Signification
Not seeing someone for a long time.
Contexte culturel
In Turkey, social relationships are very 'high-maintenance.' It is common to call friends just to ask 'Nasılsın?' (How are you?) without a specific reason. If you don't do this, people will say you 'arayı açtın.' Vefa is the Turkish word for loyalty to old friends and places. 'Arayı açmak' is often seen as a minor violation of 'vefa,' which is why it's usually followed by an invitation to drink tea. The remedy for 'arayı açmak' is almost always 'bir çay içmek' (drinking a tea) or 'bir kahve içmek' (drinking a coffee). These are the social tools used to 'close the gap' (arayı kapatmak). In modern Turkey, sending a 'Cuma mesajı' (Friday message) on WhatsApp is a common way to ensure you don't 'arayı açmak' with older relatives.
Use it to be polite
If you haven't called someone, don't wait for them to complain. Say 'Arayı açtık' first to show you care.
Don't use 'Boşluk'
Even though 'gap' is 'boşluk', saying 'Boşluğu açtık' will make native speakers confused.
Signification
Not seeing someone for a long time.
Use it to be polite
If you haven't called someone, don't wait for them to complain. Say 'Arayı açtık' first to show you care.
Don't use 'Boşluk'
Even though 'gap' is 'boşluk', saying 'Boşluğu açtık' will make native speakers confused.
The 'Tea' Rule
In Turkey, if you admit to 'arayı açmak', you are usually expected to suggest a meeting immediately after.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'arayı açmak'.
Eski arkadaşımla beş yıldır konuşmuyoruz, ______ çok ______.
We use 'arayı' (accusative) and 'açtık' (past tense, we) to show that we haven't spoken for five years.
Which sentence is an appropriate response to someone you haven't seen in a long time?
Uzun zamandır görüşmüyoruz!
'Arayı açmak' is the standard idiom for acknowledging a long time has passed.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Neden beni hiç aramıyorsun?' Can: 'Haklısın, işler çok yoğundu, ______.'
Can is explaining why he hasn't called, so he admits to 'opening the gap'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Arayı açmak
The idiom specifically refers to the time gap between social interactions.
Complete the promise.
Bundan sonra daha sık görüşelim, lütfen ______ ______.
The negative optative 'açmayalım' (let's not open) is used to make a promise to stay in touch.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Açmak vs. Kapatmak
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesEski arkadaşımla beş yıldır konuşmuyoruz, ______ çok ______.
We use 'arayı' (accusative) and 'açtık' (past tense, we) to show that we haven't spoken for five years.
Uzun zamandır görüşmüyoruz!
'Arayı açmak' is the standard idiom for acknowledging a long time has passed.
Ayşe: 'Neden beni hiç aramıyorsun?' Can: 'Haklısın, işler çok yoğundu, ______.'
Can is explaining why he hasn't called, so he admits to 'opening the gap'.
Arayı açmak
The idiom specifically refers to the time gap between social interactions.
Bundan sonra daha sık görüşelim, lütfen ______ ______.
The negative optative 'açmayalım' (let's not open) is used to make a promise to stay in touch.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt describes a negative situation (losing touch), but using the phrase is positive because it shows you want to reconnect.
Only if you have a very friendly, long-term relationship. Otherwise, use more formal language like 'irtibat kuramadık'.
'Açmak' is about time/distance. 'Soğutmak' is about the loss of friendship/warmth.
You say 'Arayı açmayalım'.
Yes, in sports (e.g., a runner pulling away), but in daily life, it's 99% social.
Yes, it's perfect for a friendly email to a former colleague or client.
No, but the person you lost touch with is usually preceded by 'ile' (with). Example: 'Ahmet ile arayı açtık.'
The past tense 'açtık' (we opened) is the most common.
Yes, 'Koptuk' or 'Bağlar koptu' are more casual/slang.
No, it's too weak. It implies you might still be friends.
Yes, it is a universal Turkish idiom.
There is no fixed time, but usually at least a few weeks or months.
Expressions liées
Arayı soğutmak
similarTo let a relationship cool down.
Arayı kapatmak
contrastTo catch up or make up for lost time.
İrtibatı kesmek
specialized formTo cut off all communication.
Uzaklaşmak
synonymTo become distant.
Görüşmez olmak
synonymTo stop seeing each other.
