Significado
Excessive worry can lead to trouble.
Contexto cultural
The proverb is often linked to the 'Evil Eye' (Nazar). Turks believe that if you value something too much, you should hide it or use a 'Nazar Boncuğu' (Blue Eye Amulet) to protect it, otherwise, the universe will 'punish' your obsession. There is a strong sense of 'Kader' (Fate) in Anatolia. This proverb teaches that you cannot escape your fate through anxiety; in fact, anxiety might be the path to your fate. In big cities like Istanbul, this is used ironically for 'white-collar' problems, like over-preparing for a presentation or being too careful with expensive tech. Grandmothers often use this to tell young mothers to let their children play in the dirt, believing that 'sterilized' lives lead to weaker children.
Use it for Irony
Only use this when there is a clear irony between the effort to protect and the resulting damage.
Don't be Mean
If someone is really sad about a loss, this proverb might sound like you are saying 'It's your fault for caring too much.' Use it with a sympathetic tone.
Significado
Excessive worry can lead to trouble.
Use it for Irony
Only use this when there is a clear irony between the effort to protect and the resulting damage.
Don't be Mean
If someone is really sad about a loss, this proverb might sound like you are saying 'It's your fault for caring too much.' Use it with a sympathetic tone.
The Aorist Rule
Always keep the verb as 'batar'. Changing it to 'batıyor' or 'battı' makes it lose its 'proverbial' status.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing word in the proverb.
Sakınan ______ çöp batar.
The verb 'batmak' requires the dative case (-e).
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Sakınan göze çöp batar'?
Choose the best scenario:
The proverb is about irony—something bad happening despite (or because of) over-protection.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form.
Ayşe: 'Yeni vazomu çok seviyorum, ona dokunmaya bile kıyamıyorum.' Mehmet: 'Dikkat et Ayşe, _________________.'
Mehmet is warning Ayşe that her over-protection might lead to the vazo breaking.
Which grammatical explanation for 'Sakınan' is correct?
In the phrase 'Sakınan göze çöp batar', what is 'Sakınan'?
The -an suffix creates a participle that acts as an adjective for the noun 'göz'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosSakınan ______ çöp batar.
The verb 'batmak' requires the dative case (-e).
Choose the best scenario:
The proverb is about irony—something bad happening despite (or because of) over-protection.
Ayşe: 'Yeni vazomu çok seviyorum, ona dokunmaya bile kıyamıyorum.' Mehmet: 'Dikkat et Ayşe, _________________.'
Mehmet is warning Ayşe that her over-protection might lead to the vazo breaking.
In the phrase 'Sakınan göze çöp batar', what is 'Sakınan'?
The -an suffix creates a participle that acts as an adjective for the noun 'göz'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIn modern Turkish, yes. But here it means a tiny splinter or dust particle.
Yes, especially for children or partners who are over-protected.
No, it's a secular folk proverb, though it aligns with some spiritual concepts of fate.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'Tedbir kuldan, takdir Allah'tan' (Precaution is from the servant, decree is from God) suggests that you *should* take precautions even if fate decides the end.
It is a formal piece of language (a proverb), but used in very informal social settings.
The eye is the most sensitive part of the body, making the irony of a splinter hitting it very powerful.
Yes, if a project failed because the team was too afraid to take risks.
No, it warns against *excessive* caution, not against normal safety.
Extremely common. Every Turkish speaker knows this phrase.
Sa-kuh-nan. The 'ı' is the tricky part!
Frases relacionadas
Gözden çıkarmak
contrastTo give up on something/someone.
Üstüne titremek
builds onTo cherish someone/something excessively.
Korktuğu başına gelmek
similarTo have one's fears come true.
Nazar değmek
similarTo be struck by the evil eye.
