Significado
To fail to keep a commitment.
Contexto cultural
In traditional Turkish business circles, especially among 'Esnaf' (tradesmen), a person's word is often more important than a written contract. Breaking a word can lead to a total loss of 'itibar' (reputation). The phrase is a staple of political rhetoric. Opposition parties constantly accuse the ruling party of 'sözünden dönmek' regarding election manifestos. Parents use this phrase to teach children about integrity. It is considered a major character flaw to be known as someone who 'sözünden döner'. Many Turkish folk songs (Türkü) deal with themes of betrayal and broken promises, often using 'sözünden dönmek' to describe a lover who left.
Use with Possessives
Always remember to change the suffix based on who broke the promise: sözümden, sözünden, sözünden, sözümüzden...
It's a Serious Accusation
Calling someone a 'sözünden dönen' person is a heavy insult to their character in Turkey. Use it carefully.
Significado
To fail to keep a commitment.
Use with Possessives
Always remember to change the suffix based on who broke the promise: sözümden, sözünden, sözünden, sözümüzden...
It's a Serious Accusation
Calling someone a 'sözünden dönen' person is a heavy insult to their character in Turkey. Use it carefully.
The 'Caymak' Alternative
If you want to sound less dramatic about a cancelled plan, use 'caymak' instead.
Honor Connection
Remember that 'söz' is linked to 'namus' (honor). Breaking it is seen as a moral failure.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'sözünden dönmek'.
O kadar yemin etti ama sonunda yine ______.
The past tense 'döndü' is needed, and 'söz' must have the 3rd person possessive and ablative case.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'Don't break your promise' to a close friend?
Arkadaşına hangisini söylersin?
'Sözünden dönme' is the standard idiom. 'Sözünü yeme' exists but is more like 'don't eat your words'.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Your business partner decides not to invest the money they promised.
This expresses the negative impact of the broken promise in a professional context.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Yarın sinemaya gidiyoruz, değil mi? B: Gelemeyeceğim, işim çıktı. A: Ama söz vermiştin! ______?
The present continuous 'dönüyorsun' with 'şimdi' (now) fits the immediate reaction best.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosO kadar yemin etti ama sonunda yine ______.
The past tense 'döndü' is needed, and 'söz' must have the 3rd person possessive and ablative case.
Arkadaşına hangisini söylersin?
'Sözünden dönme' is the standard idiom. 'Sözünü yeme' exists but is more like 'don't eat your words'.
Situation: Your business partner decides not to invest the money they promised.
This expresses the negative impact of the broken promise in a professional context.
A: Yarın sinemaya gidiyoruz, değil mi? B: Gelemeyeceğim, işim çıktı. A: Ama söz vermiştin! ______?
The present continuous 'dönüyorsun' with 'şimdi' (now) fits the immediate reaction best.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasYes, but it usually refers to the verbal agreement behind the contract. For legal breaches, 'sözleşmeyi ihlal etmek' is more formal.
Mostly yes, but you can metaphorically use it for institutions like 'hükümet' (government) or 'şirket' (company).
'Yalan söylemek' is lying about a fact. 'Sözünden dönmek' is failing to do a future action you promised.
It is direct. If you say it to someone's face, it is a confrontation.
You can say 'Sözümden dönmem' or 'Sözümde dururum'.
You can, but it might sound a bit dramatic. 'Söz vermiştin!' (You promised!) is common for small things.
It always takes the ablative case (-den/-dan).
Yes, 'kıvırmak' (to wriggle) is often used when someone tries to get out of a promise.
Not necessarily. It implies that at the time you said it, you might have meant it, but now you aren't doing it.
Only if you are talking about your own integrity: 'Asla sözümden dönmem' (I never go back on my word).
Extremely common. Turkish pop and folk music are full of 'sözünden dönen' lovers.
The most common opposite is 'sözünde durmak'.
Frases relacionadas
sözünde durmak
contrastTo keep one's promise
söz vermek
builds onTo make a promise
caymak
synonymTo back out
tükürdüğünü yalamak
specialized formTo eat one's words (literally: to lick what one spat)
sözünün eri olmak
similarTo be a man of one's word
