Bedeutung
Having a very strong, intimate bond.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Turkey, being 'can ciğer' often involves sharing meals. The liver (ciğer) is a popular dish (like Edirne Ciğeri), and sharing it symbolizes deep friendship. Classical poets used 'ciğer' to describe the seat of the soul's pain. To share a liver meant to share one's deepest suffering and joy. Young Turks use 'can ciğerim' as a comment on photos to show support, similar to 'bestie' in English but with more weight. In rural Anatolia, 'can ciğer' bonds are often considered more binding than legal contracts, especially in business or local politics.
Use with 'Kuzu Sarması'
If you want to sound like a native, add 'kuzu sarması' at the end when talking about people who are always together.
Not for Romance
Don't use this to tell someone you are in love with them. It's for deep friendship and loyalty.
Bedeutung
Having a very strong, intimate bond.
Use with 'Kuzu Sarması'
If you want to sound like a native, add 'kuzu sarması' at the end when talking about people who are always together.
Not for Romance
Don't use this to tell someone you are in love with them. It's for deep friendship and loyalty.
The 'Ciğerim' Nickname
You can call a very close friend 'Ciğerim' (My liver/my dear) as a term of endearment.
Liver vs. Heart
Remember that in Turkish, the liver is often more 'serious' than the heart in idioms.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Onlar çocukluktan beri ______ ______ oldular.
The correct idiom is 'can ciğer olmak'.
Which sentence best describes two inseparable friends?
Hangisi doğru?
The word order is fixed as 'can ciğer' and it uses the verb 'olmak' (to be).
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the idiom.
Two friends who haven't spoken for years suddenly start doing everything together.
This variation is perfect for emphasizing a sudden or renewed intense closeness.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ahmet ile Mehmet neden hep birlikteler? B: Bilmiyor musun? Onlar artık ______ ______.
Being 'can ciğer' explains why they are always together.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Friendship Levels in Turkish
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenOnlar çocukluktan beri ______ ______ oldular.
The correct idiom is 'can ciğer olmak'.
Hangisi doğru?
The word order is fixed as 'can ciğer' and it uses the verb 'olmak' (to be).
Two friends who haven't spoken for years suddenly start doing everything together.
This variation is perfect for emphasizing a sudden or renewed intense closeness.
A: Ahmet ile Mehmet neden hep birlikteler? B: Bilmiyor musun? Onlar artık ______ ______.
Being 'can ciğer' explains why they are always together.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenMostly, but it can also describe siblings or cousins who are very close. It's rarely used for romantic partners unless emphasizing their friendship.
No, it's too informal. Use 'yakın iş birliği' (close cooperation) instead.
'Arkadaş' is anyone you know and like. 'Can ciğer' is someone you would trust with your life.
Historically, the liver was seen as the center of life and deep emotions in many Eastern cultures, including Turkish.
Only if you have a very long-standing, personal relationship outside of class. Otherwise, it's too casual.
Yes! You can say you and your dog are 'can ciğer'.
Only if used sarcastically to imply two people are plotting something together.
You can say 'Eskisi gibi can ciğer değiliz.'
It's a bit playful and very common. It's not a joke, but it's very informal.
It's considered B1 (Intermediate) because it's a common idiom used in daily life.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Aralarından su sızmamak
synonymNot even water can pass between them.
Kanka olmak
similarTo be blood brothers.
İçli dışlı olmak
similarTo be very familiar with someone.
Kanlı bıçaklı olmak
contrastTo be at daggers drawn (deadly enemies).
Sırdaş olmak
builds onTo be confidants.
