Signification
To be very surprised.
Contexte culturel
In Turkey, showing surprise is often a social requirement. If someone shows you something they are proud of, being 'ağzı açık' is a sign of respect and validation. Turkic cultures often use body parts to describe emotions. The mouth (ağız) is seen as the gateway of the soul; when it stays open, it implies the soul is momentarily distracted by wonder. In Turkish social media (Twitter/Instagram), users often type 'Ağzım açık kaldı' or just use the 😲 emoji to react to viral videos or shocking news. Like many Mediterranean cultures, Turkish communication is high-context and expressive. Physical idioms like this are preferred over literal descriptions.
The 'Bir Karış' Trick
If you want to sound like a native, add 'bir karış' (one span). It makes you sound much more expressive.
Check the Person!
Always check if you are talking about yourself (ağzım), you (ağzın), or him/her (ağzı).
Signification
To be very surprised.
The 'Bir Karış' Trick
If you want to sound like a native, add 'bir karış' (one span). It makes you sound much more expressive.
Check the Person!
Always check if you are talking about yourself (ağzım), you (ağzın), or him/her (ağzı).
Use with '-ınca'
This idiom pairs perfectly with the '-ınca' suffix (when/upon). Example: 'Görünce ağzım açık kaldı.'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'ağzı açık kalmak' for the first person singular (I).
Piyangoyu kazandığımı duyunca ______ ______ ______.
Since the sentence says 'kazandığımı' (that I won), the reaction must be 'ağzım' (my mouth).
Which situation is most appropriate for using 'ağzı açık kalmak'?
Hangi durumda bu deyimi kullanırız?
The idiom is used for intense surprise, which fits a magic trick.
Match the person with the correct form of the idiom.
Eşleştirme yapın:
Each person requires a specific possessive suffix.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Ayşe'nin 5 dil bildiğini biliyor muydun? B: Hayır, bilmiyordum! ______.
Learning someone knows 5 languages is a shocking fact that warrants this idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesPiyangoyu kazandığımı duyunca ______ ______ ______.
Since the sentence says 'kazandığımı' (that I won), the reaction must be 'ağzım' (my mouth).
Hangi durumda bu deyimi kullanırız?
The idiom is used for intense surprise, which fits a magic trick.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Each person requires a specific possessive suffix.
A: Ayşe'nin 5 dil bildiğini biliyor muydun? B: Hayır, bilmiyordum! ______.
Learning someone knows 5 languages is a shocking fact that warrants this idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsYes, it is used for both positive and negative surprises. If you are shocked by something terrible, it is perfectly appropriate.
It's not rude, but it is informal. In a very formal meeting, you might prefer 'Çok şaşırdım' or 'Hayretler içerisindeyim.'
This is due to 'vowel dropping' (ünlü düşmesi). Two-syllable words ending in a vowel-consonant-vowel pattern often drop the middle vowel when a suffix is added.
Exactly the same. It's one of the few idioms that translates almost perfectly in concept to English.
Yes! 'Görünce ağzın açık kalacak' (Your jaw will drop when you see it) is very common.
Expressions liées
Nutku tutulmak
synonymTo be struck dumb.
Gözleri fal taşı gibi açılmak
similarTo have eyes wide with surprise.
Donup kalmak
similarTo freeze in shock.
Ağzı kulaklarına varmak
contrastTo be very happy (grinning ear to ear).
Ağzı bir karış açık kalmak
specialized formTo be extremely stunned.
