Signification
Spending a lot of energy on a task
Contexte culturel
Turkish students often use this phrase during 'vize' (midterm) and 'final' weeks. It shows a badge of honor for the difficulty of their studies. In Turkish business culture, showing that you are 'kafa patlatmak' is seen as a sign of loyalty and hard work (çalışkanlık). Often, 'kafa patlatmak' is accompanied by drinking excessive amounts of Turkish coffee or tea to stay alert. Masters (ustalar) use it when they face a unique mechanical problem that requires a custom solution.
Use with 'üzerine'
To sound more natural, use the pattern '[Topic] üzerine kafa patlatmak'.
Not for Headaches
Never use this to describe a medical headache. People will think you are working on a secret project!
Signification
Spending a lot of energy on a task
Use with 'üzerine'
To sound more natural, use the pattern '[Topic] üzerine kafa patlatmak'.
Not for Headaches
Never use this to describe a medical headache. People will think you are working on a secret project!
Intensity Levels
If you want to show you are *really* struggling, add 'gece gündüz' (night and day) before the phrase.
The 'Emek' Factor
Using this phrase in a job interview can show you are a dedicated problem-solver.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'kafa patlatmak'.
Bu matematik sorusunu çözmek için üç saat __________.
The sentence is in the past tense ('three hours'), so 'kafa patlattım' (I racked my brain) is correct.
Which situation is most appropriate for 'kafa patlatmak'?
Hangi durumda bu deyimi kullanırız?
Designing a new app requires intense mental effort, which fits the idiom.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Tatil planı ne oldu?' Mehmet: 'Henüz bitmedi, hala rotalar üzerine __________.'
The present continuous 'kafa patlatıyoruz' indicates they are currently working on it.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesBu matematik sorusunu çözmek için üç saat __________.
The sentence is in the past tense ('three hours'), so 'kafa patlattım' (I racked my brain) is correct.
Hangi durumda bu deyimi kullanırız?
Designing a new app requires intense mental effort, which fits the idiom.
Ayşe: 'Tatil planı ne oldu?' Mehmet: 'Henüz bitmedi, hala rotalar üzerine __________.'
The present continuous 'kafa patlatıyoruz' indicates they are currently working on it.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not rude, but it is informal. It's safe to use with colleagues and friends, but maybe not in a formal letter to a judge.
Yes! You can say 'O çok kafa patlatıyor' (He is thinking hard).
'Düşünmek' is just 'to think.' 'Kafa patlatmak' is to think until it hurts or until you find a solution.
No, it's 100% figurative.
Only if choosing the movie is extremely difficult and important. Otherwise, it sounds too dramatic.
Yes, 'zihin yormak' or 'üzerinde derinlemesine düşünmek' are more formal.
Yes, it is a standard idiom used throughout the country.
It's understandable but 'kafa patlatmak' is the standard idiom.
Kafa patlatacağım (I will rack my brain).
Yes, especially in rock or rap songs about life's struggles.
Expressions liées
kafa yormak
synonymTo tire the head / think about something.
ince eleyip sık dokumak
similarTo sift finely and weave densely.
beyin fırtınası
builds onBrainstorming.
zihin jimnastiği
similarMental gymnastics.
kafa patlamak
specialized formFor the head to explode (intransitive).
