Meaning
Arriving before the scheduled time.
Cultural Background
Arriving early to a 'Xonça' (engagement gift ceremony) is expected of the groom's side to show eagerness. In Baku's corporate world, 'tez gəlmək' is a sign of reliability and is often rewarded with trust. Returning 'tez' from the field often signals the end of a harvest or an approaching weather change. Arriving early to a dinner party (qonaqlıq) can be awkward as the host might still be in 'ev paltarı' (house clothes).
The 'Amma' Rule
If you arrive early but the other person is late, use 'Mən tez gəldim, amma o gecikdi'.
Social Earliness
Don't arrive more than 5 minutes early to an Azerbaijani home; it's considered polite to be exactly on time or slightly late.
Meaning
Arriving before the scheduled time.
The 'Amma' Rule
If you arrive early but the other person is late, use 'Mən tez gəldim, amma o gecikdi'.
Social Earliness
Don't arrive more than 5 minutes early to an Azerbaijani home; it's considered polite to be exactly on time or slightly late.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'tez gəlmək'.
Mən bu gün işə 10 dəqiqə ____.
The context implies earliness, and 'tez gəldim' is the first person past tense.
Which sentence means 'He always arrives early'?
Choose the correct sentence:
'Tez gəlir' means arrives early; 'gecikir' means is late; 'sürətlə gəlir' means comes fast.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Qatar saat neçədə çatdı? B: Saat 5-də çatmalı idi, amma ____.
The 'amma' (but) suggests a deviation from the schedule, and 'tez gəldi' fits an early arrival.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesMən bu gün işə 10 dəqiqə ____.
The context implies earliness, and 'tez gəldim' is the first person past tense.
Choose the correct sentence:
'Tez gəlir' means arrives early; 'gecikir' means is late; 'sürətlə gəlir' means comes fast.
A: Qatar saat neçədə çatdı? B: Saat 5-də çatmalı idi, amma ____.
The 'amma' (but) suggests a deviation from the schedule, and 'tez gəldi' fits an early arrival.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
2 questionsNo, it can also mean 'fast' or 'soon' depending on the verb. With 'gəlmək', it usually means early.
'Erkən' is more formal and literary. 'Tez' is much more common in daily speech.
Related Phrases
Gecikmək
contrastTo be late
Vaxtında gəlmək
similarTo arrive on time
Tez-tez
builds onFrequently / Often
