Meaning
Acting as if one is superior to others.
Cultural Background
In Turkey, making eye contact and offering a 'Selam' (greeting) is vital. Failing to do so, especially if you are in a higher position, is the quickest way to be labeled 'burnu havada'. The concept of 'Kibir' (arrogance) was heavily preached against in Ottoman moral education (Adab). The physical act of holding the head high was associated with the 'Firavun' (Pharaoh) archetype in religious stories. Turkish dramas often use this idiom to create a clear divide between the 'villainous elite' and the 'noble poor'. It's a key character-building phrase in scripts. There is a saying: 'Ağaç meyve verdikçe dalını yere eğer' (As a tree bears fruit, it bends its branch to the ground). This is the cultural opposite of having one's 'burnu havada'.
The 'U' Drop
Always remember to drop the 'u' in 'burun'. Saying 'burunu havada' is a dead giveaway that you are a beginner.
Social Risk
Calling someone 'burnu havada' to their face is a direct insult. Use it only when talking *about* someone, not *to* them, unless you want a fight.
Meaning
Acting as if one is superior to others.
The 'U' Drop
Always remember to drop the 'u' in 'burun'. Saying 'burunu havada' is a dead giveaway that you are a beginner.
Social Risk
Calling someone 'burnu havada' to their face is a direct insult. Use it only when talking *about* someone, not *to* them, unless you want a fight.
The Look
This idiom is often accompanied by a physical gesture: tilting the head back and looking down the nose. If you see someone doing this in Turkey, you know exactly what phrase to use.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'burun' and 'olmak'.
O kadar zengin oldu ki artık hepimizin karşısında ______ ______ ______.
We need the vowel-dropped form 'burnu' and the past tense 'oldu' to show a completed change.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly to describe a snobby person?
Aşağıdaki cümlelerin hangisinde deyim doğru kullanılmıştır?
'Kibirli' (arrogant) is the correct context for 'burnu havada'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Yeni komşumuzla tanıştın mı? B: Evet, ama pek sevmedim. ______.
This is a natural way to express a first impression of someone who seems arrogant.
Match the person to the description.
Who is most likely to have their 'burnu havada'?
Refusing to speak to those in service roles is a classic 'burnu havada' behavior.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesO kadar zengin oldu ki artık hepimizin karşısında ______ ______ ______.
We need the vowel-dropped form 'burnu' and the past tense 'oldu' to show a completed change.
Aşağıdaki cümlelerin hangisinde deyim doğru kullanılmıştır?
'Kibirli' (arrogant) is the correct context for 'burnu havada'.
A: Yeni komşumuzla tanıştın mı? B: Evet, ama pek sevmedim. ______.
This is a natural way to express a first impression of someone who seems arrogant.
Who is most likely to have their 'burnu havada'?
Refusing to speak to those in service roles is a classic 'burnu havada' behavior.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is always a negative criticism. There is no positive way to use this phrase.
Only sarcastically. For example, 'Bugün çok şıkım, burnum biraz havada olabilir.'
'Kibirli' is a formal adjective. 'Burnu havada' is a more colorful, idiomatic way to say the same thing in daily life.
You can say 'Burnu havada değil' or 'Çok alçakgönüllü'.
Yes, if a child is acting spoiled and superior to their peers, you can use it.
Informally among colleagues, yes. In formal meetings, no.
The most common opposite is 'alçakgönüllü' (humble).
No, it is only used for people or groups of people (like a company or a club).
Very common! Many pop songs use it to describe an ex-lover who thinks they are too good for the singer.
In this context, 'hava' means 'air'. So it's 'nose in the air'.
Related Phrases
Burnu Kafdağı'nda olmak
specialized formTo be extremely arrogant.
Kendini beğenmiş
synonymConceited.
Tepeden bakmak
similarTo look down on someone.
Alçakgönüllü olmak
contrastTo be humble.
Burnundan kıl aldırmamak
similarTo be very touchy or proud.
