Signification
Knowing what to say in specific situations.
Contexte culturel
In Turkey, 'lafını bilmek' is often linked to the concept of 'ağırbaşlılık' (being dignified/serious). A person who speaks too much or too carelessly is seen as 'hafif' (light/unreliable). Sufi traditions emphasize 'Az ye, az uyu, az konuş' (Eat little, sleep little, speak little). Knowing one's words is a spiritual discipline to avoid the sins of the tongue. In Turkish corporate culture, indirectness is often preferred over blunt honesty. 'Lafını bilmek' is the skill of giving negative feedback without losing the employee's loyalty. In village guest houses, the youngest are expected to 'know their words' by remaining silent unless spoken to, showing respect to the elders.
The 'n' Buffer
Always remember the 'n' in 'lafını'. It's laf + ı (his/her) + n (buffer) + ı (accusative).
Don't use as a command lightly
Saying 'Lafını bil!' to a stranger is very aggressive. Only use it if you are genuinely offended.
Signification
Knowing what to say in specific situations.
The 'n' Buffer
Always remember the 'n' in 'lafını'. It's laf + ı (his/her) + n (buffer) + ı (accusative).
Don't use as a command lightly
Saying 'Lafını bil!' to a stranger is very aggressive. Only use it if you are genuinely offended.
Use it in interviews
Describing yourself as someone who 'lafını bilir' shows high emotional intelligence.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'lafını bilmek'.
Senin yerinde olsam müdürle konuşurken biraz daha ______.
The sentence starts with 'Senin yerinde olsam' (If I were you), so the verb must be in the first person singular conditional ('bilirdim') and the possessive must match the speaker ('lafımı').
Which situation best describes someone who 'lafını bilir'?
Aşağıdaki durumlardan hangisi 'lafını bilen' birini tarif eder?
Lafını bilmek means speaking kindly and thoughtfully.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Mehmet yine herkesin içinde pot kırdı.' Fatma: 'Evet, maalesef hiç ______.'
Since Mehmet 'pot kırdı' (made a blunder), he does NOT know his words.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Match 'Lafını bil!' with the correct feeling.
When used as an imperative, it is a warning or a sign of anger.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSenin yerinde olsam müdürle konuşurken biraz daha ______.
The sentence starts with 'Senin yerinde olsam' (If I were you), so the verb must be in the first person singular conditional ('bilirdim') and the possessive must match the speaker ('lafımı').
Aşağıdaki durumlardan hangisi 'lafını bilen' birini tarif eder?
Lafını bilmek means speaking kindly and thoughtfully.
Ayşe: 'Mehmet yine herkesin içinde pot kırdı.' Fatma: 'Evet, maalesef hiç ______.'
Since Mehmet 'pot kırdı' (made a blunder), he does NOT know his words.
Match 'Lafını bil!' with the correct feeling.
When used as an imperative, it is a warning or a sign of anger.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it is perfectly fine for formal letters or essays to describe a person's character.
No. A person who 'knows their words' might talk a lot, but everything they say is appropriate and well-chosen.
The opposite is 'lafını bilmemek' or being 'patavatsız' (tactless).
Yes, it's a common way to praise a well-behaved and polite child.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business meeting.
Not necessarily. It's more about the 'how' than the 'what'. You can tell the truth while still 'knowing your words'.
Lafımı bilirim.
Neither is better, but 'Sözünü bilmek' sounds a bit more old-fashioned or poetic.
No, you wouldn't say a book 'knows its words'. It's only for people.
Yes, it's in the top 500 most used idiomatic expressions in Turkish.
Expressions liées
sözünü bilmek
synonymTo know one's word (more formal).
haddini bilmek
similarTo know one's place/limits.
patavatsızlık etmek
contrastTo be tactless.
lafını tartmak
builds onTo weigh one's words.
