ateşle oynamak'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'ateşle oynamak'?
Hangi durumda 'ateşle oynamak' deyimi kullanılır?
The idiom refers to taking dangerous risks.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Ehliyetim yok ama araba süreceğim.' Fatma: 'Yapma Ayşe, ______!'
Driving without a license is a dangerous risk.
Match the risk to the warning.
Vergi kaçırmak (Evading taxes)
Tax evasion is a serious legal risk.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenPatronunla bu kadar sert konuşma, resmen ______ oynuyorsun.
The idiom is 'ateşle oynamak'.
Hangi durumda 'ateşle oynamak' deyimi kullanılır?
The idiom refers to taking dangerous risks.
Ayşe: 'Ehliyetim yok ama araba süreceğim.' Fatma: 'Yapma Ayşe, ______!'
Driving without a license is a dangerous risk.
Vergi kaçırmak (Evading taxes)
Tax evasion is a serious legal risk.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it is almost always negative. It implies a risk that is foolish or dangerous.
Only if you have a very close relationship. Otherwise, it sounds like you are criticizing their judgment too harshly.
There isn't a direct opposite idiom, but 'işini sağlama almak' (to make one's business secure) is a good contrast.
Usually yes, but it can apply to organizations or governments.
It would sound very strange. It's a warning, not a challenge.
No, it is a standard idiom used in all levels of society.
Ateşle oynadım.
Yes, very frequently for international relations and economy.
Yes, if you think the sport is unnecessarily dangerous.
Yes. 'Risk almak' can be positive (e.g., in business). 'Ateşle oynamak' is always seen as a bad or reckless risk.
Verwandte Redewendungen
ateşe körükle gitmek
similarTo make a bad situation worse.
kendi başını yakmak
builds onTo cause one's own ruin.
barut fıçısı
similarA powder keg (a dangerous situation).
bıçak sırtında yürümek
similarTo walk on a knife's edge.
yılanla oynamak
synonymTo play with a snake.
