Significado
To say something without any evidence or facts.
Contexto cultural
In Turkey, competitive exams like YKS are entirely multiple-choice. This has created a subculture of 'atmasyon' (the act of guessing), where students share tips on which letter is more likely to be correct when you 'kafadan at'. Locals often feel bad saying 'I don't know' to a stranger's question. This leads to 'kafadan atma' directions. It's better to ask three different people and take the average! With the rise of 'fake news', the term 'kafadan atmak' is frequently used in comments sections on Twitter (X) to discredit unverified claims. In traditional 'Kıraathane' (coffeehouses), men often engage in heated political debates where 'kafadan atmak' is a common rhetorical tool to win an argument.
Use it for 'I don't know'
If you are playing a game and don't know the answer, say 'Kafadan atıyorum: 5!' to show you are just guessing.
Avoid in Business
If a boss asks for a report, never say you 'kafadan attın' the data. Use 'tahmin ettim' (I estimated) instead.
Significado
To say something without any evidence or facts.
Use it for 'I don't know'
If you are playing a game and don't know the answer, say 'Kafadan atıyorum: 5!' to show you are just guessing.
Avoid in Business
If a boss asks for a report, never say you 'kafadan attın' the data. Use 'tahmin ettim' (I estimated) instead.
The 'Sallamak' Upgrade
If you want to sound very native and casual with friends, use 'Sallama be!' instead of 'Kafadan atma!'
The 'Atma' Culture
In Turkey, 'atmak' is almost an art form. Don't be too offended if someone does it; it's often just a way to keep the conversation flowing.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'kafadan atmak'.
Sınavda hiçbir soruyu bilmiyordum, hepsini ______.
The subject is 'I' (bilmiyordum), so the verb must be 1st person singular past tense: 'attım'.
Which situation is most appropriate for using 'kafadan atmak'?
Hangi durumda 'kafadan atmak' deyimi kullanılır?
The phrase is used for guessing without knowledge.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Bu telefonun fiyatı 50.000 TL olmuş!' Mehmet: 'Hadi canım, ______! Daha dün baktım 30.000 TL idi.'
Mehmet is telling Ayşe not to make things up, so the imperative negative 'atma' is correct.
Match the phrase to the meaning.
Kafadan atmak = ?
It means to guess or fabricate without evidence.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Guessing vs. Knowing
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosSınavda hiçbir soruyu bilmiyordum, hepsini ______.
The subject is 'I' (bilmiyordum), so the verb must be 1st person singular past tense: 'attım'.
Hangi durumda 'kafadan atmak' deyimi kullanılır?
The phrase is used for guessing without knowledge.
Ayşe: 'Bu telefonun fiyatı 50.000 TL olmuş!' Mehmet: 'Hadi canım, ______! Daha dün baktım 30.000 TL idi.'
Mehmet is telling Ayşe not to make things up, so the imperative negative 'atma' is correct.
Kafadan atmak = ?
It means to guess or fabricate without evidence.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt can be. If you tell someone 'Kafadan atıyorsun!', you are essentially calling them a liar or ignorant. Use it only with people you are close to.
Yes! If you guess someone's age correctly by chance, you can say 'Kafadan attım ama bildim!' (I guessed wildly but I got it right!).
'Uydurmak' is the general verb for inventing. 'Kafadan atmak' is more specific to the act of speaking without thinking or knowing.
You can say 'Kafadan atarak yapıyorum' or 'Doğaçlama yapıyorum' (I'm improvising).
Yes, 'atmasyon' is a slang noun for a made-up story or the act of guessing.
No, it's too informal. Use 'tahmin yürütmek' (to speculate/guess) instead.
Not necessarily. It often just means guessing. If you guess 'C' on a test, you aren't lying, you're just 'throwing from the head'.
It's a more vulgar version of the same phrase, meaning to talk complete nonsense from your gut/stomach.
Only in informal writing like texts, social media, or dialogue in novels.
'Bilgiye dayanmak' (to be based on knowledge) or 'araştırmak' (to research).
Frases relacionadas
sallamak
synonymTo swing/shake; to talk nonsense.
uydurmak
similarTo fabricate or invent.
işkembeden atmak
specialized formTo talk out of one's tripe.
palavra sıkmak
similarTo tell tall tales.
desteksiz atmak
builds onTo throw without support.
