Signification
To be forced to do something.
Contexte culturel
In small businesses (Esnaf), 'eli mahkum' is often used during bargaining to explain why a price cannot be lowered further (e.g., 'Maliyetler arttı, bu fiyata satmaya elim mahkum'). Respect for elders (saygı) often creates situations where younger family members feel 'eli mahkum' to follow advice or attend events they dislike. The phrase is a staple of Istanbul life, especially regarding traffic, public transport, and high rent prices, reflecting a shared sense of urban struggle. A host might use this phrase jokingly if they keep offering food to a guest: 'Hepsini bitirmeye elin mahkum, yoksa bırakmam!'
The Dative Rule
Always look for the '-e' or '-a' suffix on the verb before 'eli mahkum'. It's the 'to' in 'forced TO do'.
Don't Overuse
If you use it for every small thing, you'll sound like a very negative person. Save it for real constraints!
Signification
To be forced to do something.
The Dative Rule
Always look for the '-e' or '-a' suffix on the verb before 'eli mahkum'. It's the 'to' in 'forced TO do'.
Don't Overuse
If you use it for every small thing, you'll sound like a very negative person. Save it for real constraints!
Sympathy Tool
Using 'elim mahkum' is a great way to get Turkish people to sympathize with you. It shows you're not being difficult on purpose.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'eli mahkum'.
Param bitti, bu yüzden babamdan para iste-meye ______.
The subject is 'I' (Param bitti), so you must use the first-person possessive 'elim'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'eli mahkum'?
Hangi durumda 'eli mahkum' denir?
The idiom requires a sense of being forced by circumstances (the storm).
Match the person with the correct form of the idiom.
Eşleştiriniz:
The possessive suffix on 'el' must match the subject.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Bu işi yapmak istemiyorum!' Mehmet: 'Biliyorum ama patron çok sert, ______.'
Mehmet is talking to Ayşe, so he uses the second-person 'elin'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesParam bitti, bu yüzden babamdan para iste-meye ______.
The subject is 'I' (Param bitti), so you must use the first-person possessive 'elim'.
Hangi durumda 'eli mahkum' denir?
The idiom requires a sense of being forced by circumstances (the storm).
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
The possessive suffix on 'el' must match the subject.
Ayşe: 'Bu işi yapmak istemiyorum!' Mehmet: 'Biliyorum ama patron çok sert, ______.'
Mehmet is talking to Ayşe, so he uses the second-person 'elin'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsGenerally no. It implies a lack of choice and a sense of being forced, which is usually negative or neutral.
It must be 'eli mahkum' (or elim, elin, etc.). The possessive suffix is required.
Not necessarily, but it implies they are weak or have no power in that situation. Use with caution.
'Mecburiyet' is the noun for 'necessity.' 'Eli mahkum' is the idiomatic way to describe a person in that state.
Yes: 'Eli mahkumdu' (He was forced).
No, you can use it alone. 'Neden yaptın?' 'Elim mahkumdu.'
Yes, very frequently to describe market conditions or lack of alternatives.
No, the idiom is fixed with 'el' (hand).
Yes, it is acceptable in most writing except for very dry academic or legal texts.
Close, but 'hands are tied' often means 'I can't help you,' while 'eli mahkum' means 'I have to do this.'
Expressions liées
eli kolu bağlı
similarTo have one's hands and arms tied.
mecbur kalmak
synonymTo be obliged/forced.
çaresiz kalmak
similarTo be left without a solution.
boyun eğmek
builds onTo bow one's neck / to submit.
kaderine razı olmak
similarTo be resigned to one's fate.
