뜻
Doing things individually.
문화적 배경
Among young people in Istanbul, being 'kendi yolunda' is a badge of honor, often associated with the 'indie' or 'startup' culture. In smaller villages, 'kendi yolunda gitmek' can sometimes be seen as a sign of being 'aykırı' (contrary or divergent), as communal harmony is highly valued. The 'yol' (path) is a sacred concept in Anatolian mysticism, where finding one's own path to the divine is the ultimate goal. Turkish business culture is becoming more individualistic, and 'kendi yolunu çizmek' is now encouraged in leadership training.
Use it for Career
In a professional context, use 'kendi yolunu çizmek' to sound more ambitious and proactive than just 'kendi yolunda gitmek'.
Watch the Suffix
Always double-check if you need 'yolumda' (my), 'yolunda' (your/his), or 'yolumuzda' (our). This is the #1 mistake for A1-A2 learners.
뜻
Doing things individually.
Use it for Career
In a professional context, use 'kendi yolunu çizmek' to sound more ambitious and proactive than just 'kendi yolunda gitmek'.
Watch the Suffix
Always double-check if you need 'yolumda' (my), 'yolunda' (your/his), or 'yolumuzda' (our). This is the #1 mistake for A1-A2 learners.
Elalem Ne Der?
Remember that being 'kendi yolunda' is often a response to the social pressure of 'What will others say?' Use it to express independence from social judgment.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'kendi yolunda' based on the subject.
Ben çok bağımsızım, her zaman ___________ giderim.
The subject is 'Ben' (I), so the possessive suffix must be '-um' (my).
Which sentence best describes someone who is starting their own business independently?
Ahmet yeni bir şirket kurdu...
Starting a business is a classic example of 'kendi yolunda ilerlemek' (advancing on one's own path).
Match the Turkish phrase with its English equivalent.
1. Kendi yolumda 2. Kendi yolunda 3. Kendi yolumuzda
Matching possessive suffixes to English pronouns.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Neden herkes gibi doktor olmuyorsun?' Mehmet: 'Çünkü ben ressam olmak ve ___________ istiyorum.'
Mehmet is expressing his desire for an independent career path.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
Kendi Yolunda vs. Kendi Başına
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제Ben çok bağımsızım, her zaman ___________ giderim.
The subject is 'Ben' (I), so the possessive suffix must be '-um' (my).
Ahmet yeni bir şirket kurdu...
Starting a business is a classic example of 'kendi yolunda ilerlemek' (advancing on one's own path).
왼쪽의 각 항목을 오른쪽의 짝과 연결하세요:
Matching possessive suffixes to English pronouns.
Ayşe: 'Neden herkes gibi doktor olmuyorsun?' Mehmet: 'Çünkü ben ressam olmak ve ___________ istiyorum.'
Mehmet is expressing his desire for an independent career path.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, if you are literally on a road driving, just say 'Yoldayım' (I'm on the road). 'Kendi yolumdayım' sounds like you are making a philosophical statement about your life while driving.
Not usually. It's neutral to positive. However, if you say 'Sen kendi yoluna git!' (Go your own way!) with a harsh tone, it can mean 'Mind your own business' or 'Leave me alone'.
'Kendi başına' means 'alone' or 'by oneself'. 'Kendi yolunda' means following a specific personal direction or style. You can be 'kendi yolunda' even if you have a team, as long as the direction is yours.
You can say 'Kendi yolumda yapıyorum' or more commonly 'Kendi bildiğim gibi yapıyorum'.
Yes, very often to describe entrepreneurs or people who take unique career risks.
This is a different idiom. It means 'Everything is on track' or 'Everything is going well'. It does not use 'kendi'.
Yes, use 'kendi yolumuzda' (on our way) or 'kendi yollarında' (on their way).
Yes, 'burnunun dikine gitmek' is the negative version, implying someone is being foolishly stubborn.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in formal writing to describe individual autonomy or strategic paths.
It can, especially in Sufi contexts, but in daily life, it is 99% secular.
관련 표현
kendi başına
similarBy oneself / alone
kendi bildiğini okumak
similarTo do what one knows/wants
yolunu çizmek
builds onTo draw one's path
burnunun dikine gitmek
contrastTo go where one's nose points
ayrı yollara gitmek
similarTo go separate ways
