Signification
Speaking honestly.
Contexte culturel
The proverb 'Doğru söyleyeni dokuz köyden kovarlar' warns that truth-tellers are often unwelcome. It's a key part of Turkish social wisdom. In the Ottoman court, the 'Vakanüvis' (official historian) was expected to 'doğru söylemek' about the Sultan's deeds, though this was often dangerous. In Sufi tradition, 'doğruluk' (truthfulness) is a path to God. A 'doğru insan' is a person of perfect integrity. On Turkish Twitter, people use 'Doğruya doğru' to acknowledge a point made by an opponent, showing a rare moment of consensus.
The Accusative Trick
Use 'doğruyu' (with the -yu) when you are talking about a specific secret or fact. Use 'doğru' when talking about honesty in general.
Don't be too blunt
In Turkish culture, 'doğru söylemek' is good, but 'patavatsızlık' (being tactless) is bad. Soften your truth with 'Bence' (In my opinion).
Signification
Speaking honestly.
The Accusative Trick
Use 'doğruyu' (with the -yu) when you are talking about a specific secret or fact. Use 'doğru' when talking about honesty in general.
Don't be too blunt
In Turkish culture, 'doğru söylemek' is good, but 'patavatsızlık' (being tactless) is bad. Soften your truth with 'Bence' (In my opinion).
Conversational Lubricant
Start difficult sentences with 'Doğru söylemek gerekirse...' to show you are being sincere and to prepare the listener for potentially bad news.
The Proverb
If someone gets mad at you for being honest, you can jokingly say 'Doğru söyleyeni dokuz köyden kovarlar' to lighten the mood.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'doğru söylemek'.
Lütfen bana ____, parayı sen mi aldın?
The sentence is a request/command, so the imperative 'doğru söyle' is needed.
Which sentence means 'To be honest, I don't like this place'?
...
'Doğru söylemek gerekirse' is the idiomatic expression for 'To be honest'.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Sınavdan kaç aldın?' Mehmet: '____ gerekirse, hiç çalışmadım ve kaldım.'
Mehmet is admitting a failure, so he is 'telling the truth'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
A friend asks for your honest opinion on their bad singing.
This is used to introduce an honest, possibly negative, opinion politely.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Doğru vs. Gerçek
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesLütfen bana ____, parayı sen mi aldın?
The sentence is a request/command, so the imperative 'doğru söyle' is needed.
...
'Doğru söylemek gerekirse' is the idiomatic expression for 'To be honest'.
Ayşe: 'Sınavdan kaç aldın?' Mehmet: '____ gerekirse, hiç çalışmadım ve kaldım.'
Mehmet is admitting a failure, so he is 'telling the truth'.
A friend asks for your honest opinion on their bad singing.
This is used to introduce an honest, possibly negative, opinion politely.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questions'Doğru' is truth in a moral or logical sense (opposite of lie/error). 'Gerçek' is reality or fact (opposite of dream/fake).
Both are correct. 'Doğruyu' is more specific ('the truth'), while 'doğru' is more adverbial ('speak truthfully').
Yes, 'Doğruyu söylemek gerekirse...' is a very professional way to introduce a sincere answer.
No, but the imperative 'Doğru söyle!' can be aggressive depending on your tone.
The most common way is 'Doğru söylemek gerekirse' or 'Dürüst olmak gerekirse'.
The opposite is 'yalan söylemek' (to tell a lie).
Yes, 'Kelimeyi doğru söyle' means 'Say the word correctly'.
Yes, 'Harbi konuşmak' or 'Ötmek' (to chirp/confess) are slang alternatives.
Yes, 'Onlar doğru söylüyorlar' (They are telling the truth).
No, 'doğum' comes from 'doğmak' (to be born). 'Doğru' comes from a different root meaning straight.
Yes, it is used in oaths: 'Doğruyu söyleyeceğime yemin ederim'.
It means 'Let's be fair' or 'Truth is truth', used to admit an undeniable fact.
No, for time we use 'Saati söylemek'.
It reflects the ancient metaphor that truth is a straight path, while lies are crooked.
Expressions liées
dürüst olmak
similarTo be honest (as a trait)
yalan söylemek
contrastTo tell a lie
açık konuşmak
similarTo speak openly/bluntly
gerçeği açıklamak
specialized formTo reveal the truth
doğruya doğru
builds onTruth is truth
