Significado
To have someone's support.
Contexto cultural
In Turkey, it is culturally expected for parents to support their children well into adulthood, and for children to support elderly parents. 'Sırtını dayamak' is the linguistic expression of this lifelong mutual safety net. The phrase is often used to describe 'torpil' (nepotism). Having a 'dayı' (uncle/powerful contact) to lean on is a common theme in Turkish workplace humor and social critique. In spiritual contexts, dervishes speak of 'sırtını Hakk'a dayamak' (leaning one's back on God/Truth), meaning total surrender and trust in divine providence. Turkish politicians frequently use this phrase to show they are 'of the people'. By saying they lean on the nation, they contrast themselves with those who lean on 'foreign powers' (dış güçler).
Use with 'Sağlam'
To sound more native, use 'Sırtını sağlam bir yere dayamak' (To lean your back on a solid place). It emphasizes that the support is truly reliable.
Negative Connotation
Be careful using this about coworkers. It can imply they are lazy and only have their job because of someone else.
Significado
To have someone's support.
Use with 'Sağlam'
To sound more native, use 'Sırtını sağlam bir yere dayamak' (To lean your back on a solid place). It emphasizes that the support is truly reliable.
Negative Connotation
Be careful using this about coworkers. It can imply they are lazy and only have their job because of someone else.
The 'Dayı' Factor
In Turkey, 'Dayı' (maternal uncle) is the stereotypical person one leans on. You might hear people say 'Dayısı var' to mean he has someone to lean on.
Grammar Hack
Always remember: Person + A/E + Sırt + Possessive + I + Dayamak.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'sırtını dayamak'.
O kadar zengin ki, ömür boyu babasının mirasına ______.
The sentence implies a possibility or capability due to wealth, so 'dayayabilir' (can lean) is the most logical fit.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct sentence:
The verb 'dayamak' requires the dative case (-a).
Complete the dialogue with a natural response.
A: Bu zor günlerde ne yapacaksın? B: Hiç korkmuyorum, çünkü ______.
The context of 'not being afraid' in 'hard days' requires a phrase about support.
Match the situation to the meaning of the idiom.
Situation: A politician says 'Sırtımızı halka dayıyoruz'.
In political rhetoric, 'sırtını dayamak' means deriving legitimacy and power from a group.
Match the Turkish phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the pairs:
These are all common 'sırt' idioms in Turkish.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Ayudas visuales
Sırt Idioms
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejerciciosO kadar zengin ki, ömür boyu babasının mirasına ______.
The sentence implies a possibility or capability due to wealth, so 'dayayabilir' (can lean) is the most logical fit.
Choose the correct sentence:
The verb 'dayamak' requires the dative case (-a).
A: Bu zor günlerde ne yapacaksın? B: Hiç korkmuyorum, çünkü ______.
The context of 'not being afraid' in 'hard days' requires a phrase about support.
Situation: A politician says 'Sırtımızı halka dayıyoruz'.
In political rhetoric, 'sırtını dayamak' means deriving legitimacy and power from a group.
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
These are all common 'sırt' idioms in Turkish.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasYes, you can say 'Merdiveni duvara dayadım' (I leaned the ladder against the wall). The idiom is just a figurative extension of this.
Not always. It can imply a lack of independence or nepotism depending on the tone of voice.
'Güvenmek' is the feeling of trust. 'Sırtını dayamak' is the act of relying on that trust for security or benefit.
Yes, 'Sırtını mantığa dayamak' (Leaning on logic) is a common way to say your arguments are based on logic.
You can say 'Sırtımı dayayacak kimsem yok.'
Yes, it's a very common synonym, though 'sırt' is slightly more common in emotional contexts.
It might be a bit too informal for a very formal email. Use 'destek almak' or 'iş birliği yapmak' instead.
It takes the Dative case (-a/-e).
Yes, 'sırtını dayadı' is very common in storytelling.
In phrases like 'Babasına sırtını dayayıp yatıyor', yes, it implies the person is not trying because they have support.
Frequently! It's a staple of Turkish pop and arabesque music about loyalty and love.
Yes, 'Küçük ülkeler büyük güçlere sırtını dayar.'
Frases relacionadas
arkası sağlam
similarTo have powerful connections.
sırt çevirmek
contrastTo ignore or abandon someone.
sırtından vurmak
contrastTo betray someone.
sırtı yere gelmemek
builds onTo never be defeated.
dayanak noktası
specialized formPoint of support / Fulcrum.
