Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 adjective 9 min de lecture

sarı

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces sarı en 30 secondes

Explication sarı in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'sarı' is one of the first ten colors you will learn. It is used in its most literal sense to describe everyday objects. You will use it to talk about fruits (sarı elma, sarı muz), clothing (sarı tişört), and basic identification (Bu ne renk? Bu sarı.). The focus is on simple adjective-noun agreement and basic sentence structures like 'Bu araba sarı' (This car is yellow). You should be able to recognize the word in simple shopping dialogues or when describing your favorite color. At this stage, don't worry about complex metaphors; just focus on the physical color of the objects around you. You will also learn 'sarı' in the context of traffic lights (kırmızı, sarı, yeşil).

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'sarı' to describe people and more complex surroundings. You will learn the term 'sarışın' (blonde) to describe a person's appearance. You'll also encounter the word in simple compound nouns like 'sarımsak' (garlic - though the etymology is debated, the 'sarı' root is visible). You'll start using 'sarı' with possessives, such as 'yumurtanın sarısı' (egg yolk) in a recipe. You might also learn the emphatic version 'sapsarı' to describe something very bright or someone who has turned very pale. Simple idioms like 'sarı kart' (yellow card) in sports become relevant here as well.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B1 level, you will encounter 'sarı' in more idiomatic and cultural contexts. You'll understand terms like 'sarı basın kartı' or 'sarı sendika' in news articles. You will start using the verb 'sararmak' (to turn yellow/pale) to describe autumn leaves or a person's reaction to bad news. You can describe shades more accurately using '-ımsı' or '-ımtırak' (sarımsı - yellowish). You'll also learn more specific color names like 'altın sarısı' (golden) or 'limon sarısı' (lemon yellow) to add detail to your writing. In literature, you might see 'sarı' used to set a mood, such as the 'sarı sıcak' of a Mediterranean summer afternoon.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B2 level, 'sarı' appears in more complex idioms and abstract discussions. You'll learn the famous Turkish expression 'Sarı çizmeli Mehmet Ağa,' which refers to someone unknown or an anonymous person who is hard to track down. You'll understand the nuance of 'sarı' in political history or social commentary. Your vocabulary will expand to include 'sarılık' not just as a color quality but as a medical term (jaundice). You will be expected to use 'sarı' and its derivatives fluently in various registers, from describing the 'sarı sayfalar' (yellow pages) to analyzing the use of the color in a Turkish film or poem. You'll also distinguish between 'sarı' and more poetic terms like 'kehribar' (amber) or 'dorat'.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, you explore the deep etymological and symbolic roots of 'sarı'. You might analyze how the word 'sarı' has evolved from Old Turkic and its relationship to other Turkic languages. You'll recognize 'sarı' in classical Ottoman-influenced literature where it might be replaced by the Persian 'zerd'. You'll understand subtle cultural references, such as why a certain neighborhood is named 'Sarıyer' or the historical significance of 'Sarı Zeybek' (a reference to Atatürk). You will use 'sarı' with high precision in academic or professional contexts, perhaps discussing the 'sarı nokta hastalığı' (macular degeneration) in a medical context or 'sarı altın' versus 'beyaz altın' in metallurgy.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, 'sarı' is used with total native-like mastery, including its most obscure and archaic applications. You can appreciate the phonosemantic value of 'sarı' in Turkish poetry and its role in the vowel harmony system. You'll understand the semiotics of yellow in Turkish art and traditional crafts (like Ebru or tile making). You can engage in deep philosophical or linguistic debates about why 'sarı' is used for both 'blonde' and 'pale' and how this reflects the Turkic worldview of colors and health. You will also be familiar with rare regional dialects where 'sarı' might be used in unique ways to describe soil types or specific weather patterns.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

sarı en 30 secondes

Sarı is the Turkish word for the color yellow, used for objects, hair (blonde), and health conditions like paleness.
It is a basic A1-level adjective that always precedes the noun it modifies in a sentence.
Culturally, it is associated with Istanbul taxis, football teams, autumn, and gold, carrying both warm and cautionary meanings.
Derivatives include 'sarışın' (blonde person), 'sapsarı' (bright yellow), and 'sararmak' (to turn yellow).

The Turkish word sarı is the primary adjective used to describe the color yellow. In its most basic sense, it refers to the hue of a lemon, the sun, or gold. However, in Turkish linguistics and culture, sarı extends far beyond a simple visual descriptor. It is one of the most ancient words in the Turkic lexicon, tracing its roots back to Old Turkic 'sarïğ'. In daily life, you will encounter this word in contexts ranging from grocery shopping (yellow apples) to sports (the colors of major football teams like Galatasaray or Fenerbahçe) and even in describing physical characteristics of people.

Primary Color: Used to describe objects that reflect light in the 570–590 nm spectrum. Examples include 'sarı güneş' (yellow sun) and 'sarı limon' (yellow lemon).
Human Features: In Turkish, 'sarı' is the standard way to describe blonde hair or fair skin. A blonde person is called 'sarışın', but their hair is simply 'sarı saç'.
Metaphorical State: It can denote paleness due to illness. If someone looks sick, you might say 'yüzü sapsarı' (their face is very yellow/pale).

En sevdiğim renk sarıdır çünkü bana enerjiyi ve güneşi hatırlatır.

Translation: My favorite color is yellow because it reminds me of energy and the sun.

Psychologically, in Turkey, yellow is often associated with warmth and autumn. The 'Sarı Yaz' (Yellow Summer) refers to the late September/October period when the sun is still warm but the leaves are turning. It is also the color of gold (altın), which holds immense cultural value in Turkish traditions, particularly at weddings. Therefore, 'sarı' often carries connotations of value and brightness. In urban settings, 'sarı dolmuş' (yellow shared taxi) or 'sarı taksi' (yellow taxi) are iconic elements of the Istanbul landscape. Understanding 'sarı' is essential for navigating everything from fashion to traffic signals (where 'sarı ışık' means caution/prepare).

Sonbaharda ağaçların yaprakları sarıya döner.

Translation: In autumn, the leaves of the trees turn yellow.

In the culinary world, 'sarı' is used for 'sarı mercimek' (yellow lentils), which is a staple of Turkish cuisine. It is also used to differentiate between varieties of fruits, such as 'sarı elma' (yellow apple) versus 'kırmızı elma' (red apple). The word is versatile and behaves like a standard adjective, preceding the noun it modifies without requiring any case markers in its base form. However, when used as a noun (e.g., the yellow of the egg), it becomes 'sarısı' through the use of possessive suffixes.

Using sarı in a sentence follows the standard Turkish adjective-noun order. Unlike English, where adjectives can sometimes be complex in their placement, Turkish is quite consistent: the adjective comes before the noun. If you want to say 'yellow car', you say 'sarı araba'. If you want to emphasize the intensity of the color, you can use the reduplicated form sapsarı (pitch yellow/bright yellow).

As an Attributive Adjective: Directly before the noun: 'Sarı çiçekler bahçeyi süslüyor' (Yellow flowers are decorating the garden).
As a Predicative Adjective: At the end of a sentence with a copula: 'Bu kalem sarıdır' (This pen is yellow).
As a Substantive Noun: When the noun is implied: 'Sarıyı mı istersin, maviyi mi?' (Do you want the yellow [one] or the blue [one]?).

Onun sarı bir montu var.

Translation: He/she has a yellow coat.

One common grammatical point for learners is the use of 'sarı' with possessives to indicate parts of things. For example, 'yumurtanın sarısı' literally means 'the yellow of the egg' (the yolk). In this case, 'sarı' takes the third-person possessive suffix '-sı'. Similarly, 'gözünün sarısı' could refer to the yellowish tint in someone's eyes, perhaps indicating health issues like jaundice (sarılık). Note that the disease jaundice itself is called 'sarılık', derived from 'sarı' by adding the '-lık' suffix which creates abstract nouns or names of conditions.

In poetic or descriptive Turkish, 'sarı' is often paired with nature. You might hear 'sarı başaklar' (yellow ears of wheat) in a folk song or 'sarı sıcak' (yellow heat) to describe the scorching, bright sun of the Anatolian summer. The word also appears in many compound nouns like 'sarıpapatya' (yellow daisy/chamomile) or 'sarıasma' (golden oriole). For learners, mastering 'sarı' involves recognizing these combinations and understanding that while it is a simple color, its application in Turkish is incredibly broad and deeply embedded in the physical environment of Turkey.

You will hear sarı everywhere in Turkey, from the chaotic streets of Istanbul to the quiet villages of central Anatolia. One of the most frequent places is in transportation. Istanbul's 'sarı taksi' (yellow taxi) is a global icon. If you are waiting for a bus or a shared minibus (dolmuş), you might specify the 'sarı dolmuş' to distinguish it from the blue or beige ones. In football culture, which is massive in Turkey, 'sarı' is half of the identity for two 'Big Three' teams: 'Sarı-Lacivert' (Yellow and Navy Blue - Fenerbahçe) and 'Sarı-Kırmızı' (Yellow and Red - Galatasaray). Fans often just shout 'Sarı!' to which others respond with the second color.

Hakem oyuncuya sarı kart gösterdi.

Translation: The referee showed a yellow card to the player.

In the market (pazar), vendors will shout about their 'sarı limonlar' or 'sarı kavunlar' (yellow melons). If you are looking for a specific item, like a 'sarı zarf' (yellow envelope - often used for official government documents), people will immediately know what you mean. The phrase 'sarı basın kartı' (yellow press card) was for a long time the standard term for official journalist accreditation in Turkey, though the color has changed recently, the term still lingers in conversation.

In the Kitchen: 'Sarı mercimek çorbası' (Yellow lentil soup) is a daily staple in almost every Turkish home and restaurant.
In Politics/News: 'Sarı sendika' (yellow union) is a term used to describe a company-dominated labor union, similar to the English usage.

Furthermore, in the context of health, a mother might worry if her baby looks 'sarı', referring to neonatal jaundice. In beauty and fashion, 'sarı saç' is a highly discussed topic, with various shades like 'platin sarısı' (platinum blonde) or 'küllü sarı' (ash blonde) being common terms in hair salons (kuaför). Even in nature documentaries, you'll hear about the 'Sarı Deniz' (Yellow Sea) or specific local flora and fauna. The word is indispensable for basic navigation and descriptive conversation.

While sarı is a simple A1-level word, English speakers often make mistakes in its application, particularly regarding hair and intensity. One major pitfall is using 'sarı' to describe things that are actually 'gold' in color. While 'sarı' covers the basic hue, if you are talking about jewelry or something of high value, you should use altın or altın rengi. Calling a gold ring 'sarı yüzük' might imply it's just a piece of yellow plastic rather than a precious metal.

Another common error is the confusion between 'sarı' and 'turuncu' (orange). In some older Turkish dialects or rural speech, the distinction between yellow and orange can sometimes blur, but in modern standard Turkish, they are strictly separate. Using 'sarı' for an orange (the fruit) or a bright orange sunset will sound incorrect to a native speaker. Also, remember that 'sarı' does not change for gender or number in its adjective form—a common mistake for those coming from Romance languages.

Wrong Intensity: Using 'çok sarı' instead of the emphatic 'sapsarı'. While 'çok sarı' is grammatically okay, 'sapsarı' is much more natural for 'bright yellow'.
Noun Possession: Forgetting the '-sı' when saying 'egg yolk'. It's not 'yumurta sarı', it's 'yumurta sarısı'.

Yanlış: Sarı saçlı bir kız gördüm. (Technically okay but...) Doğru: Sarışın bir kız gördüm.

Note: 'Sarı saçlı' is descriptive, 'Sarışın' is the noun/adjective for the person.

Finally, be careful with the word 'sarılık'. If you mean 'the quality of being yellow', it works. But if you are in a hospital, it almost exclusively refers to 'jaundice'. Context is key. Similarly, 'sararmak' (to turn yellow) is the verb form. Don't try to say 'sarı olmak' for natural processes like leaves changing color; 'sararmak' is the preferred, more idiomatic choice.

Turkish has several words that overlap with sarı or describe specific shades of it. Understanding these will make your Turkish sound more sophisticated. For example, when describing something that is 'yellowish' or 'faded yellow', you might use sarımtırak or sarımsı. These suffixes (-mtırak, -msı) function like the English '-ish'.

Altın Rengi: Golden. Used for jewelry, metallic finishes, or very high-quality wheat fields.
Limonî: Lemon-colored. Often used metaphorically to mean 'pale' or 'unwell'.
Kehribar: Amber. Used for eyes, tea, or precious stones.
Saman Sarısı: Straw yellow. A very pale, dull yellow often used for hair or dried grass.

In literature, you might encounter zerd (from Persian), though this is archaic and not used in modern speech except in very specific poetic contexts or certain compound names. Another important distinction is dorat (or doru), which is used for horses (bay/reddish-brown), but sometimes confused by learners with yellowish tones. When describing skin, solgun (pale) is often a better alternative than 'sarı' if you want to say someone looks tired or ill without implying they have a liver condition.

Gözleri kehribar rengindeydi.

Translation: His/her eyes were the color of amber.

Finally, consider the word yaldızlı (gilded/gold-plated). If something isn't solid gold but has a yellow-shiny surface, this is the term to use. For environmental descriptions, bozkır (steppe) often implies a yellowish-brown landscape, which is the characteristic color of central Turkey (Anatolia). Knowing when to switch from the generic 'sarı' to these more specific terms will greatly enhance your descriptive ability in Turkish.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In ancient Turkic symbolism, colors were associated with directions. While blue was East and Red was South, Yellow was often associated with the 'Center' or the earth itself.

Guide de prononciation

UK /sɑˈɾɯ/

US /sɑˈrə/

The stress is on the second syllable: sa-Rı.

Rime avec

arı (bee) yarı (half) karı (wife - informal) ayrı (separate) gayrı (other) dar(ı) (corn/narrow) barı (at least) narı (pomegranate)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'ı' as 'i' (making it sound like 'sari', the Indian garment).
Pronouncing 'a' too flat like in 'cat'.
Heavy American 'r' instead of a light tap.
Stress on the first syllable.
Aspirating the 's' too much.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize and read.

Écriture 2/5

Easy, but remember the 'ı' instead of 'i'.

Expression orale 3/5

The final 'ı' sound can be tricky for English speakers.

Écoute 1/5

Distinctive sound, easy to pick out in speech.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

renk bu bir var yok

Apprends ensuite

mavi kırmızı yeşil beyaz siyah

Avancé

kehribar dorat sararmak sarılık sarışın

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Position

Sarı (Adj) + Ev (Noun) = Sarı ev.

Reduplication for Emphasis

Sarı -> Sap + sarı = Sapsarı.

Possessive Noun Compound

Yumurta (Egg) + Sarı (Yellow) + sı (Possessive) = Yumurta sarısı (Yolk).

Abstract Noun Suffix -lık

Sarı + lık = Sarılık (Yellowness/Jaundice).

Verb Suffix -ar

Sarı + ar + mak = Sararmak (To turn yellow).

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

Bu sarı bir elmadır.

This is a yellow apple.

Adjective 'sarı' comes before the noun 'elma'.

Güneş sarıdır.

The sun is yellow.

Predicate use with the copula '-dır'.

Sarı tişörtümü çok seviyorum.

I love my yellow t-shirt very much.

Accusative case on 'tişört' doesn't affect 'sarı'.

Limon sarı bir meyvedir.

Lemon is a yellow fruit.

Simple classification sentence.

Sarı kalem nerede?

Where is the yellow pen?

Interrogative sentence with adjective.

Kedi sarı bir yumakla oynuyor.

The cat is playing with a yellow ball of yarn.

Use of 'ile' (with) as '-la'.

Evimizin kapısı sarı.

Our house's door is yellow.

Possessive construction 'evimizin kapısı'.

Bana sarı bir kağıt ver.

Give me a yellow paper.

Imperative mood.

Onun saçları sarı.

His/her hair is yellow (blonde).

Describing hair color.

Ayşe sarışın bir kızdır.

Ayşe is a blonde girl.

Use of the noun/adjective 'sarışın' for people.

Korkudan yüzü sapsarı oldu.

His/her face turned bright yellow (pale) from fear.

Emphatic reduplication 'sapsarı'.

Yumurtanın sarısını ayır.

Separate the yolk of the egg.

Possessive '-sı' used on 'sarı' to mean 'yolk'.

Sarı taksiyle merkeze gittik.

We went to the center by yellow taxi.

Instrumental case with '-le'.

Bahçede sarı papatyalar var.

There are yellow daisies in the garden.

Plural noun with adjective.

Sarı ışıkta durma, hazırlan.

Don't stop at the yellow light, get ready.

Locative case 'ışıkta'.

En sevdiğim renk sarıdır.

My favorite color is yellow.

Identifying a favorite thing.

Sonbaharda yapraklar sararır.

Leaves turn yellow in autumn.

Verb 'sararmak' derived from 'sarı'.

Sarı mercimek çorbası çok lezzetlidir.

Yellow lentil soup is very delicious.

Compound noun 'sarı mercimek'.

Sarımsı bir elbise giymişti.

She was wearing a yellowish dress.

Suffix '-msı' meaning '-ish'.

Hakem ona sarı kart gösterdi.

The referee showed him a yellow card.

Sporting terminology.

Sarı basın kartı olanlar girebilir.

Those with a yellow press card can enter.

Specific professional term.

Odanın duvarlarını fildişi sarısına boyadık.

We painted the room walls ivory yellow.

Specific shade 'fildişi sarısı'.

Sarı sıcaklarda dışarı çıkmamalıyız.

We shouldn't go out in the yellow (scorching) heat.

Idiomatic 'sarı sıcak'.

Kitabın sayfaları yıllar içinde sararmış.

The pages of the book have yellowed over the years.

Perfective use of 'sararmak'.

Bu işi sarı çizmeli Mehmet Ağa'ya mı soracağız?

Are we going to ask 'Mehmet Ağa with yellow boots' (an unknown person) about this?

Famous idiom for an unknown person.

Sarı sendikalar işçilerin haklarını savunmaz.

Yellow unions do not defend the rights of workers.

Political term 'sarı sendika'.

Hastanın gözlerindeki sarılık karaciğer sorununa işaret ediyor.

The jaundice in the patient's eyes indicates a liver problem.

Medical term 'sarılık' (jaundice).

Filmin sarımtırak tonları hüzünlü bir hava katmış.

The yellowish tones of the film added a sad atmosphere.

Aesthetic description.

Altın sarısı saçları güneş altında parlıyordu.

Her golden yellow hair was shining under the sun.

Compound adjective for shade.

Sarı Humma aşısı olmadan o ülkeye gidemezsin.

You cannot go to that country without a Yellow Fever vaccine.

Proper name of a disease.

Eski İstanbul'un sarı dolmuşları tarihe karıştı.

The yellow shared taxis of old Istanbul have become history.

Historical/cultural reference.

Sarı nokta hastalığı yaşlılarda sık görülür.

Macular degeneration is common in the elderly.

Medical term 'sarı nokta'.

Yazar, bozkırın sarı sessizliğini ustalıkla betimlemiş.

The author masterfully described the yellow silence of the steppe.

Literary metaphor.

Sarı Zeybek belgeseli Atatürk'ün son günlerini anlatır.

The 'Sarı Zeybek' documentary tells of Atatürk's final days.

Cultural/Historical reference.

Zerdali ağaçları sarı çiçeklerini dökmeye başladı.

The wild apricot trees started to shed their yellow flowers.

Specific botanical reference.

Siyasetin sarı koridorlarında çok şey konuşuluyor.

Much is being discussed in the yellow (dim/secretive) corridors of politics.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

Sarı Mercedes filmi, gurbetçilerin dramını simgeler.

The 'Yellow Mercedes' film symbolizes the drama of expatriates.

Cultural/Cinematic reference.

Madenin rengi sarıya çaldığı için onu altın sandılar.

Because the color of the mineral tended towards yellow, they thought it was gold.

Idiom 'sarıya çalmak' (to verge on yellow).

Sarıyer, İstanbul'un en kuzeyindeki sarı kayalıklardan ismini alır.

Sarıyer takes its name from the yellow cliffs in the northernmost part of Istanbul.

Etymological explanation.

Divan edebiyatında 'zerd' kelimesi sarı yerine sıkça kullanılır.

In Divan literature, the word 'zerd' is frequently used instead of 'sarı'.

Linguistic/Historical note.

Fenomenolojik açıdan sarı, insan ruhunda hem neşeyi hem de hastalığı çağrıştırır.

From a phenomenological perspective, yellow evokes both joy and illness in the human soul.

Academic/Philosophical register.

Sarı ırk teorileri 19. yüzyıl antropolojisinin bir ürünüdür.

Yellow race theories are a product of 19th-century anthropology.

Historical/Scientific discourse.

Metnin sararmış dokusu, onun ne kadar kadim bir geçmişe sahip olduğunu kanıtlıyor.

The yellowed texture of the text proves how ancient a past it has.

Analytical description.

Sarı sıcak, Yaşar Kemal'in Çukurova'yı anlattığı en güçlü imgelerden biridir.

Yellow heat is one of the most powerful images Yaşar Kemal uses to describe Çukurova.

Literary analysis.

Sarı ışığın spektral analizi, dalga boyu dağılımını net bir şekilde ortaya koyar.

Spectral analysis of yellow light clearly reveals the wavelength distribution.

Scientific/Technical register.

Siyasal literatürde 'sarı basın' kavramı sansasyonel gazeteciliği ifade eder.

In political literature, the concept of 'yellow press' refers to sensational journalism.

Political science terminology.

Sarıyı diğer renklerden ayıran, onun hem en parlak hem de en çabuk kirlenen renk olmasıdır.

What distinguishes yellow from other colors is that it is both the brightest and the most easily soiled color.

Complex comparative structure.

Eski Türk inançlarında sarı, dünyanın merkezini ve hükümdarlığı temsil ederdi.

In ancient Turkic beliefs, yellow represented the center of the world and sovereignty.

Cultural/Mythological history.

Collocations courantes

sarı taksi

sarı kart

sarı saç

sarı mercimek

sarı ışık

sarı yaprak

sarı basın kartı

sarı altın

sarı kantaron

sarı nokta

Phrases Courantes

Sarı sıcak

— Very intense, bright, and dry heat typical of summer afternoons.

Sarı sıcakta tarlada çalışmak zordur.

Sarı lira

— A traditional gold coin used for savings or gifts.

Geline beş tane sarı lira taktılar.

Sarı gelin

— A famous folk song; also refers to a fair-skinned/blonde bride.

Sarı Gelin türküsünü biliyor musun?

Sarı sayfalar

— Yellow pages (business directory).

Numarayı sarı sayfalardan buldum.

Sarı sendika

— A company-controlled labor union that doesn't represent workers well.

İşçiler sarı sendikaya tepki gösterdi.

Sarı basın

— Sensationalist or tabloid journalism.

Sarı basın haberlerine güven olmaz.

Sarı humma

— Yellow fever (disease).

Afrika'ya gitmeden önce sarı humma aşısı oldum.

Sarı dolmuş

— Shared minibus taxis, specifically the yellow ones in Istanbul.

Kadıköy'den sarı dolmuşa bindik.

Sarı papatya

— Yellow daisy; often a term of endearment.

Benim güzel sarı papatyam.

Sarı deniz

— The Yellow Sea.

Gemi Sarı Deniz'e doğru ilerliyor.

Souvent confondu avec

sarı vs sari

An Indian garment. In Turkish, 'sarı' ends with a back vowel 'ı', not 'i'.

sarı vs turuncu

Orange. Some learners confuse light orange with dark yellow.

sarı vs altın

Gold. 'Sarı' is the color, 'altın' is the material/precious color.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Sarı çizmeli Mehmet Ağa"

— An unknown person, someone whose address or identity is unclear.

Borcu kime vereceğiz? Sarı çizmeli Mehmet Ağa'ya mı?

Informal/Idiomatic

"Yüzü sararmak"

— To turn pale due to fear, illness, or shock.

Haberi duyunca yüzü sarardı.

Neutral

"Sarıya çalmak"

— To have a yellowish tint or to verge on yellow.

Bu kumaşın rengi sarıya çalıyor.

Neutral

"Sarı kart görmek"

— To be warned (literally in sports, metaphorically in life).

Patrondan ilk sarı kartı yedik.

Informal

"Sarı altın yere düşmekle pul olmaz"

— A valuable person or thing does not lose its value by being in a bad situation.

Üzülme, sarı altın yere düşmekle pul olmaz.

Proverbial

"Sarı sabır"

— Aloe vera; also implies a very long-lasting, bitter patience.

Bende sarı sabır var, beklerim.

Literary/Botanical

"Sarı gül"

— In the language of flowers, it can mean jealousy or dying love.

Ona sarı gül gönderme, yanlış anlar.

Cultural

"Sarımsaklamak"

— To season with garlic; metaphorically to make something unpleasant better.

Her şeyi sarımsaklayıp önümüze koyuyor.

Informal

"Sapsarı kesilmek"

— To become extremely pale suddenly.

Kazayı görünce sapsarı kesildi.

Neutral

"Sarı öküzü vermeyecektik"

— An idiom about giving up a small thing that leads to losing everything.

Hata yaptık, o sarı öküzü vermeyecektik.

Idiomatic/Political

Facile à confondre

sarı vs sarışın

Both mean yellow-related.

'Sarı' is the color itself; 'sarışın' is the person who has blonde hair.

Sarı saçlı, sarışın bir çocuk.

sarı vs sarılık

Common suffix use.

Can mean yellowness, but usually means the disease jaundice.

Havadaki sarılık (yellowness) vs Bebekteki sarılık (jaundice).

sarı vs sarımsak

Contains the 'sarı' sound.

It means garlic. It is a noun, not a color.

Yemeğe sarımsak koydum.

sarı vs sararmak

Action vs Description.

'Sarı' is the state; 'sararmak' is the process of becoming yellow.

Yüzü korkudan sarardı.

sarı vs sapsarı

Intensity.

'Sarı' is standard; 'sapsarı' is emphatic.

Güneş bugün sapsarı.

Structures de phrases

Bu [nesne] sarı.

Bu kalem sarı.

Sarı bir [nesne] var.

Sarı bir kuş var.

[İsim] sarışındır.

Kardeşim sarışındır.

[Nesne] sapsarı oldu.

Limon sapsarı oldu.

[Nesne] sararmaya başladı.

Yapraklar sararmaya başladı.

[İsim] sarı kart gördü.

Kaleci sarı kart gördü.

[Nesne] sarıya çalıyor.

Güneş sarıya çalıyor.

Sarı [isim] imgesi ...

Sarı sıcak imgesi çok güçlüdür.

Famille de mots

Noms

sarılık (jaundice/yellowness)

sarışınlık (blondness)

sararma (yellowing)

Verbes

sararmak (to turn yellow)

sarartmak (to make something yellow)

Adjectifs

sarışın (blonde)

sarımsı (yellowish)

sarımtırak (yellowish)

sapsarı (bright yellow)

Apparenté

altın (gold)

limon (lemon)

güneş (sun)

sonbahar (autumn)

papatya (daisy)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high (Top 500 words).

Erreurs courantes

Sarı saçlı adam → Sarışın adam
While 'sarı saçlı' is descriptive, 'sarışın' is the more natural way to call someone blonde.
Sarı araba-lar → Sarı arabalar
Adjectives in Turkish do not take the plural suffix '-lar'. Only the noun does.
Yüzü sarı oldu → Yüzü sarardı
For natural changes like turning pale, the verb 'sararmak' is much more idiomatic.
Altın yüzük -> Sarı yüzük → Altın yüzük
'Sarı' implies the color only; 'Altın' implies the material. A 'sarı yüzük' sounds cheap/plastic.
Limon sarı → Limon sarıdır / Limon sarı bir meyvedir
In a full sentence, you usually need a copula or a noun to follow.

Astuces

The Sun is Sarı

Just remember that 'Sun' and 'Sarı' both start with 'S'. The sun is the ultimate yellow object.

Taxi Identification

In Istanbul, if you want a standard taxi, look for 'sarı'. Turquoise or black ones are more expensive.

Emphasis

Add 'sap-' to the beginning to make it 'sapsarı'. This is a common way to emphasize colors in Turkish.

Fruit Colors

Use 'sarı' to distinguish between types of apples (sarı elma) or plums (sarı erik).

The Final Vowel

Don't say 'saree'. Keep your tongue flat and back for the 'ı' sound.

Lentil Soup

If you see 'Sarı Mercimek' on a menu, it's the classic Turkish lentil soup. Must try!

Autumn Leaves

Use the verb 'sararmak' when talking about leaves in the fall. 'Yapraklar sararıyor' (Leaves are turning yellow).

Yellow Cards

In a match, 'sarı kart' is the term. If you hear fans shouting 'sarı', they are likely cheering for their team.

Unknown Person

Use 'Sarı çizmeli Mehmet Ağa' when you are talking about someone nobody knows or can find.

Jaundice

If a doctor mentions 'sarılık', they are talking about jaundice, not just a color.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'SARI' (the Indian dress), but imagine it's always 'YELLOW' like the 'SUN'.

Association visuelle

Visualize an Istanbul 'SARI' taxi driving through a field of 'SARI' sunflowers.

Word Web

Limon Güneş Altın Muz Papatya Taksi Sonbahar Sarışın

Défi

Go through your room and find three things that are 'sarı'. Say 'Bu [nesne] sarı' for each one.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Old Turkic word 'sarïğ'. It has been a core color term in Turkic languages for over a thousand years.

Sens originel : Yellow, pale, or golden-colored.

Turkic (Oghuz branch).

Contexte culturel

When describing people, 'sarışın' is the polite and standard term. Avoid using 'sarı' in a racial context unless in a historical or academic discussion.

Unlike English where 'yellow' can imply cowardice, 'sarı' in Turkish does not usually carry this connotation. For cowardice, Turks use 'korkak'.

Sarı Gelin (Folk Song) Sarı Mercedes (Adalet Ağaoğlu novel/film) Sarı Zeybek (Atatürk documentary)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Shopping

Sarı olanı istiyorum.
Sarı tişört var mı?
Bu sarı çok koyu.
Sarı elma kaç lira?

Sports

Sarı kart!
Sarı-kırmızı şampiyon!
Sarı-lacivert bayrak.
Hakem sarı verdi.

Nature

Sarı yapraklar dökülüyor.
Güneş sapsarı.
Sarı papatyalar topladım.
Deniz sarı görünüyor.

Health

Yüzün sapsarı olmuş.
Bebekte sarılık var.
Gözleri sarardı.
Sarı nokta testi.

Description

Sarışın bir adam.
Sarı saçlı kadın.
Sarı boyalı ev.
Sarı ışık yanıyor.

Amorces de conversation

"En sevdiğin renk sarı mı?"

"İstanbul'un sarı taksileri hakkında ne düşünüyorsun?"

"Sarı mercimek çorbasını sever misin?"

"Sarı saçın sana yakışacağını düşünüyor musun?"

"Sonbaharda sarı yaprakları izlemeyi sever misin?"

Sujets d'écriture

Bugün çevrende gördüğün sarı şeyleri listele.

Sarı renk sana ne hissettiriyor? Neden?

Sarı bir dünyada yaşasaydın hayat nasıl olurdu?

En sevdiğin sarı meyve veya sebzeyi tarif et.

Sarı bir gününü hayal et ve anlat.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, when describing hair, 'sarı' means blonde. To describe a person as blonde, you use 'sarışın'.

'Sarı' is the basic color yellow. 'Altın' means gold (the metal) or golden (the color of gold). Use 'altın' for jewelry.

You can say 'sarımsı' or 'sarımtırak'. Both add the '-ish' meaning to the color.

Yes, 'sarı ışık' is the yellow/amber light. It tells drivers to prepare to stop or go.

It is an idiom for an anonymous or unknown person. It literally means 'Mehmet Ağa with yellow boots'.

Yes, if a person's face is 'sarı' or 'sapsarı', it usually means they look sick or frightened (pale).

It is 'yumurta sarısı'. Here, 'sarı' acts as a noun with a possessive suffix.

Yes, Fenerbahçe (Yellow-Navy) and Galatasaray (Yellow-Red) are two of the biggest clubs in Turkey.

It is 'yellow lentils', a very common ingredient for soup in Turkish cuisine.

Generally no, but 'sarı sendika' (yellow union) is a negative political term for a fake or company-controlled union.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes