Significado
Expressing that you are too busy.
Contexto cultural
In Turkey, being busy is often seen as a sign of importance or hard work. However, social ties are so strong that 'Vaktim yok' is often followed by a promise to meet later. In Turkish offices, saying 'Vaktim yok' to a superior is rare. Instead, employees use 'İşim biraz yoğun' (My work is a bit intense). In big cities like Istanbul, 'Vaktim yok' is a standard part of life. In rural villages, saying you have no time for a guest is considered quite surprising and sometimes rude. Even if someone says 'Vaktim yok,' they might still offer you a quick glass of tea. The 'tea time' is often exempt from the 'no time' rule.
Add 'Hiç'
Adding 'hiç' (at all) before 'vaktim yok' makes you sound much more natural and emphatic.
Vowel Drop
Never say 'Vakitim yok'. It sounds very foreign. Always drop that middle 'i'!
Significado
Expressing that you are too busy.
Add 'Hiç'
Adding 'hiç' (at all) before 'vaktim yok' makes you sound much more natural and emphatic.
Vowel Drop
Never say 'Vakitim yok'. It sounds very foreign. Always drop that middle 'i'!
Softening the Blow
Always start with 'Kusura bakma' if you're talking to a friend, or 'Kusura bakmayın' for a stranger/boss.
The 'Soft No'
In Turkey, 'Vaktim yok' is often a polite way to say 'I don't want to do that' without being rude.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'vakit' and 'yok'.
Bugün çok işim var, hiç _______ _______.
Since the speaker says 'işim var' (I have work), they must say 'vaktim yok' (I have no time).
Which sentence is the most polite way to tell a stranger you are busy?
A stranger stops you on the street to ask for a survey.
'Kusura bakmayın' (Sorry/Don't be offended) softens the refusal.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: Yarın sinemaya gidelim mi? Mehmet: Yarın çok ödevim var, _______.
Mehmet has homework, so he doesn't have time.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are running to catch a train and someone asks for directions.
'Acelem var' means 'I'm in a hurry', which fits the train situation.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosBugün çok işim var, hiç _______ _______.
Since the speaker says 'işim var' (I have work), they must say 'vaktim yok' (I have no time).
A stranger stops you on the street to ask for a survey.
'Kusura bakmayın' (Sorry/Don't be offended) softens the refusal.
Ayşe: Yarın sinemaya gidelim mi? Mehmet: Yarın çok ödevim var, _______.
Mehmet has homework, so he doesn't have time.
You are running to catch a train and someone asks for directions.
'Acelem var' means 'I'm in a hurry', which fits the train situation.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, they are 100% interchangeable in daily life. 'Zamanım yok' is slightly more modern.
It can be if said too abruptly. Adding 'maalesef' or 'kusura bakmayın' makes it perfectly polite.
Use the past tense: 'Vaktim yoktu'.
'Zaman' is the general concept of time. 'Vakit' often refers to a specific window or opportunity of time.
No, for that you would say 'Modumda değilim' or 'Canım istemiyor'.
Say 'Vaktin yok'.
Yes, 'İşim var' (I have work) is often used as a casual way to say you have no time.
This is a Turkish grammar rule called vowel syncope, which happens to certain two-syllable words when they get a suffix.
It's better to say 'Programım şu an için dolu' (My schedule is full for now) to sound more professional.
Ask 'Vaktin var mı?'
Frases relacionadas
Zamanım yok
synonymI don't have time
Acelem var
similarI am in a hurry
Müsait değilim
similarI am not available
Vaktim var
contrastI have time
Vakit nakittir
builds onTime is money
