Signification
Having a dignified and calm personality.
Contexte culturel
In Turkish families, being 'ağır başlı' is seen as the ultimate sign of a good upbringing. It is often the highest praise a mother-in-law can give to a bride or groom. In Turkish business culture, 'gravity' is often equated with authority. A manager who jokes too much might be seen as lacking 'ağır başlılık', which could undermine their leadership. The concept is linked to the Ottoman ideal of the 'Çelebi'—a refined, educated, and dignified gentleman who never loses his cool. In rural Anatolia, 'ağır başlı' also implies being hardworking and not wasting time on 'empty' talk, whereas in cities it focuses more on social decorum.
Use it in your CV
In the 'Personal Traits' section of a Turkish CV, writing 'Ağır başlı ve sorumluluk sahibi' (Dignified and responsible) is a very strong phrase.
Don't use for objects
Never use this for a heavy object. It is strictly for human character or behavior.
Signification
Having a dignified and calm personality.
Use it in your CV
In the 'Personal Traits' section of a Turkish CV, writing 'Ağır başlı ve sorumluluk sahibi' (Dignified and responsible) is a very strong phrase.
Don't use for objects
Never use this for a heavy object. It is strictly for human character or behavior.
The 'Maşallah' connection
When praising a child for being 'ağır başlı', Turks often add 'Maşallah' to protect them from the evil eye.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
O kadar fırlama bir çocuktu ki, şimdi bu kadar ______ olması beni şaşırtıyor.
The sentence contrasts a 'naughty/energetic' child with their current 'mature' state.
Which situation is most appropriate for using 'ağır başlı'?
Aşağıdaki durumlardan hangisinde 'ağır başlı' kelimesini kullanmak en uygundur?
'Ağır başlı' is used for serious and calm behavior, typical of professional settings.
Match the synonyms/related words.
Match the words on the left with their meanings/synonyms on the right.
These are all related to the spectrum of maturity and dignity in Turkish.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: Yeni tanıştığın çocuk nasıl biri? Fatma: Valla çok ______, hiç yaşıtları gibi değil, çok mantıklı konuşuyor.
The context of 'not like his peers' and 'talking logically' points to maturity.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesO kadar fırlama bir çocuktu ki, şimdi bu kadar ______ olması beni şaşırtıyor.
The sentence contrasts a 'naughty/energetic' child with their current 'mature' state.
Aşağıdaki durumlardan hangisinde 'ağır başlı' kelimesini kullanmak en uygundur?
'Ağır başlı' is used for serious and calm behavior, typical of professional settings.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are all related to the spectrum of maturity and dignity in Turkish.
Ayşe: Yeni tanıştığın çocuk nasıl biri? Fatma: Valla çok ______, hiç yaşıtları gibi değil, çok mantıklı konuşuyor.
The context of 'not like his peers' and 'talking logically' points to maturity.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNot at all! It's actually more common to use it for young people who show surprising maturity.
Rarely. Only if someone uses it sarcastically to mean you are being too boring or serious for a fun situation.
The opposite is 'havai' (flighty) or 'ciddiyetsiz' (lacking seriousness).
You say 'Ağır başlı davranıyor.'
Expressions liées
oturaklı olmak
synonymTo be settled and serious.
vakur olmak
synonymTo be dignified and majestic.
ciddi olmak
similarTo be serious.
hafifmeşrep olmak
contrastTo be flighty or frivolous.
