Meaning
To feel a sudden spark of sadness.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Merhamet' (mercy) is central to Turkish social fabric. People often feel a collective responsibility for 'garibanlar' (the poor/unfortunate). Yeşilçam movies (1960s-70s) heavily utilized scenes of innocent suffering to trigger this exact feeling in the audience. In big cities like Istanbul, the contrast between extreme wealth and poverty often leads people to use this phrase daily. Authors like Sabahattin Ali use this idiom to describe the internal moral compass of their characters.
Use it for Empathy
Always use this when you want to show you are a compassionate person. It's a very positive trait in Turkey.
Possessive Suffixes
Don't forget to change 'yüreği' to 'yüreğim' if it's YOUR heart. This is the most common learner mistake.
Meaning
To feel a sudden spark of sadness.
Use it for Empathy
Always use this when you want to show you are a compassionate person. It's a very positive trait in Turkey.
Possessive Suffixes
Don't forget to change 'yüreği' to 'yüreğim' if it's YOUR heart. This is the most common learner mistake.
The 'İçim' Alternative
If you find 'yüreğim' hard to pronounce, use 'İçim cız etti.' It's easier and just as natural!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'yüreği cız etmek' based on the subject.
Sokaktaki yaşlı kadını o halde görünce ________ (benim).
Since the subject is 'ben' (implied by 'benim'), 'yürek' takes the '-im' suffix and 'etmek' becomes 'etti'.
Which situation is most appropriate for 'yüreği cız etmek'?
Hangi durumda bu deyimi kullanırız?
The idiom is used for empathy and pity when witnessing someone else's sadness.
Match the subject with the correct phrase.
Eşleştiriniz:
These are the correct possessive matches.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Dün akşamki belgeseli izledin mi? B: Evet, o yetim çocukları görünce ________.
Seeing orphans in a documentary is a classic 'yüreği cız etmek' moment.
Match the idiom to the feeling.
Deyim ve Duygu Eşleştirmesi:
Each idiom corresponds to a specific emotional state.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
5 exercisesSokaktaki yaşlı kadını o halde görünce ________ (benim).
Since the subject is 'ben' (implied by 'benim'), 'yürek' takes the '-im' suffix and 'etmek' becomes 'etti'.
Hangi durumda bu deyimi kullanırız?
The idiom is used for empathy and pity when witnessing someone else's sadness.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the correct possessive matches.
A: Dün akşamki belgeseli izledin mi? B: Evet, o yetim çocukları görünce ________.
Seeing orphans in a documentary is a classic 'yüreği cız etmek' moment.
Deyim ve Duygu Eşleştirmesi:
Each idiom corresponds to a specific emotional state.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, 'cız etmek' is only for sadness or pity. For romantic feelings, use 'kalbi çarpmak' or 'vurulmak'.
It's a bit too emotional for a standard business email, but fine if you are writing to a colleague about a sad personal event.
'Cız' is a sudden spark; 'sızlamak' is a continuous ache.
Yes, but 'yürek' is used more in idioms and folk language, while 'kalp' is more common in medical or modern contexts.
Related Phrases
içi parçalanmak
similarTo have one's heart torn to pieces.
yüreği sızlamak
synonymTo have one's heart ache.
yüreği yanmak
builds onTo have one's heart burn.
yufka yürekli
specialized formTender-hearted.
