Signification
Being reasonable and sound.
Contexte culturel
Journalists frequently use 'aklıselim çağrısı' (call for common sense) during times of social unrest or political tension to urge moderation. The phrase was central to Ottoman education, where 'selim' (sound) was one of the three requirements for valid knowledge, alongside 'true news' and 'healthy senses'. In many Turkish families, the eldest member is expected to be the 'aklı selim' authority, making final decisions on marriages or business ventures. Authors like Tanpınar use the concept to describe the struggle between Eastern wisdom (aklı selim) and Western rationalism.
Use it in Job Interviews
When asked about your strengths, saying 'Aklı selim bir yaklaşıma sahibim' (I have a level-headed approach) sounds very professional.
Don't Overuse
Using it every five minutes can make you sound like a 19th-century professor. Save it for truly serious moments.
Signification
Being reasonable and sound.
Use it in Job Interviews
When asked about your strengths, saying 'Aklı selim bir yaklaşıma sahibim' (I have a level-headed approach) sounds very professional.
Don't Overuse
Using it every five minutes can make you sound like a 19th-century professor. Save it for truly serious moments.
Political Cliché
You will see this phrase in almost every political speech in Turkey. It's the standard 'safe' thing for a politician to say.
Spelling
Both 'aklı selim' and 'aklıselim' are accepted, but TDK prefers the compound version for the noun form.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the phrase.
Herkes bağırıp çağırırken, o ______ bir tavır sergileyerek ortamı sakinleştirdi.
The context of 'calming the environment' requires a phrase meaning 'reasonable' or 'level-headed'.
Which of the following is a synonym for 'aklı selim'?
Aşağıdakilerden hangisi 'aklı selim' ile aynı anlama gelir?
'Sağduyu' is the pure Turkish synonym for 'common sense/aklı selim'.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of 'aklı selim'.
Hangi durumda 'aklı selim' ifadesini kullanmak en uygundur?
'Aklı selim' is used to call for reason during conflicts or lack of communication.
Complete the dialogue.
Ahmet: 'Çok sinirliyim, gidip onunla kavga edeceğim!' Mehmet: 'Dur, lütfen ______ düşün. Kavga çözüm değil.'
Mehmet is advising Ahmet to think reasonably before acting on anger.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Smart vs. Aklı Selim
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHerkes bağırıp çağırırken, o ______ bir tavır sergileyerek ortamı sakinleştirdi.
The context of 'calming the environment' requires a phrase meaning 'reasonable' or 'level-headed'.
Aşağıdakilerden hangisi 'aklı selim' ile aynı anlama gelir?
'Sağduyu' is the pure Turkish synonym for 'common sense/aklı selim'.
Hangi durumda 'aklı selim' ifadesini kullanmak en uygundur?
'Aklı selim' is used to call for reason during conflicts or lack of communication.
Ahmet: 'Çok sinirliyim, gidip onunla kavga edeceğim!' Mehmet: 'Dur, lütfen ______ düşün. Kavga çözüm değil.'
Mehmet is advising Ahmet to think reasonably before acting on anger.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsWhile it has roots in Islamic philosophy, it is used in a completely secular way today to mean 'common sense'.
Yes, if a child is unusually mature and sensible for their age, you can call them 'aklı selim'.
The opposite would be 'fevri' (impulsive), 'mantıksız' (illogical), or 'akıl dışı' (irrational).
Yes, it is formal to neutral. You wouldn't use it in a very casual slang conversation.
You can say 'Ben aklı selim biriyim' or 'Aklı selim davranmaya çalışırım'.
Almost exactly, but 'aklı selim' sounds a bit more intellectual.
Yes, you can say 'aklı selim bir fikir' (a sensible idea).
It's an old Arabic grammatical structure (izafet) that stayed in the phrase.
Yes, especially in songs about life lessons or social commentary.
Only if you are discussing the relationship seriously. It's not a 'romantic' word.
Expressions liées
sağduyu
synonymCommon sense
aklı başında
similarLevel-headed / Sane
itidal
builds onModeration
basiret
specialized formForesight / Insight
mantıklı
similarLogical
