B1 Idiom Informal

yüzsüzlük yapmak

to have the nerve

Meaning

Acting in a shameless way

🌍

Cultural Background

The concept of 'yüz' (face) is the foundation of Turkish social ethics. Blushing (yüzü kızarmak) is seen as a sign of a good heart and a functioning conscience. In many neighboring cultures, public shame is a stronger deterrent than private guilt. 'Yüzsüzlük' is seen as a defiance of the community's moral standards. In the era of social media, 'yüzsüzlük' is often used to describe 'clout chasing' or influencers who ignore their scandals to keep their engagement high. In Turkish business, 'yüzsüzlük' can refer to aggressive sales tactics or clients who demand endless revisions without paying.

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Strong Language

Calling someone 'yüzsüz' is a direct attack on their character. Use it only when you are truly angry or the situation warrants it.

🎯

The 'Pes' Combo

Native speakers often start the sentence with 'Pes!' (Unbelievable!) before saying 'Bu kadar da yüzsüzlük olmaz!'

Meaning

Acting in a shameless way

⚠️

Strong Language

Calling someone 'yüzsüz' is a direct attack on their character. Use it only when you are truly angry or the situation warrants it.

🎯

The 'Pes' Combo

Native speakers often start the sentence with 'Pes!' (Unbelievable!) before saying 'Bu kadar da yüzsüzlük olmaz!'

💬

The Blushing Rule

If you want to say someone *should* be ashamed, you can say 'Yüzün de mi kızarmıyor?' (Doesn't your face even turn red?)

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.

Bana yalan söyledikten sonra hala benden yardım istemen tam bir __________.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: yüzsüzlük

We need the noun 'yüzsüzlük' to complete the phrase 'tam bir...' (a total...).

Which situation best describes 'yüzsüzlük yapmak'?

Aşağıdaki durumlardan hangisi 'yüzsüzlük yapmak' deyimine uygundur?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Birinin borcunu ödemeyip üstüne tekrar borç istemesi.

Asking for more money while not paying back the previous debt is a classic example of shameless behavior.

Complete the dialogue.

Ahmet: 'Seni partiye davet etmedim ama yine de gelmişsin.' Mehmet: 'Evet, pasta çok güzel görünüyor.' Ahmet: 'Gerçekten __________.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: yüzsüzlük yapıyorsun

Showing up uninvited and focusing on the food is shameless behavior.

Match the response to the situation.

Situation: Someone stole your sandwich and is now asking for your drink.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Yüzsüzlük yapma da sandviçimi geri ver!

The imperative 'Yüzsüzlük yapma' is the natural response to such audacity.

🎉 Score: /4

Visual Learning Aids

Practice Bank

4 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom. Fill Blank B1

Bana yalan söyledikten sonra hala benden yardım istemen tam bir __________.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: yüzsüzlük

We need the noun 'yüzsüzlük' to complete the phrase 'tam bir...' (a total...).

Which situation best describes 'yüzsüzlük yapmak'? Choose B1

Aşağıdaki durumlardan hangisi 'yüzsüzlük yapmak' deyimine uygundur?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Birinin borcunu ödemeyip üstüne tekrar borç istemesi.

Asking for more money while not paying back the previous debt is a classic example of shameless behavior.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

Ahmet: 'Seni partiye davet etmedim ama yine de gelmişsin.' Mehmet: 'Evet, pasta çok güzel görünüyor.' Ahmet: 'Gerçekten __________.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: yüzsüzlük yapıyorsun

Showing up uninvited and focusing on the food is shameless behavior.

Match the response to the situation. situation_matching B1

Situation: Someone stole your sandwich and is now asking for your drink.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Yüzsüzlük yapma da sandviçimi geri ver!

The imperative 'Yüzsüzlük yapma' is the natural response to such audacity.

🎉 Score: /4

Frequently Asked Questions

6 questions

No, it's not a swear word, but it is a very strong insult. It's safe to use in movies or books, but use it carefully in real life.

It's better to use 'arsızlık' for children. 'Yüzsüzlük' sounds a bit too heavy for a kid's behavior.

The opposite would be 'mahcup' (embarrassed/modest) or 'onurlu' (honorable).

You can say 'Ne yüzle bunu söylüyorsun?' (With what face are you saying this?) or 'Büyük yüzsüzlük!'

Yes, to describe unethical competitors or clients who don't pay but keep demanding work.

Yes, if you are asking for a big favor, you can say 'Yüzsüzlük yapıp bir şey daha isteyeceğim...' (I'm going to be shameless and ask for one more thing...). This softens the request.

Related Phrases

🔗

pişkinlik yapmak

similar

To act cheeky or unbothered after a mistake.

🔄

arsızlık etmek

synonym

To be impudent or greedy.

🔗

yüzü kızarmamak

similar

To not feel any shame (literally: face not turning red).

🔗

zeytinyağı gibi üste çıkmak

builds on

To try to act innocent/superior when you are actually guilty.

🔗

yüz bulmak

contrast

To be encouraged by someone's kindness to act spoiled.

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