Bedeutung
To act in a way that makes return impossible.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The idiom is often linked to the conquest of Istanbul and the War of Independence, symbolizing the 'independence or death' (ya istiklal ya ölüm) spirit. In songs, 'gemileri yakmak' often refers to a lover who is so hurt that they destroy all memories and possibilities of reconciliation. Turkish entrepreneurs use this to describe leaving stable jobs for the uncertainty of a startup, reflecting a shift from traditional security to risky innovation. On platforms like X (Twitter), it's used when someone posts a very controversial opinion that might get them 'cancelled' or fired.
Use for emphasis
Use this when you want to sound determined and serious about a change.
Too dramatic?
Don't use it for small things like 'I burned the ships and bought a different brand of milk.'
Bedeutung
To act in a way that makes return impossible.
Use for emphasis
Use this when you want to sound determined and serious about a change.
Too dramatic?
Don't use it for small things like 'I burned the ships and bought a different brand of milk.'
Pair with 'Artık'
It sounds very natural when paired with 'artık' (now/anymore). E.g., 'Artık gemileri yaktım.'
Historical weight
Remember the Tariq ibn Ziyad story; it helps you feel the 'heat' of the idiom.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Artık geri dönemem, bütün _________ _________.
The standard idiom for 'no turning back' is 'gemileri yakmak'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'gemileri yakmak'?
Hangi durumda 'gemileri yakmak' deyimi kullanılır?
This represents a radical, irreversible life change.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Ayşe: 'İşinden memnun değil misin?' Mehmet: 'Hayır, bugün patronla kavga ettim ve _________.'
Kavga edip ayrılmak geri dönüşü olmayan bir yola girmektir.
Match the idiom to the correct meaning.
Gemileri yakmak = ?
The figurative meaning is to make return impossible.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenArtık geri dönemem, bütün _________ _________.
The standard idiom for 'no turning back' is 'gemileri yakmak'.
Hangi durumda 'gemileri yakmak' deyimi kullanılır?
This represents a radical, irreversible life change.
Ayşe: 'İşinden memnun değil misin?' Mehmet: 'Hayır, bugün patronla kavga ettim ve _________.'
Kavga edip ayrılmak geri dönüşü olmayan bir yola girmektir.
Gemileri yakmak = ?
The figurative meaning is to make return impossible.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes! It often implies a positive, brave step toward a better future, even if it's risky.
Very similar, but 'gemileri yakmak' is often more about your own journey, while 'burning bridges' is about relationships.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business meeting to show commitment.
Yes, 'gemi yakmak' sounds like a literal act of arson, not the idiom.
Maybe 'açık kapı bırakmak' (to leave a door open).
It's rare. Stick to 'gemileri' for the idiomatic effect.
Yes, often for political leaders making big, irreversible decisions.
The past tense (yaktım/yaktı) is most common because the decision is usually made.
Yes, it's very common for a final, 'never-calling-you-again' breakup.
Not at all. It's a living, breathing part of modern Turkish.
Verwandte Redewendungen
köprüleri yakmak
synonymTo burn bridges
dönüşü olmayan yola girmek
similarTo enter a road with no return
her şeyi göze almak
builds onTo risk everything
gemileri batırmak
similarTo sink the ships
köprüleri atmak
synonymTo throw/destroy bridges
