Bedeutung
Waiting for someone for a long time.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase is a recurring motif in 'Türkü' (folk songs). It often symbolizes the pain of 'ayrılık' (separation) and the hope of 'kavuşma' (reunion). Telling a guest 'Gözümüz yollarda kaldı' is a way of making them feel valued. It suggests that their absence was felt and their arrival was the highlight of the day. In Turkey, military service is a rite of passage. Families often use this phrase to describe the long months spent waiting for their sons to return from duty. In the era of WhatsApp, 'Gözüm yollarda kaldı' is often used when someone sees 'Online' or 'Typing...' but doesn't receive a message for a long time.
Use with 'Valla'
In informal Turkish, adding 'valla' (honestly/by God) adds sincerity: 'Valla gözüm yollarda kaldı!'
Don't forget the possessive
Saying 'Göz yollarda kaldı' sounds like a medical condition where an eye literally fell on the road. Always use 'Gözüm', 'Gözün', etc.
Bedeutung
Waiting for someone for a long time.
Use with 'Valla'
In informal Turkish, adding 'valla' (honestly/by God) adds sincerity: 'Valla gözüm yollarda kaldı!'
Don't forget the possessive
Saying 'Göz yollarda kaldı' sounds like a medical condition where an eye literally fell on the road. Always use 'Gözüm', 'Gözün', etc.
The 'Reproach' Nuance
Be careful; if said with a sharp tone, it can sound like you are angry at the person for being late. Use a warm tone to show you missed them.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
Annem gelmedi, bütün gün ______ yollarda kaldı.
Since the subject is 'Annem' (My mother), we need the 3rd person singular possessive 'gözü'.
Choose the best response for the situation.
Ayşe: 'Kusura bakma, çok geç kaldım.' Mehmet: '_______'
'Gözüm yollarda kaldı' is the appropriate response to someone arriving late. 'Gözün aydın' is for good news, 'Gözden düştün' means to lose favor, and 'Göz kulak ol' means to watch over something.
Match the sentence to the most likely context.
Sentence: 'Gözümüz yollarda kaldı, çocuklar nerede?'
The idiom is used for people we have an emotional connection with, and 'Gözümüz' (Our eyes) fits a couple like grandparents.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct usage:
The idiom requires a context of waiting for someone. 'Ağaç olmak' (to become a tree) is another idiom for waiting a long time, making this a perfect match.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Waiting Idioms
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenAnnem gelmedi, bütün gün ______ yollarda kaldı.
Since the subject is 'Annem' (My mother), we need the 3rd person singular possessive 'gözü'.
Ayşe: 'Kusura bakma, çok geç kaldım.' Mehmet: '_______'
'Gözüm yollarda kaldı' is the appropriate response to someone arriving late. 'Gözün aydın' is for good news, 'Gözden düştün' means to lose favor, and 'Göz kulak ol' means to watch over something.
Sentence: 'Gözümüz yollarda kaldı, çocuklar nerede?'
The idiom is used for people we have an emotional connection with, and 'Gözümüz' (Our eyes) fits a couple like grandparents.
Choose the correct usage:
The idiom requires a context of waiting for someone. 'Ağaç olmak' (to become a tree) is another idiom for waiting a long time, making this a perfect match.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenTechnically yes, but it sounds very dramatic or sarcastic. It's better to use 'Otobüs nerede kaldı?'
The idiom is almost always plural: 'yollarda'. Using 'yolda' sounds more literal and less like the fixed expression.
Not at all! It is used daily by people of all ages, though it has its roots in traditional life.
Only if you have a very close, friendly relationship with the person. Otherwise, it's too personal.
'Dört gözle beklemek' is about excitement/impatience. 'Gözü yollarda kalmak' is about longing/anxiety/duration.
Use the 1st person plural: 'Gözümüz yollarda kaldı.'
Yes! You can say 'Aramanı beklerken gözüm yollarda kaldı' (metaphorically waiting for the call to 'arrive').
No, it's generally positive or neutral, showing that the person is important to you.
A common slang way to say you waited a long time is 'Ağaç oldum' (I became a tree).
No, that would be very confusing. It is for someone who is expected to actually arrive.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Dört gözle beklemek
similarTo wait with four eyes (very eagerly).
Yolunu gözlemek
builds onTo watch someone's path.
Gözü aydın
contrastMay your eye be bright (congratulations on good news/arrival).
Şafak saymak
specialized formTo count the dawns.
