Meaning
Supporting and looking after someone
Cultural Background
In Anatolian culture, a guest is 'Tanrı misafiri' (God's guest). Extending 'kol kanat' to a stranger is seen as a religious and moral duty. Historically, the Ottoman Empire had thousands of foundations (vakıf) designed to 'kol kanat germek' to the poor, animals, and even birds. Classic Turkish movies often feature a 'Baba' (Father) figure or a 'Hulusi Kentmen' type character who 'kol kanat gerer' to the young lovers or the poor protagonist. The 'Abi/Abla' system in Turkish offices means that seniority comes with the expectation of protecting juniors from management pressure.
Use with the Dative
Always remember the '-e/-a' suffix on the person you are protecting. It's the most common mistake for B1 learners.
The 'Abi' Factor
If you want to sound like a local, use this when talking about your older brother or a mentor you respect.
Meaning
Supporting and looking after someone
Use with the Dative
Always remember the '-e/-a' suffix on the person you are protecting. It's the most common mistake for B1 learners.
The 'Abi' Factor
If you want to sound like a local, use this when talking about your older brother or a mentor you respect.
Don't Overuse
Save this for big emotional moments. Using it for small things makes you sound like a drama queen/king.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
Babası öldükten sonra amcası Ali'ye ______ ______ ______.
The standard form is 'kol kanat germek' in the past tense.
Which sentence uses the correct case for the person being protected?
Aşağıdaki cümlelerin hangisi doğrudur?
The idiom 'kol kanat germek' always takes the dative case (-e/-a).
Match the situation with the most appropriate use of the idiom.
Hangi durumda 'kol kanat germek' deyimi kullanılır?
This idiom implies a protective and supportive relationship, typical of mentorship.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Bu çocuk çok yalnız görünüyor. B: Korkma, öğretmeni ona ______ ______ ______.
The present continuous form 'geriyor' fits the context of an ongoing situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesBabası öldükten sonra amcası Ali'ye ______ ______ ______.
The standard form is 'kol kanat germek' in the past tense.
Aşağıdaki cümlelerin hangisi doğrudur?
The idiom 'kol kanat germek' always takes the dative case (-e/-a).
Hangi durumda 'kol kanat germek' deyimi kullanılır?
This idiom implies a protective and supportive relationship, typical of mentorship.
A: Bu çocuk çok yalnız görünüyor. B: Korkma, öğretmeni ona ______ ______ ______.
The present continuous form 'geriyor' fits the context of an ongoing situation.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is very common to use it for mother animals protecting their young, or for a human protecting a vulnerable animal.
Only if you have a very close, mentor-like relationship with the recipient. Otherwise, it's too emotional for standard business correspondence.
'Yardım etmek' is just 'to help'. 'Kol kanat germek' is to protect, shield, and take responsibility for someone's well-being.
Not at all. It is used daily in news, TV shows, and family conversations.
Yes. 'Kimse ona kol kanat germedi' (No one protected him) is a very sad and common sentence in literature.
Often, yes. It implies whatever help is needed—financial, emotional, or physical.
Yes, for example, a grown child protecting their elderly, frail parent.
The slang equivalent would be 'kollamak' or 'arka çıkmak'.
'Kol kanat gerecek birine ihtiyacım var.'
Yes, politicians often use it to promise protection for the poor or the working class.
Related Phrases
kanadı altına almak
synonymTo take under one's wing
arka çıkmak
similarTo back someone up
sahip çıkmak
similarTo claim/look after
göz kulak olmak
similarTo keep an eye on
köstek olmak
contrastTo hinder/be a clog
