Signification
Stating that you are short on time.
Contexte culturel
Saying 'Acelem var' is often the only way to escape a second or third glass of tea without offending the host. In Istanbul, 'Acelem var' is a mantra. People use it to navigate the crowded metrobus and ferry lines. In business, it can be used to signal that a meeting needs to be concise and results-oriented. Commonly abbreviated in very informal texts as 'acelem vr' or used with a running emoji.
Softening the blow
Always add 'Kusura bakma' (Sorry) before 'Acelem var' to sound more polite and less dismissive.
The 'Ben' trap
Never say 'Ben aceleyim'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers. Stick to 'Acelem var'.
Signification
Stating that you are short on time.
Softening the blow
Always add 'Kusura bakma' (Sorry) before 'Acelem var' to sound more polite and less dismissive.
The 'Ben' trap
Never say 'Ben aceleyim'. It's the most common mistake for English speakers. Stick to 'Acelem var'.
Intonation matters
A rising intonation on 'var' makes it a question: 'Acelem var?' (Do I have a hurry? - used sarcastically). Keep it flat for a statement.
The Tea Rule
If you are in a Turkish home, you must say 'Acelem var' at least twice before they actually let you leave!
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Acelem var' for 'I'.
Otobüs geliyor, çok ______.
Since the context implies 'I' (the one seeing the bus), 'acelem var' is correct.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct way to say 'I am in a hurry'.
Turkish uses the possessive + var construction for this state.
Match the Turkish phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These cover the basic variations of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
Ahmet: Bir kahve içelim mi? Selin: Üzgünüm, işe yetişmem lazım, ______.
Selin is declining because she needs to catch work, so she is in a hurry.
In which situation would you say 'Acelem var'?
Choose the best scenario:
The phrase is used when time is limited and speed is necessary.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Hurry vs. Fast
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesOtobüs geliyor, çok ______.
Since the context implies 'I' (the one seeing the bus), 'acelem var' is correct.
Select the correct way to say 'I am in a hurry'.
Turkish uses the possessive + var construction for this state.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These cover the basic variations of the phrase.
Ahmet: Bir kahve içelim mi? Selin: Üzgünüm, işe yetişmem lazım, ______.
Selin is declining because she needs to catch work, so she is in a hurry.
Choose the best scenario:
The phrase is used when time is limited and speed is necessary.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes! Just change the suffix: 'Acelen var mı?' (Are you in a hurry?).
It can be. Better to say 'Toplantıya yetişmem gerekiyor' (I need to make it to the meeting).
'Acelem var' is the state (I have haste), 'Acele ediyorum' is the action (I am hurrying).
Use 'Acelem vardı'.
No, it's too colloquial. Use 'Zaman kısıtlılığı nedeniyle' (Due to time constraints).
No, 'hızlı' means fast. 'Acele' means haste or hurry.
Yes, 'Uçmam lazım' (I need to fly) is common among youth.
Because 'acele' ends in a vowel, you just add '-m' for the possessive.
Yes, 'çok' (very/much) is the perfect intensifier here.
Say 'Acelem yok' or 'Vaktim bol' (I have plenty of time).
Yes, 'Acele işe şeytan karışır' (The devil interferes in hurried work) is a famous proverb.
Like the 'j' in 'juice'. Never like 's' or 'k'.
Expressions liées
Acele etmek
similarTo hurry (verb)
Vaktim yok
synonymI have no time
Çabuk ol
builds onBe quick
Yetişmek
similarTo make it in time / to catch
Ağırdan almak
contrastTo take it slow / to stall
