Signification
To laugh very hard.
Contexte culturel
In classic Turkish movies, actors like Kemal Sunal often use physical comedy that makes audiences 'gülmekten kırılmak'. This shared cultural laughter is a huge part of Turkish identity. Turkish 'sohbet' (conversation) culture values people who can tell a good story and make the group 'gülmekten kırılmak'. Being 'nüktedan' (witty) is a highly respected social trait. The Meddah was a traditional storyteller who would perform in coffeehouses. His goal was to make the audience 'gülmekten kırılmak' through various voices and characters. On Turkish social media (Twitter/X, Instagram), users often use the abbreviation 'Gülmekten kırıldım' or just 'Yarıldım' to react to viral content, showing the idiom's evolution into the digital age.
Use it in the Past
You will use 'gülmekten kırıldık' (we laughed) much more often than the present tense. It's usually used to describe a completed funny event.
Not for Bosses
Even if your boss is funny, stick to 'Çok komik' or 'Çok güldük.' 'Gülmekten kırıldım' is a bit too casual for the boardroom.
Signification
To laugh very hard.
Use it in the Past
You will use 'gülmekten kırıldık' (we laughed) much more often than the present tense. It's usually used to describe a completed funny event.
Not for Bosses
Even if your boss is funny, stick to 'Çok komik' or 'Çok güldük.' 'Gülmekten kırıldım' is a bit too casual for the boardroom.
Add 'Resmen'
Add the word 'resmen' (literally/officially) for extra emphasis: 'Resmen gülmekten kırıldık!'
Body Language
When saying this, Turks often mimic the action of doubling over or slapping their knee to emphasize how 'broken' they were.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
O kadar komik bir fıkra anlattı ki hepimiz gülmekten _______.
We need the past tense ('-dik') and the passive/reflexive form ('-ıl-') to match 'hepimiz' (all of us).
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the natural-sounding sentence:
The first option is a standard, natural usage in the past tense.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Yeni komedi filmini izledin mi?' Fatma: 'Evet, izledim. Bazı sahnelerde ________.'
Fatma is talking about a past experience (watching the movie), so 'gülmekten kırıldım' is the correct past tense form.
Match the situation to the correct reaction.
Your friend tells a hilarious story about their cat.
'Gülmekten kırıldım' is the only appropriate response to something funny.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesO kadar komik bir fıkra anlattı ki hepimiz gülmekten _______.
We need the past tense ('-dik') and the passive/reflexive form ('-ıl-') to match 'hepimiz' (all of us).
Choose the natural-sounding sentence:
The first option is a standard, natural usage in the past tense.
Ayşe: 'Yeni komedi filmini izledin mi?' Fatma: 'Evet, izledim. Bazı sahnelerde ________.'
Fatma is talking about a past experience (watching the movie), so 'gülmekten kırıldım' is the correct past tense form.
Your friend tells a hilarious story about their cat.
'Gülmekten kırıldım' is the only appropriate response to something funny.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, it's not rude, but it is very informal. It's perfectly fine with friends and family.
It might sound sarcastic if the joke wasn't actually that funny. Use it for things that are truly hilarious.
'Gülmekten ölmek' (dying of laughter) is slightly more extreme, but they are used interchangeably.
Yes! 'Yorgunluktan kırılmak' (to be exhausted) and 'soğuktan kırılmak' (to be freezing) are common.
Yes, in novels with dialogue or informal narration, but not in formal academic texts.
You use the causative: 'Beni gülmekten kırdı geçirdi.'
Yes, 'yarılmak' is the most common slang equivalent among young people.
Metaphorically, yes—the kind of 'pain' you get in your ribs from laughing too much.
Absolutely! It's very common in WhatsApp and social media comments.
It's usually introduced at the A2 level as students move beyond basic verbs like 'gülmek'.
Yes, for many learners. Practice it as a neutral sound deep in the throat.
Yes, it's a great way to react in the moment!
No, it is a standard idiom used across all of Turkey.
Never. It is always about positive, joyful laughter.
Expressions liées
gülmekten ölmek
synonymTo die of laughter
yerlere yatmak
similarTo lie on the floors (from laughing)
kahkahaya boğulmak
similarTo be drowned in laughter
kırıp geçirmek
builds onTo leave everyone in stitches
yarılmak
specialized formTo be split open
tebessüm etmek
contrastTo smile
