Meaning
To make someone lose their ability to think clearly.
Cultural Background
This idiom is a favorite of songwriters like Tarkan and Sezen Aksu. It captures the 'sturm und drang' of Turkish romance. In the Divan tradition, the 'akıl' was seen as a barrier to true divine or romantic love. Taking the mind away was a step toward spiritual enlightenment. Using this phrase for a meal is the highest praise for a Turkish 'ev hanımı' (housewife) or chef. On Instagram, Turkish users use the hashtag #aklımıbaşımdanalanlar for breathtaking travel photos.
The 'Wow' Factor
Use this when you want to sound more passionate than just saying 'çok güzel' (very beautiful).
Possessive Trap
Always check your possessives! If you say 'Aklını başımdan aldı', Turks will be very confused whose mind went where.
Meaning
To make someone lose their ability to think clearly.
The 'Wow' Factor
Use this when you want to sound more passionate than just saying 'çok güzel' (very beautiful).
Possessive Trap
Always check your possessives! If you say 'Aklını başımdan aldı', Turks will be very confused whose mind went where.
Song Lyrics
Listen to Tarkan's 'Şımarık'. It's full of this kind of emotional language.
Complimenting
If someone cooks for you, saying this will make them very happy. It's the ultimate 'thank you'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blanks with the correct possessive forms.
Senin bu başarın benim akl____ baş____dan aldı.
Since the speaker says 'benim' (my), the suffixes must be 1st person singular.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to describe a romantic situation?
Aşağıdakilerden hangisi doğrudur?
Option A is the standard usage. Option B means 'to pull oneself together', which is the opposite.
Match the situation to the most likely use of the idiom.
Bir arkadaşınız çok lüks bir spor araba almış. Ne dersiniz?
This expresses being dazzled by the car's performance.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Dünkü konseri nasıl buldun?' Mehmet: 'Harikaydı! Solistin sesi ________.'
The context of a 'wonderful' concert requires an idiom of admiration.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesSenin bu başarın benim akl____ baş____dan aldı.
Since the speaker says 'benim' (my), the suffixes must be 1st person singular.
Aşağıdakilerden hangisi doğrudur?
Option A is the standard usage. Option B means 'to pull oneself together', which is the opposite.
Bir arkadaşınız çok lüks bir spor araba almış. Ne dersiniz?
This expresses being dazzled by the car's performance.
Ayşe: 'Dünkü konseri nasıl buldun?' Mehmet: 'Harikaydı! Solistin sesi ________.'
The context of a 'wonderful' concert requires an idiom of admiration.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, but it's less common. It usually means being paralyzed by shock or fear.
No, it's too emotional. Use 'Beni çok etkiledi' (It impressed me a lot) instead.
'Aklım gitti' is more about a sudden scare or a short moment of forgetting. 'Aklımı başımdan aldı' is more about being overwhelmed by something external.
Yes, the idiom is a fixed phrase. You cannot say 'aklını aldı' alone and mean the same thing.
Related Phrases
başını döndürmek
similarTo make someone's head spin
hayran kalmak
similarTo be an admirer of
aklı başından gitmek
synonymOne's mind leaving one's head
aklına koymak
contrastTo set one's mind on something
aklı bir karış havada olmak
builds onTo have one's head in the clouds
