Meaning
Stating a minor illness.
Cultural Background
The response 'Geçmiş olsun' is essential. It literally means 'May it be past.' It is used for any misfortune, including illness. Chicken soup (Tavuk suyu çorbası) or Lentil soup (Mercimek çorbası) with lots of lemon is the universal Turkish cure for being 'biraz hasta'. The 'Evil Eye' (Nazar). Sometimes people downplay their health to avoid attracting bad luck. Cologne (Kolonya). If you say you are sick, someone might offer you lemon cologne to refresh you.
The 'y' Buffer
Always remember the 'y' after 'hasta' before adding '-ım'. Without it, 'hastaım' is impossible to pronounce in Turkish.
Always say 'Geçmiş Olsun'
If someone says this to you, and you don't respond with 'Geçmiş olsun', it's a major social faux pas.
Meaning
Stating a minor illness.
The 'y' Buffer
Always remember the 'y' after 'hasta' before adding '-ım'. Without it, 'hastaım' is impossible to pronounce in Turkish.
Always say 'Geçmiş Olsun'
If someone says this to you, and you don't respond with 'Geçmiş olsun', it's a major social faux pas.
Use it for excuses
It's the most polite way to say 'no' to social plans in Turkey without hurting feelings.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'to be' for 'I'.
Bugün biraz hasta___.
The suffix for 'I am' after a vowel is '-yım'.
Which sentence means 'I am a little sick'?
Select the correct option:
'Biraz' is the correct word for 'a little' in this context.
Complete the dialogue.
Ahmet: 'Nasılsın?' Can: '______'
This is a logical response to 'How are you?'
Match the phrase to the situation.
You have a slight cold and can't go to a party.
This phrase explains your absence politely.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesBugün biraz hasta___.
The suffix for 'I am' after a vowel is '-yım'.
Select the correct option:
'Biraz' is the correct word for 'a little' in this context.
Ahmet: 'Nasılsın?' Can: '______'
This is a logical response to 'How are you?'
You have a slight cold and can't go to a party.
This phrase explains your absence politely.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it's very common to use 'hastayım' for general fatigue, though 'yorgunum' is more specific.
No, you can just say 'Hastayım', but 'biraz' makes it sound less alarming and more natural in casual conversation.
You say 'Biraz hastaydım'.
Yes, it's perfectly acceptable for professional contexts.
'Rahatsızım' is more formal and can also mean 'I am being disturbed'.
No, the '-ım' at the end already tells the listener you are talking about yourself.
Always say 'Geçmiş olsun'.
Usually, people use 'Keyfim yok' or 'Moralim bozuk' for mental health, but 'Biraz hastayım' can be a safe cover.
No, 'biraz' always means 'a little'. For 'very', use 'çok'.
You say 'Hasta mısın?'
Related Phrases
Geçmiş olsun
similarGet well soon
Şifayı kapmak
synonymTo catch a cold
Yatak döşek yatmak
contrastTo be bedridden
Keyifsiz olmak
similarTo be out of sorts
Üşütmek
specialized formTo catch a chill
