Signification
Someone who knows all the news.
Contexte culturel
In Turkish neighborhoods, the 'bakkal' (grocer) is traditionally the person with the most 'kulağı delik' status. They know the credit, family issues, and news of everyone on the street. The phrase has roots in the Bektashi dervish tradition where an earring symbolized 'listening' to the master and the divine. In modern offices, being 'kulağı delik' is a survival skill. It's used to describe people who navigate the 'grapevine' effectively. Paparazzi and tabloid journalists are often described this way in headlines when they break a celebrity secret.
Use with 'Maşallah'
When someone tells you a secret they shouldn't know, say 'Maşallah, kulağın da pek delikmiş!' to sound very native.
Not for Medical Use
If you have an ear infection or a hole in your eardrum, use 'Kulak zarım delik' (My eardrum is punctured) instead.
Signification
Someone who knows all the news.
Use with 'Maşallah'
When someone tells you a secret they shouldn't know, say 'Maşallah, kulağın da pek delikmiş!' to sound very native.
Not for Medical Use
If you have an ear infection or a hole in your eardrum, use 'Kulak zarım delik' (My eardrum is punctured) instead.
The 'Insider' nuance
In business, use it to describe someone who has 'insider info' without being too accusatory.
The Barber Hub
In Turkey, if you want to be 'kulağı delik', go to a local barber and listen to the chatter.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
Ayşe her şeyi biliyor, onun ______ ______.
Kulağı delik is the correct idiom for someone who knows all the news.
Which situation best fits the phrase 'Kulağı delik'?
A person who...
The idiom refers to being well-informed about news or secrets.
Complete the dialogue.
Ahmet: 'Müdürün yeni arabasını gördün mü?' Mehmet: 'Evet, hatta rengini bile biliyordum. Benim ______ ______.'
Mehmet is boasting about being well-informed.
Match the idiom with its meaning.
1. Kulağı delik 2. Ağzı sıkı 3. Gözü açık
These are common Turkish idioms describing personality traits.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Who is Kulağı Delik?
Social
- • The Nosy Neighbor
- • The Office Connector
Professional
- • The Journalist
- • The Political Insider
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesAyşe her şeyi biliyor, onun ______ ______.
Kulağı delik is the correct idiom for someone who knows all the news.
A person who...
The idiom refers to being well-informed about news or secrets.
Ahmet: 'Müdürün yeni arabasını gördün mü?' Mehmet: 'Evet, hatta rengini bile biliyordum. Benim ______ ______.'
Mehmet is boasting about being well-informed.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are common Turkish idioms describing personality traits.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot necessarily, but it often implies they *know* the gossip. Whether they share it or not is a different matter.
Yes! 'Benim kulağım deliktir' is a common way to say 'I'm in the loop'.
No, it's generally lighthearted. However, don't use it for a boss who is trying to be very professional.
Kulağı delikler (Those who are well-informed).
Usually, it's for social news or secrets, not general facts like the weather.
You can use 'Güncel olaylardan haberdar' (Informed about current events).
No, that would be 'Müzik kulağı olmak'.
Only if the cat literally has a hole in its ear. Idioms are usually for humans.
Yes, it is a universal Turkish idiom.
You can say 'Dünyadan haberim yok' (I have no news from the world).
Expressions liées
Kulağına küpe olmak
similarTo take a lesson from something
Haberdar olmak
synonymTo be informed
Ağzı sıkı
contrastTight-lipped
Can kulağıyla dinlemek
builds onTo listen very carefully
Kulağı kirişte
specialized formOn high alert for news
