emretmek
emretmek en 30 segundos
- Emretmek means 'to command' or 'to order' with authority.
- It is a compound verb: emir (noun) + etmek (auxiliary verb).
- Used mainly in military, legal, religious, and historical contexts.
- Do not use it for ordering food; use 'sipariş vermek' instead.
The Turkish verb emretmek is a compound verb formed by the noun 'emir' (command/order) and the auxiliary verb 'etmek' (to do/make). At its core, it signifies the act of giving an authoritative directive that must be followed. While it is translated as 'to command' or 'to order' in English, its usage in Turkish carries specific weight depending on the social hierarchy and context. In modern daily life, it is less common among equals because it sounds quite harsh and domineering, but it remains a staple in military, historical, and formal administrative contexts.
- Military Context
- This is the primary domain for the word. An officer 'emreder' (commands) a soldier. The response 'Emredersiniz!' (As you command!) is the standard military acknowledgement.
- Historical/Royal Context
- In historical dramas or texts about the Ottoman Empire, the Sultan is the ultimate authority who 'emreder'. It reflects absolute power.
- Metaphorical/Abstract Usage
- Sometimes used to describe fate, nature, or logic forcing a certain outcome. For example, 'Mantık bunu emrediyor' (Logic dictates/commands this).
Komutan, askerlere derhal toplanmalarını emretti.
One critical linguistic feature of emretmek is the vowel drop. The root noun is 'emir'. When the auxiliary verb 'etmek' is added, the 'i' in the second syllable of 'emir' drops, resulting in 'emretmek'. Furthermore, because of Turkish consonant mutation rules, when a suffix starting with a vowel is added, the 't' changes to a 'd'. For instance, 'emret' + 'iyor' becomes 'emrediyor'. This makes the word a great study case for Turkish phonology. Understanding these changes is essential for A2 learners moving into B1 proficiency.
Padişah, yeni bir kanun çıkarılmasını emretmiş.
In a domestic or social setting, using this word can sound arrogant. If a friend says 'Bana çay getirmeni emrediyorum' (I command you to bring me tea), it is almost certainly a joke or an imitation of a bossy character. In real life, 'rica etmek' (to request) or 'istemek' (to want) are the preferred alternatives for maintaining social harmony. However, in literature, particularly in religious texts, God is often the one who 'emreder' (commands/decrees), emphasizing the divine authority over human will.
Dinimiz dürüst olmayı emreder.
Using emretmek correctly requires an understanding of Turkish sentence structure, specifically how the object of the command is handled. Usually, the thing being ordered is expressed as a noun phrase or a subordinate clause ending in '-mesini/-masını' (the infinitive with a possessive and accusative case).
- Direct Command to Someone
- When you command someone, that person is usually in the dative case (-e/-a). Example: 'Askere (to the soldier) emretti.'
- Ordering an Action
- The action being ordered takes the '-meyi/-mayı' or '-mesini/-masını' suffix. Example: 'Gitmemi emretti' (He ordered me to go).
Patron, raporun yarına kadar bitirilmesini emretti.
One of the most common mistakes for English speakers is trying to use 'emretmek' for ordering food or coffee. In English, we say 'I ordered a pizza.' In Turkish, if you say 'Bir pizza emrettim,' it sounds like you are a king commanding a pizza to exist or a general ordering a pizza into battle. For commercial transactions, always use 'sipariş vermek'.
Bana ne yapacağımı emredemezsin!
In formal documents, you might see the passive form: emredilmek (to be ordered). For example, 'Tahliye edilmesi emredildi' (His evacuation was ordered). This shifts the focus from the person giving the command to the action itself, which is very common in legal and bureaucratic Turkish. At the A2 level, you should focus on the active voice, but being aware of the passive will help your reading comprehension as you progress.
Doktor, hastanın tam dinlenmesini emretti.
Finally, consider the negative form 'emretmemek'. While grammatically correct, it is often replaced by 'yasaklamak' (to forbid) if the intent is to stop an action. 'Emretmek' implies a positive requirement to do something. If you want to say someone ordered you *not* to do something, you usually use the negative infinitive: 'Oraya gitmememi emretti' (He ordered me not to go there).
You are most likely to encounter emretmek in specific environments rather than casual street conversation. Understanding these contexts will help you interpret the tone of the speaker correctly. Turkish culture places high value on hierarchy, and this word is the linguistic manifestation of that hierarchy.
- TV Dramas (Diziler)
- In historical epics like 'Diriliş: Ertuğrul' or 'Kuruluş Osman', leaders constantly 'emreder'. It establishes their authority over their tribe or army.
- The Military
- Every Turkish male who serves his mandatory military service will hear and use this word daily. 'Emredersiniz komutanım!' is perhaps the most famous military phrase in Turkey.
- Religious Sermons
- Imams often use this word when discussing the requirements of faith. 'Allah sabırlı olmayı emreder' (Allah commands being patient).
– Çayları getir!
– Emredersiniz efendim!
In a corporate setting, a boss might 'emretmek' something, but modern Turkish management styles are shifting towards 'rica etmek' (to request) to sound more professional and less tyrannical. If a boss actually says 'Sana bunu yapmanı emrediyorum,' it usually signals a high-stress situation or a very strict, traditional workplace culture. In news reports, you will hear it regarding court orders or government decrees: 'Mahkeme, şüphelinin tutuklanmasını emretti' (The court ordered the suspect's arrest).
Yasalar, herkesin vergi ödemesini emreder.
In literature, especially in older novels, you might see the phrase 'Emriniz olur' which is a variation of 'Emredersiniz'. It translates to 'Your command is my wish' or 'It shall be as you ordered'. This reflects the deeply ingrained social structures of the past. Today, you might hear a waiter say 'Emredersiniz' as a way of showing extreme hospitality, though it is becoming rarer in cosmopolitan areas like Istanbul or Izmir.
When learning emretmek, English speakers and even intermediate learners often stumble on specific grammatical and contextual nuances. Avoiding these will make your Turkish sound much more natural and precise.
- The 'Pizza' Mistake
- As mentioned before, never use 'emretmek' for commercial orders. Incorrect: 'Kahve emrettim.' Correct: 'Kahve sipariş ettim.'
- Spelling Errors (The Vowel Drop)
- Forgetting to drop the 'i'. Incorrect: 'Emiretmek'. Correct: 'Emretmek'. This is a common phonetic rule in Turkish compound verbs.
- Consonant Mutation (t vs d)
- Using 't' before a vowel. Incorrect: 'Emretiyor'. Correct: 'Emrediyor'. The 't' must soften to 'd' when followed by a vowel-starting suffix.
❌ Yanlış: Bana gitmemi emiretti.
✅ Doğru: Bana gitmemi emretti.
Another mistake is the case marking of the person being ordered. Because 'emretmek' is an action directed *at* someone, that person must be in the dative case (-e/-a). Many learners mistakenly use the accusative case (-i/-ı) because they think of 'ordering someone'.
❌ Yanlış: Onu buraya gelmesini emrettim.
✅ Doğru: Ona buraya gelmesini emrettim.
Finally, be careful with the social register. Using 'emretmek' with your spouse, parents, or friends can come across as very rude or aggressive unless it's clearly a joke. It implies a master-servant or superior-subordinate relationship. If you want to say 'He told me to do it,' use 'söylemek' (to say/tell) or 'istemek' (to want). 'Bana yapmamı söyledi' is much more neutral than 'Bana yapmamı emretti'.
Turkish has several words for giving directions or orders, each with a different shade of meaning. Choosing the right one depends on how much authority you want to project and the specific context of the situation.
- Buyurmak
- This is a more elegant, often religious or royal alternative. It can mean 'to command' but also 'to say' (when a superior speaks) or 'to welcome/invite'. It is much softer and more respectful than 'emretmek'.
- Talimat Vermek
- Literally 'to give instructions'. This is the standard professional term used in offices and technical contexts. It is authoritative but neutral.
- Görevlendirmek
- To assign a task. This is more about delegation than raw commanding.
Müdür, projenin hızlandırılması için talimat verdi.
Let's compare them more closely:
| Word | Nuance | Example Context |
|---|---|---|
| Emretmek | Absolute authority, harsh | Army, Law, Religion |
| Buyurmak | Polite, Noble, Religious | Sultan, God, Formal Host |
| Söylemek | Neutral, 'to tell' | Daily life, Friends |
| Rica Etmek | Polite Request | Work, Strangers |
If you are an A2 student, stick to 'söylemek' or 'istemek' for most situations. Use 'emretmek' when you are talking about history, the military, or when you want to emphasize that someone is being very bossy. For example, 'Bana emretme!' (Don't command me!) is a very effective way to set boundaries with someone who is being too controlling.
How Formal Is It?
Dato curioso
The word 'Emir' (as in Prince/Ruler) comes from the same root. An Emir is literally someone who has the power to 'emretmek'.
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing the 'i' in 'emir' (it must drop).
- Failing to soften 't' to 'd' before vowels.
- Putting stress on the first syllable.
- Over-rolling the 'r'.
- Pronouncing 'etmek' as a separate word.
Nivel de dificultad
Easy to recognize in texts but requires knowing the vowel drop.
Requires correct spelling and handling consonant mutations.
Requires correct social register to avoid being rude.
Phonetically clear but can be fast in military contexts.
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Ejemplos por nivel
Kral emretti.
The king ordered.
Simple past tense.
Bana emretme!
Don't command me!
Negative imperative.
Komutan emrediyor.
The commander is ordering.
Present continuous tense.
Annem odamı toplamamı emretti.
My mother ordered me to tidy my room.
Use of -mamı (infinitive + possessive + accusative).
Emredersiniz!
As you command!
Standard formal response.
O, her zaman emreder.
He always orders (people around).
Aorist (simple present) for habits.
Polis 'Dur!' diye emretti.
The police ordered 'Stop!'.
Direct speech with emretti.
Kim emretti?
Who ordered?
Question form.
Müdür herkesin gelmesini emretti.
The manager ordered everyone to come.
Infinitive clause as object.
Doktor sigarayı bırakmamı emretti.
The doctor ordered me to quit smoking.
Dative case for the recipient (implied).
Öğretmen sessizliği emretti.
The teacher ordered silence.
Direct noun object.
Bana ne yapacağımı emredemezsin.
You cannot command me what to do.
Abilitative negative (-emez).
Patron raporu yazmamı emredecek.
The boss will order me to write the report.
Future tense.
Lütfen bana emretmeyin.
Please do not command me.
Polite negative imperative.
Ona kapıyı açmasını emrettim.
I ordered him to open the door.
Dative 'ona' + action.
Babam erken gelmemi emretmişti.
My father had ordered me to come early.
Pluperfect tense.
Mahkeme binanın boşaltılmasını emretti.
The court ordered the building to be vacated.
Passive infinitive in the object clause.
Komutan askerlere hücum etmelerini emretti.
The commander ordered the soldiers to attack.
Dative 'askerlere'.
Dinimiz yoksullara yardım etmeyi emreder.
Our religion commands helping the poor.
General truth in Aorist.
Vali, okulların tatil edilmesini emretmiş.
The governor (is said to have) ordered schools to be closed.
Reported past tense (-miş).
Kaptan geminin rotasının değiştirilmesini emretti.
The captain ordered the ship's course to be changed.
Complex noun phrase.
Bana sürekli emretmesinden bıktım.
I am tired of him constantly ordering me around.
Gerund construction with 'bıkmak'.
Hükümet yeni vergiler emretti.
The government ordered (decreed) new taxes.
Abstract usage.
Ona sessiz kalmasını emrediyorum.
I am ordering him to remain silent.
Present continuous for immediate action.
Mantık, bu durumda geri çekilmemizi emrediyor.
Logic dictates that we withdraw in this situation.
Metaphorical usage.
Anayasa, temel hakların korunmasını emreder.
The constitution commands the protection of fundamental rights.
Legal context.
Doğa kanunları hayatta kalmayı emreder.
The laws of nature command survival.
Philosophical usage.
Yönetmelik, maske takılmasını emretmektedir.
The regulation orders (dictates) the wearing of masks.
Formal '-mekte' present tense.
General, geri çekilme emri verilmesini emretti.
The general ordered that the order to withdraw be given.
Nested commands.
Hiç kimse bana vicdanıma aykırı bir şey emredemez.
No one can command me to do something against my conscience.
Negative abilitative.
Doktorun emrettiği ilaçları düzenli kullanmalısın.
You must regularly use the medicines the doctor ordered.
Relative clause with -diği.
Şartlar, acil bir karar vermemizi emrediyordu.
Conditions were dictating that we make an urgent decision.
Past continuous.
Padişah fermanıyla seferberlik emretmişti.
The Sultan had ordered mobilization with his decree.
Historical terminology.
Etik kurallar, hastanın gizliliğine saygı duyulmasını emreder.
Ethical rules command that the patient's privacy be respected.
Professional jargon.
Otoriter rejimler mutlak itaat emreder.
Authoritarian regimes command absolute obedience.
Political science context.
Yaratıcı, insana iyiliği ve adaleti emretmiştir.
The Creator has commanded goodness and justice to humanity.
Theological usage.
Töre, intikam alınmasını emrediyordu.
Tradition (customary law) was commanding that revenge be taken.
Cultural/Sociological context.
Şirket politikası, her türlü rüşvetin reddedilmesini emreder.
Company policy commands the rejection of any kind of bribery.
Corporate compliance.
Zaman, yaraların sarılmasını emrediyor artık.
Time dictates (commands) the healing of wounds now.
Poetic usage.
Hâkim, tanığın doğruyu söylemesini emretti.
The judge ordered the witness to tell the truth.
Legal imperative.
Müellif, eserinde aklın selimini emreden bir üslup takınmış.
The author adopted a style in his work that dictates common sense.
Literary analysis.
Hilafet makamı, tüm müslümanların birleşmesini emretmişti.
The office of the Caliphate had ordered the unification of all Muslims.
Archaic/Political history.
Kaderin emrettiği bu kaçınılmaz sondan kurtuluş yoktu.
There was no escape from this inevitable end dictated by fate.
Fatalistic literary theme.
Fıtratımız, hayatta kalmak için savaşmamızı emreder.
Our innate nature commands us to fight for survival.
Philosophical/Biological term 'fıtrat'.
Vakıf senedi, gelirlerin sadece eğitim için harcanmasını emreder.
The foundation deed commands that the revenues be spent only for education.
Legal/Bureaucratic precision.
Geleneklerin emredici gücü toplum üzerinde hâlâ etkilidir.
The commanding power of traditions is still effective on society.
Adjective form 'emredici'.
Siyasi konjonktür, yeni bir ittifak kurulmasını emrediyordu.
The political conjuncture was dictating the formation of a new alliance.
High-level political analysis.
İlahi irade, kâinatın nizamını bu şekilde emretmiştir.
Divine will has commanded the order of the universe in this way.
Metaphysical discourse.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— Just command, and I will do it. Used between very close friends or in a romantic sense.
Sen emret, ben her şeyi yapayım.
— Don't command me! Used to stop someone from being bossy.
Ben senin kölen değilim, bana emretme!
— Who am I to command you! (A humble expression).
Size emretmek ne haddimize efendim, sadece rica ediyoruz.
— Unless God commands it... (Fatalistic phrase).
Allah emretmedikçe yaprak kımıldamaz.
— An order is an order (An order cuts even iron).
Yapacak bir şey yok, emir demiri keser.
Modismos y expresiones
— To be a person who just follows orders without choice.
Ben sadece bir emir kuluyum, kararı ben vermedim.
Neutral— To come under someone's command.
Genç yaşta ordunun emri altına girdi.
Formal— To shower orders; to give too many orders aggressively.
Sabahtan beri herkese emir yağdırıyor.
Informal— To present a fait accompli; to force a situation without asking.
Bize emri vaki yaparak tatile götürdü.
Informal— Orderly (a soldier assigned to an officer); metaphorically a lackey.
Ben senin emir erin değilim.
Informal/DerogatoryFamilia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of an 'Emperor' (Emir) who 'orders' (etmek) his subjects. Emir + Etmek = Emretmek.
Asociación visual
Visualize a General with a loud megaphone shouting 'Emretmek!' to his troops.
Word Web
Desafío
Try to use 'emretmek' in three different tenses today: Past (emretti), Present (emrediyor), and Future (emredecek).
Origen de la palabra
Derived from the Arabic root 'amr' (أمر) meaning command or matter. It entered Turkish during the Islamic conversion and the influence of Arabic literature.
Significado original: To command, to order, to decree.
Semitic (root) + Turkic (auxiliary verb).Contexto cultural
Avoid using this word with equals or superiors in Turkey; it can be perceived as extremely rude or an attempt to dominate.
English speakers often confuse 'order' (command) with 'order' (food). Turkish separates these strictly.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Military
- Emredersiniz komutanım!
- Ateş emretmek
- Geri çekilmeyi emretmek
- Hazır ol emri
Legal
- Mahkeme emretti
- Tahliyeyi emretmek
- Tutuklama emretmek
- Kanunun emrettiği
Workplace
- Patron emretti
- Müdürün emri
- Talimat emretmek
- İşin bitirilmesini emretmek
Religion
- Allah emrediyor
- İyiliği emretmek
- Dinin emrettiği
- Peygamberin emri
Fairy Tales
- Kral emretti
- Prens emreder
- Sultan emretmiş
- Dev emrediyor
Inicios de conversación
"Patronun sana hiç garip bir şey emretti mi?"
"Askerlik yaparken en çok hangi emri duydun?"
"Sence bir lider sadece emretmeli mi yoksa dinlemeli mi?"
"Tarihteki en ünlü emir hangisidir?"
"Biri sana kaba bir şekilde emrederse ne yaparsın?"
Summary
Emretmek is a high-authority verb used for commands. Remember the grammatical changes: 'emir' becomes 'emret-' and the 't' becomes 'd' before vowels (e.g., emrediyor). Example: 'Komutan emretti' (The commander ordered).
- Emretmek means 'to command' or 'to order' with authority.
- It is a compound verb: emir (noun) + etmek (auxiliary verb).
- Used mainly in military, legal, religious, and historical contexts.
- Do not use it for ordering food; use 'sipariş vermek' instead.
Contenido relacionado
Más palabras de general
aksine
B1Al contrario, no tengo hambre.
aktarmak
B1Transferir dinero o archivos de un lugar a otro.
aktif
B1Activo; que tiene capacidad de actuar o que está en funcionamiento. Se aplica a personas, cuentas o volcanes.
akıbet
C1El destino o el desenlace final de algo. 'Nadie conoce el akıbet del tesoro perdido.'
akıl
A2mind, intellect, wisdom
algılamak
B2Percibir algo a través de los sentidos o el intelecto.
alternatif
B1An option or choice other than the present
alçak
B1El techo es muy bajo (alçak).
ana
B1Principal, primordial, jefe. 'La entrada principal está aquí' (Ana giriş buradadır). 'El personaje principal' (Ana karakter).
aniden
B1De repente; de una manera súbita e imprevista.