Signification
Eventually, the truth or quality of something appears.
Contexte culturel
The proverb reflects the deep history of sheep herding in Central Anatolia. The 'geçit' (pass) was a physical place where taxes were often collected or counts were made, making it a place of truth. Using this proverb in a meeting shows you are a 'tecrübeli' (experienced) person who doesn't get carried away by initial hype. Turkish politicians frequently use this to challenge opponents, essentially saying 'Let the results speak for themselves.' The words 'Ak' and 'Kara' carry more weight than 'Beyaz' and 'Siyah'. 'Kara' can also mean 'land' or 'unlucky', while 'Ak' means 'pure' or 'honorable'.
Use it for results
Use this phrase when someone is bragging. It's a polite way to say 'We'll see if you're actually that good when the work starts.'
Don't modernize
Never say 'Beyaz koyun.' It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from your native language.
Signification
Eventually, the truth or quality of something appears.
Use it for results
Use this phrase when someone is bragging. It's a polite way to say 'We'll see if you're actually that good when the work starts.'
Don't modernize
Never say 'Beyaz koyun.' It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from your native language.
The 'Geçit' addition
Adding 'geçitte' (at the pass) makes you sound very sophisticated and well-read in Turkish literature.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words using the traditional color terms.
Zor zamanlar gelince ___ koyun ___ koyun belli olur.
Proverbs in Turkish use the archaic 'ak' and 'kara' instead of 'beyaz' and 'siyah'.
Which situation best fits the proverb?
A company is hiring two interns. They both seem great in interviews. The manager says: 'Let's wait for the first big deadline...'
The deadline is the 'test' that will reveal their true work quality.
Which verb form is most natural for a general truth?
Her zaman ak koyun kara koyun belli ___.
The aorist '-ur' is used for proverbs and general truths.
Complete the dialogue.
Ali: Sence bu yeni ortak güvenilir mi? Can: Bilmiyorum, para mevzusu açılınca ___.
Money issues are a classic 'test' of character in Turkish culture.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesZor zamanlar gelince ___ koyun ___ koyun belli olur.
Proverbs in Turkish use the archaic 'ak' and 'kara' instead of 'beyaz' and 'siyah'.
A company is hiring two interns. They both seem great in interviews. The manager says: 'Let's wait for the first big deadline...'
The deadline is the 'test' that will reveal their true work quality.
Her zaman ak koyun kara koyun belli ___.
The aorist '-ur' is used for proverbs and general truths.
Ali: Sence bu yeni ortak güvenilir mi? Can: Bilmiyorum, para mevzusu açılınca ___.
Money issues are a classic 'test' of character in Turkish culture.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsNot inherently, but it can be sharp. It implies that someone might be 'black' (a failure or dishonest), so use it carefully in direct conversation.
Yes! It can mean that a good person's value will finally be recognized.
'Ak' is the ancient Turkic word, often used for purity and in proverbs. 'Beyaz' is an Arabic loanword used in modern daily life.
Yes, people sometimes just say 'Ak mı kara mı belli olur.'
In this specific proverb, yes, it usually represents the negative or unsuccessful side of the comparison.
Expressions liées
Akla karayı seçmek
similarTo struggle greatly to finish a task.
Güneş balçıkla sıvanmaz
similarThe truth cannot be hidden by lies.
Maskesi düşmek
synonymTo have one's mask fall off.
Meydan ortaya çıkmak
builds onTo come to the arena/to be revealed.
