Bedeutung
Asking for charity or help
Kultureller Hintergrund
The concept of 'Veren el, alan elden üstündür' (The giving hand is superior to the receiving hand) is a fundamental cultural belief that makes 'el açmak' a humble act. In Sufism, 'el açmak' to God is seen as the ultimate state of 'fakr' (spiritual poverty/humility), where the believer acknowledges they own nothing. In the Ottoman era, there were 'Sadaka Taşları' (Charity Stones) where people would leave money so that those who needed to 'el açmak' could take it without being seen, preserving their dignity. Today, 'el açmak' is often discussed in the context of 'sosyal devlet' (the social state), debating whether the state provides enough so people don't have to beg.
Dative Case
Always remember to use -e/-a for the person you are asking help from.
Don't over-use
It's a strong idiom. For small favors, just use 'yardım istemek'.
Bedeutung
Asking for charity or help
Dative Case
Always remember to use -e/-a for the person you are asking help from.
Don't over-use
It's a strong idiom. For small favors, just use 'yardım istemek'.
Dual Meaning
Use it for both begging and praying to sound more like a native speaker.
Pride
In Turkey, saying 'Kimseye el açmam' is a common way to show you are hardworking and independent.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'el açmak'.
O kadar gururlu ki, aç kalsa bile kimseye ______.
The sentence describes a general character trait ('He is so proud that...'), so the simple present (geniş zaman) negative is required.
Which sentence uses 'el açmak' in a religious context?
Aşağıdaki cümlelerin hangisinde 'el açmak' dini bir anlamda kullanılmıştır?
Opening hands to God (Allah) is the standard way to describe prayer in Turkish.
Match the situation with the correct phrase.
Durumları ifadelerle eşleştirin.
El açmak is for asking, el uzatmak is for giving.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: Neden bu kadar çok çalışıyorsun? Mehmet: Çünkü yaşlanınca çocuklarıma ______ istemiyorum.
Mehmet wants to be financially independent so he doesn't have to ask his children for money.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
El Açmak vs El Uzatmak
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenO kadar gururlu ki, aç kalsa bile kimseye ______.
The sentence describes a general character trait ('He is so proud that...'), so the simple present (geniş zaman) negative is required.
Aşağıdaki cümlelerin hangisinde 'el açmak' dini bir anlamda kullanılmıştır?
Opening hands to God (Allah) is the standard way to describe prayer in Turkish.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
El açmak is for asking, el uzatmak is for giving.
Ayşe: Neden bu kadar çok çalışıyorsun? Mehmet: Çünkü yaşlanınca çocuklarıma ______ istemiyorum.
Mehmet wants to be financially independent so he doesn't have to ask his children for money.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenNo, it's not rude, but it describes a humble or desperate situation. It's more empathetic than 'dilenmek'.
Yes, but it implies you are asking because you are in a very difficult spot, not just for a casual business loan.
'Avuç açmak' is more visual and emphasizes the palms, but they are 99% interchangeable.
No, it can also mean asking for any kind of vital help or praying to God.
You say 'El açmak istemiyorum'.
Yes, especially in literature, news, and religious texts.
Yes, but context usually makes it clear if it's literal or figurative.
The opposite is 'el uzatmak' (to help) or 'kendi ayakları üzerinde durmak' (to stand on one's own feet).
Very common, especially in arabesque and religious music.
No, that would be too dramatic. Use 'istemek' instead.
The verb conjugates normally (el açtılar), but 'el' usually stays singular.
Only if a company is going bankrupt and needs a bailout.
The hand represents power, labor, and social connection in Turkish culture.
You can, but 'el açtım' is the standard idiomatic form.
Verwandte Redewendungen
el uzatmak
contrastto help someone
avuç açmak
synonymto beg or pray
muhtaç olmak
similarto be in need
dilenmek
synonymto beg
el açtırmak
builds onto make someone beg
kapı kapı dolaşmak
similarto go door to door
