Meaning
To be someone whose opinion is respected and followed.
Cultural Background
In many Turkish companies, the 'sözü geçen' person is often a long-time employee who has a personal bond with the owner, regardless of their official title. The 'İhtiyar Heyeti' (Council of Elders) is a group where the oldest and wisest members' 'sözü geçer' to resolve local conflicts. While traditionally patriarchal, in many modern Turkish households, the mother is the one whose 'sözü geçer' regarding daily life and education. The phrase is frequently used in political commentary to describe 'shadow' figures or powerful advisors who influence the leaders.
The Power of the Aorist
Use the aorist form 'geçer' to describe a permanent state of authority. Use the past tense 'geçti' for a specific instance where someone's word was followed.
Don't be Bossy
Saying 'Burada benim sözüm geçer' can sound very aggressive or arrogant. Use it carefully!
Meaning
To be someone whose opinion is respected and followed.
The Power of the Aorist
Use the aorist form 'geçer' to describe a permanent state of authority. Use the past tense 'geçti' for a specific instance where someone's word was followed.
Don't be Bossy
Saying 'Burada benim sözüm geçer' can sound very aggressive or arrogant. Use it carefully!
The 'Mentioned' Meaning
If you hear 'Senin de sözün geçti' in a friendly context, don't worry about power—it just means they were talking about you nicely!
Respect the Elders
In Turkey, even if a young person is the boss, they will often say 'Büyüklerimizin sözü geçer' out of respect for elders.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blanks with the correct possessive form of 'söz'.
Bu evde sadece annemin ______ geçer.
Since the subject is 'annem' (my mother), we use the 3rd person singular possessive suffix '-ü'.
Which sentence means 'I have no influence in this company'?
Şirkette...
The negative form 'geçmez' indicates a lack of influence.
Match the sentence to the most likely situation.
A: 'Dünkü toplantıda senin de sözün geçti.'
In this context, it means the person's name was brought up during the meeting.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Ahmet: 'Patronla konuşup zam istesem mi?' Mehmet: 'Bence önce müdürle konuş, patronun yanında onun ______ ______.'
Mehmet is advising Ahmet to talk to the manager because the manager has influence over the boss.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs. Informal Authority
Practice Bank
4 exercisesBu evde sadece annemin ______ geçer.
Since the subject is 'annem' (my mother), we use the 3rd person singular possessive suffix '-ü'.
Şirkette...
The negative form 'geçmez' indicates a lack of influence.
A: 'Dünkü toplantıda senin de sözün geçti.'
In this context, it means the person's name was brought up during the meeting.
Ahmet: 'Patronla konuşup zam istesem mi?' Mehmet: 'Bence önce müdürle konuş, patronun yanında onun ______ ______.'
Mehmet is advising Ahmet to talk to the manager because the manager has influence over the boss.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes! You can say 'Burada kanunların sözü geçer' (The laws have the say here).
Very similar, but 'söz sahibi olmak' is more formal and implies a legal or official right to have a say.
The negative is 'sözü geçmemek'. For example: 'Onun burada sözü geçmez.'
Not really, unless you are being very metaphorical about a 'leader of the pack'.
No, it can also mean 'to be mentioned' in a conversation, though the 'influence' meaning is more common as an idiom.
You can say 'Benim de sözüm geçsin istiyorum.'
It's not exactly a swear word, but it is very informal and can be seen as disrespectful or mocking.
You can, but be careful. Modern couples usually prefer 'ortak karar vermek' (deciding together).
The person takes the genitive case (benim, senin, onun, müdürün).
Yes, very frequently to describe who has the final decision-making power.
Yes: 'Gelecekte onun sözü geçecek.' (In the future, he will have the say).
Yes. 'Sözü dinlenmek' implies people listen because they respect you; 'sözü geçmek' implies people listen because you have the power/authority.
Related Phrases
söz sahibi olmak
synonymTo have a say/authority
borusu ötmek
synonymTo be the boss (informal)
sözünü dinletmek
similarTo make others listen to one's word
sözü dinlenmek
similarTo be a respected person whose advice is taken
sözü kesmek
contrastTo interrupt
hükmü geçmek
specialized formFor one's decree/rule to be valid
