Bedeutung
To have no free time due to work.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Turkish culture, complaining about being busy is often a way of showing that you are a valued and hardworking member of society. In white-collar jobs in Istanbul, this phrase is used to negotiate deadlines without sounding incompetent. During harvest season, this phrase is taken almost literally as farmers work from dawn to dusk. The competitive nature of exams like LGS and YKS makes this a standard phrase for teenagers.
Use it to say 'No'
It's a very polite way to decline an invitation without making the other person feel unimportant.
Match your suffixes
If you say 'Kafasını kaşıyacak vaktim yok', it sounds like you are waiting for someone else to scratch their head so you can have time. Always match 'Kafamı' with 'vaktim'.
Bedeutung
To have no free time due to work.
Use it to say 'No'
It's a very polite way to decline an invitation without making the other person feel unimportant.
Match your suffixes
If you say 'Kafasını kaşıyacak vaktim yok', it sounds like you are waiting for someone else to scratch their head so you can have time. Always match 'Kafamı' with 'vaktim'.
The 'Baş' Alternative
Using 'Başımı' instead of 'Kafamı' sounds slightly more traditional and is very common among older generations.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blanks with the correct possessive suffixes.
Benim çok işim var, kafa__ kaşıyacak vakti__ yok.
Since the subject is 'Ben' (I), you need the 1st person singular possessive suffixes: 'kafamı' and 'vaktim'.
Which situation best fits the idiom?
Ayşe is at home. She is watching TV and eating chips. Her phone rings.
The idiom implies being overwhelmed with work, not just being occupied with a leisure activity.
Match the person to the reason they might use this idiom.
1. A student during finals. 2. A chef during dinner rush. 3. A person on vacation.
Students and chefs are in high-pressure work/study situations. A person on vacation is usually the opposite.
Complete the dialogue.
Ahmet: 'Akşam bize yemeğe gelir misin?' Mehmet: 'Çok isterdim ama yarın büyük bir sunumum var, ________.'
Mehmet is talking about himself, so he must use the 1st person.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Busy vs. Super Busy
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenBenim çok işim var, kafa__ kaşıyacak vakti__ yok.
Since the subject is 'Ben' (I), you need the 1st person singular possessive suffixes: 'kafamı' and 'vaktim'.
Ayşe is at home. She is watching TV and eating chips. Her phone rings.
The idiom implies being overwhelmed with work, not just being occupied with a leisure activity.
1. A student during finals. 2. A chef during dinner rush. 3. A person on vacation.
Students and chefs are in high-pressure work/study situations. A person on vacation is usually the opposite.
Ahmet: 'Akşam bize yemeğe gelir misin?' Mehmet: 'Çok isterdim ama yarın büyük bir sunumum var, ________.'
Mehmet is talking about himself, so he must use the 1st person.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot at all. It is a standard, neutral idiom used in professional and personal settings.
Yes, it can imply that business is booming and you are successful.
'Çok meşgulüm' is a direct statement. This idiom is more descriptive and emphasizes the *intensity* of the busyness.
You can use 'baş' instead. Both are perfectly correct.
Yes: 'Dün kafamı kaşıyacak vaktim yoktu.'
A more casual version is 'Başımı kaşıyamıyorum.'
Yes: 'Kafamızı kaşıyacak vaktimiz yok.'
Yes, in journalism, novels, and informal emails.
Usually, yes, but it can also just imply a very full schedule.
It's understandable but 'vaktim' is the idiomatic choice.
Verwandte Redewendungen
nefes alacak vakti olmamak
synonymTo not have time to breathe.
başını kaldırmadan çalışmak
similarTo work without lifting one's head.
iki ayağı bir pabuca girmek
similarTo be in a great rush/panic.
vakit nakittir
builds onTime is money.
