Signification
Doing something illogical or foolish.
Contexte culturel
In big cities like Istanbul, this phrase is used constantly in traffic. Drivers shout it at each other when someone makes a dangerous maneuver. Mothers often use this with their children when they do something risky, but it's usually said with a tone of worry rather than pure anger. In classic Turkish movies, the 'crazy' character is often introduced with other characters whispering this phrase about them. On Twitter (X) and Instagram, users comment this under 'fail' videos or bizarre news stories to express collective disbelief.
Watch your tone
If said with a smile, it's a joke. If said with a frown, it's a serious insult.
The 'Mu' placement
Always put 'mu' after 'zorun' or 'zoru' to sound like a native speaker.
Signification
Doing something illogical or foolish.
Watch your tone
If said with a smile, it's a joke. If said with a frown, it's a serious insult.
The 'Mu' placement
Always put 'mu' after 'zorun' or 'zoru' to sound like a native speaker.
Softening the blow
Add 'galiba' (probably) at the end to make it sound less like a direct attack: 'Aklından zoru var galiba.'
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
Senin ______ zorun mu var? Neden kışın dondurma yiyorsun?
The idiom always uses the ablative case '-dan' with 'akıl'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to use the idiom?
Talking about a friend who just quit a great job for no reason:
We use 'zoru var' for the 3rd person (he/she).
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Yarın işe gitmeyeceğim, patrona bağırdım.' Fatma: '_______? Kovulacaksın!'
Fatma is talking directly to Ayşe (2nd person).
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
You see a group of people swimming in a very dangerous, stormy sea.
You are talking about 'them' (3rd person plural).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSenin ______ zorun mu var? Neden kışın dondurma yiyorsun?
The idiom always uses the ablative case '-dan' with 'akıl'.
Talking about a friend who just quit a great job for no reason:
We use 'zoru var' for the 3rd person (he/she).
Ayşe: 'Yarın işe gitmeyeceğim, patrona bağırdım.' Fatma: '_______? Kovulacaksın!'
Fatma is talking directly to Ayşe (2nd person).
You see a group of people swimming in a very dangerous, stormy sea.
You are talking about 'them' (3rd person plural).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsIt depends on the relationship. Between friends, it's common. To a stranger, it's an insult.
Yes! 'Aklımdan zorum var' is a funny way to admit you did something stupid.
'Deli' is a noun (crazy person). This phrase describes the state of acting crazy.
Technically yes, but it functions more as 'trouble' or 'malfunction' in this idiom.
Absolutely not. It is far too informal.
Yes, 'akıllarından zorları var' for 'they'.
'Aklından zorun olmalı' or simply 'Aklından zorun mu var?'
Yes, it is a standard idiom understood everywhere.
People will understand, but 'aklından' is the correct version.
Usually 'Hayır, sadece [explanation]' or 'Belki de!'
Yes, many Turkish pop songs use it to describe a crazy lover.
It is used equally by both.
No, it is only used for people or personified animals.
It has been around for at least a century and remains very popular.
Expressions liées
kafayı yemek
similarTo go crazy / lose one's mind
tahtası eksik
synonymTo have a screw loose
deli saçması
builds onNonsense / crazy talk
aklı başında olmak
contrastTo be sensible / sane
