Signification
Asking for a short pause.
Contexte culturel
The 'Turkish Minute' is a flexible concept. If someone says 'bir dakika', it could mean 10 seconds or 5 minutes. It's more about the intention to be quick than the actual time. In Turkish business culture, asking a client to wait using 'bir dakika bekle' is too blunt. 'Sizi biraz bekleteceğim' (I will make you wait a little) is the professional way to say it. Younger Turks often use 'bi dk' or just 'dk' in WhatsApp messages. It's the equivalent of 'sec' or 'brb' in English. If you are a guest and you ask your host to wait, they will often respond with 'Başımızın üstünde yerin var' (You have a place on our heads), meaning 'Take all the time you need.'
The Finger Gesture
Raise your index finger slightly while saying this to make it more natural.
Watch the Tone
If said too loudly, it can sound like you are angry or impatient with the other person.
Signification
Asking for a short pause.
The Finger Gesture
Raise your index finger slightly while saying this to make it more natural.
Watch the Tone
If said too loudly, it can sound like you are angry or impatient with the other person.
Use 'Bi' dakka'
To sound like a local, drop the 'r' in 'bir' and the 'i' in 'dakika'.
Teste-toi
How would you ask your teacher to wait a moment?
Öğretmenim, ______.
You must use the formal '-in' suffix with a teacher.
Complete the sentence with the missing word.
Bir ______ bekle, telefonumu almadım.
'Dakika' (minute) is the standard word for a short wait.
What is the most natural response?
A: Hadi gidelim! B: ______
When someone says 'Let's go', asking them to wait is a logical response if you aren't ready.
Match the phrase to the formality level.
1. Bi' dakka bekle. 2. Bir dakika bekleyiniz. 3. Bir dakika bekler misiniz?
Contractions are casual, '-iniz' is official, and question forms are polite.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Wait Times in Turkish
Very Short
- • Bir saniye
- • Bi' sn
Short
- • Bir dakika
- • Bi' dakka
Medium
- • Biraz bekle
- • Az bekle
Long
- • Sabret
- • Beklemede kal
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesÖğretmenim, ______.
You must use the formal '-in' suffix with a teacher.
Bir ______ bekle, telefonumu almadım.
'Dakika' (minute) is the standard word for a short wait.
A: Hadi gidelim! B: ______
When someone says 'Let's go', asking them to wait is a logical response if you aren't ready.
1. Bi' dakka bekle. 2. Bir dakika bekleyiniz. 3. Bir dakika bekler misiniz?
Contractions are casual, '-iniz' is official, and question forms are polite.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt depends on the person. With friends, it's perfect. With a boss, use 'bekleyin'.
Yes, 'Bir dakika!' is a very common way to say 'Wait!' or 'Hold on!'
'Dakika' is minute, 'saniye' is second. 'Saniye' sounds more urgent.
Say 'Beni bekle'.
Yes, 'Bi' dakka' is the most common informal/slangy version.
No, it's too spoken. Use 'İlginiz için teşekkürler, kısa süre içinde döneceğim'.
It's a cultural habit to show you are working on the request, not a literal time promise.
It is 'dakikalar', but we use the singular with numbers (e.g., beş dakika).
Yes, 'Otobüs bekle' (Wait for the bus).
Say 'Bekleme'.
Expressions liées
bir saniye
similarone second
bekle
specialized formwait
sabret
builds onbe patient
dur
contraststop
bir an
similara moment
