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A2 verb 10 min read

dolaşmak

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips dolaşmak in 30 Seconds

Explanation dolaşmak in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'dolaşmak' is introduced as a basic verb for movement. You use it to talk about simple activities like walking in a park or a mall. The focus is on the present continuous tense ('dolaşıyorum') and the locative case ('-de/-da'). Learners at this stage should understand that 'dolaşmak' is different from 'gitmek' (to go) because it doesn't have a specific destination. It's about being 'in' a place and moving around. Simple sentences like 'Parkta dolaşıyorum' (I am wandering in the park) are the building blocks. You might also learn it in the context of pets, like 'Köpekle dolaşıyorum' (I am wandering with the dog), although the more correct 'dolaştırıyorum' comes slightly later. The primary goal is to distinguish it from a purposeful walk to a destination.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'dolaşmak' in more varied tenses, such as the past tense ('dolaştım') and the future tense ('dolaşacağım'). You also begin to see the difference between 'dolaşmak' and 'gezmek' (to travel/sightsee). You learn that 'dolaşmak' is great for describing casual, everyday activities. For example, 'Dün çarşıda çok dolaştık' (We wandered in the market a lot yesterday). You also encounter the causative form 'dolaştırmak' for walking a dog or showing someone around. This level emphasizes the locative case endings and the basic social utility of the word. You might use it to describe your weekend plans or a past holiday where you just walked around a city without a plan.

At the B1 level, the metaphorical and technical uses of 'dolaşmak' become important. You learn about 'kan dolaşımı' (blood circulation) and how the verb describes the flow of things through a system. You also start using it to talk about rumors or news 'circulating' in a group. This is where the word transitions from a simple physical action to a more abstract concept. You might use it in sentences like 'İnternette pek çok yanlış bilgi dolaşıyor' (A lot of wrong information is circulating on the internet). Grammatically, you are expected to handle complex sentence structures, like using 'dolaşmak' in subordinate clauses ('Dolaşırken arkadaşımı gördüm' - I saw my friend while wandering).

At the B2 level, you master the nuances of 'dolaşmak' in idiomatic expressions and more formal registers. You understand phrases like 'dili dolaşmak' (to be tongue-tied or slur speech) and 'ayağına dolaşmak' (to get in one's way or backfire). You can use the verb to describe complex social dynamics or the way a conversation is 'wandering' off topic ('lafı dolaştırmak'). At this stage, you should be able to choose between 'dolaşmak', 'gezinmek', and 'tur atmak' based on the specific context and desired tone. Your use of the verb becomes more precise, reflecting an understanding of its physical, metaphorical, and idiomatic layers.

At the C1 level, 'dolaşmak' is used with high fluency in academic, literary, and professional contexts. You might use it to describe the circulation of capital in an economy or the way a motif 'wanders' through a piece of literature. You are comfortable with the passive voice ('dolaşılmak') and can use the verb to create sophisticated imagery. For example, describing how a scent 'dolaşıyor' through a house to evoke a specific mood. You also understand the historical etymology of the word and its relationship to other Turkic roots, allowing you to appreciate its place in the broader linguistic landscape. Your speech and writing use 'dolaşmak' to add texture and movement to your descriptions.

At the C2 level, your command of 'dolaşmak' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. You use it effortlessly in puns, high-level rhetoric, and complex philosophical discussions. You might use it to describe the 'wandering' of the soul or the intricate 'circulation' of power in a political system. You have a deep intuitive grasp of all its idiomatic forms and can even invent new metaphorical uses that feel natural to native ears. You can analyze the subtle differences in meaning between 'dolaşmak' and its rarest synonyms in classical Turkish literature. For you, the word is not just a verb but a versatile tool for expressing the fluid, interconnected nature of movement and thought.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

dolaşmak in 30 Seconds

Primarily means to wander, stroll, or roam aimlessly.
Used for blood circulation and the spread of rumors.
Describes physical entanglement (tangled hair or rope).
Commonly used with the locative case (-de/-da) for the area.

The Turkish verb dolaşmak is a multifaceted gem in the language's vocabulary, primarily serving to describe movement that is non-linear, circular, or lacking a strict destination. At its core, it translates to 'to wander', 'to stroll', or 'to roam'. However, its utility extends far beyond a simple walk in the park. In Turkish culture, movement is often viewed through the lens of experience rather than just displacement, and dolaşmak captures this perfectly. It is the verb you use when you are exploring a new city without a map, browsing through the aisles of a grand bazaar, or simply letting your mind drift through various thoughts. It implies a sense of freedom and leisure that more clinical verbs like yürümek (to walk) or gitmek (to go) lack.

Physical Wandering: The most common use involves walking around an area. For example, 'Sokaklarda dolaştık' means 'We wandered the streets'. This suggests a leisurely pace and an observant eye.

Boş zamanlarımda ormanda dolaşmak beni çok rahatlatıyor.

Biological and Scientific Context: In a more technical sense, it refers to circulation. 'Kan dolaşımı' is the Turkish term for blood circulation. Here, the verb describes the continuous, looped movement of blood through the body.

Furthermore, dolaşmak is used metaphorically for rumors or information spreading through a community. If a piece of gossip is 'dolaşıyor', it is moving from person to person, much like a person wandering from street to street. It can also describe the state of being tangled; for instance, if your hair is messy or your fishing line is knotted, you would use a derivative of this verb to explain the entanglement. This duality—between free movement and being caught up—is a fascinating aspect of the word's semantic range. Whether you are talking about a tourist in Istanbul, the oxygen in your veins, or a rumor in the office, dolaşmak provides the linguistic framework to describe that fluid, pervasive motion.

Şehirde yeni bir dedikodu dolaşıyor, duydun mu?

The 'Tangled' Nuance: When something becomes 'dolaşık', it means it is knotted or tangled. This is a common frustration with headphones or long hair, showing the verb's versatility in describing physical states.

Saçlarım rüzgardan iyice dolaşmış.

Using dolaşmak correctly requires an understanding of Turkish case endings, particularly the locative (-de/-da) and sometimes the dative (-e/-a) or accusative (-i/-ı). Most frequently, you will see it paired with the locative case to indicate the area where the wandering is taking place. For instance, 'Parkta dolaşıyorum' (I am wandering in the park). The locative suffix '-ta' tells us the location of the action. This is the most straightforward way to use the verb and is perfect for A2 learners who are just getting comfortable with spatial descriptions.

Bütün gün çarşıda dolaştık ama hiçbir şey almadık.

Transitive Usage: When you want to say you have 'toured' or 'traveled around' an entire place, you use the accusative case. 'Dünyayı dolaşmak' means 'to travel around the world'. Here, the world is the direct object that is being 'wandered through' entirely.

Another important grammatical structure involves the causative form: dolaştırmak. This means 'to make someone/something wander' or 'to walk (a pet)'. If you take your dog for a walk, you are 'köpeği dolaştırıyorsun'. This is a very common daily usage. It can also be used figuratively, such as 'konuyu dolaştırmak', which means to beat around the bush or make a topic more complicated than it needs to be by 'wandering' around the main point.

Lütfen lafı dolaştırma, sadede gel.

The Passive Voice: The passive form 'dolaşılmak' is less common but used in phrases like 'bu yollarda çok dolaşıldı' (these roads have been wandered a lot), often found in poetic or nostalgic contexts.

In terms of tense, dolaşmak is often used in the continuous (-yor) or aorist (-ar/-er) tenses. 'Her akşam sahilde dolaşırım' (I wander/stroll on the beach every evening) uses the aorist to describe a habit. 'Dün sahilde dolaşıyordum' (I was wandering on the beach yesterday) uses the past continuous to set a scene. Mastery of these tenses allows you to describe your routines and past experiences with the vividness that native speakers appreciate.

Müzede saatlerce dolaşabilirim.

In everyday Turkish life, dolaşmak is ubiquitous. You will hear it most frequently in social contexts. When friends meet up in a lively district like Kadıköy or Beşiktaş, one might ask, 'Biraz dolaşalım mı?' (Shall we wander around a bit?). This is the standard invitation for a casual stroll, window shopping, or just enjoying the atmosphere of the city. It carries no pressure—no specific shop to visit, no specific errand to run. It is the linguistic equivalent of 'hanging out' while moving.

The Shopping Mall Culture: Turkey has a massive 'AVM' (shopping mall) culture. You will often hear people say they spent their weekend 'AVM'de dolaşarak' (by wandering in the mall). It implies looking at windows and soaking in the air conditioning rather than targeted buying.

Hafta sonu arkadaşlarla Taksim'de dolaştık.

In a medical or health context, doctors and fitness enthusiasts use dolaşmak to discuss the circulatory system. If you have cold hands, someone might say 'Kan dolaşımın zayıf' (Your blood circulation is weak). This transition from casual street slang to medical terminology shows the word's importance. Furthermore, in the digital age, 'dolaşmak' has found a home in web navigation. To 'browse' the internet is often described as 'internette dolaşmak', capturing the non-linear way we move from link to link.

The News and Media: News anchors often use the term when reporting on events that are spreading. 'Sosyal medyada dolaşan görüntüler' (Images circulating on social media) is a phrase you will hear daily on the news.

Lastly, you'll hear it in domestic settings. A mother might tell her child, 'Mutfakta dolaşma, ayak altındasın!' (Don't wander in the kitchen, you're underfoot!). Here, the word takes on a slightly negative connotation of being in the way. It’s also used when someone is lost or looking for something: 'Yarım saattir aynı yerde dolaşıp duruyoruz' (We've been wandering around the same place for half an hour). This breadth of usage makes it one of the top 500 most useful verbs for any learner.

İnternette boş boş dolaşma, ödevini yap.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is confusing dolaşmak with gezmek. While they are synonyms, gezmek often implies a more organized trip or 'visiting' a place for sightseeing. If you say 'İstanbul'u gezdim', it sounds like you visited the landmarks. If you say 'İstanbul'da dolaştım', it sounds like you walked around the streets aimlessly. Using dolaşmak when you mean a formal tour can make you sound less precise.

Confusion with 'Yürümek': Learners often use 'yürümek' (to walk) for everything. However, 'yürümek' is a physical action (putting one foot in front of the other), whereas 'dolaşmak' is about the purpose and pattern of the movement. You walk (yürümek) to get to the store, but you wander (dolaşmak) in the store.

Yanlış: İşe gitmek için parkta dolaşıyorum. (Wrong: I am wandering in the park to go to work.)

Another common pitfall involves the use of case endings. As mentioned, 'dolaşmak' usually takes the locative (-de). A common mistake is using the dative (-e) as if you are going *to* a place. For example, saying 'Parka dolaşıyorum' is incorrect; it should be 'Parkta dolaşıyorum'. The dative case (-e) implies a destination, but 'dolaşmak' by definition is destination-less or happens *within* an area. Only use the accusative (-i) when you mean you have covered the entire extent of a place, like 'tüm şehri dolaştım'.

The 'Tangled' Confusion: Sometimes learners use 'dolaşmak' to mean 'to get lost'. While wandering can lead to getting lost, the word for being lost is 'kaybolmak'. If you say 'Yolda dolaştım', it means you wandered on the road, not that you lost your way.

Lastly, be careful with the causative dolaştırmak. English speakers often forget the direct object marker. You must say 'Köpeği dolaştırıyorum' (I am walking the dog), not 'Köpek dolaştırıyorum'. The dog is the specific object receiving the action. Forgetting that '-i' suffix is a hallmark of an intermediate learner who hasn't yet mastered Turkish transitivity.

Doğru: Bütün gün ayaklarım dolaştı (I'm exhausted/stumbling), ama 'yollar dolaştı' denmez.

To truly sound like a native, you need to know when to swap dolaşmak for its cousins. The most prominent alternative is gezmek. While dolaşmak is more about the act of moving around, gezmek is about the experience of the place. If you are a tourist, you are 'geziyorsun'. If you are just killing time, you are 'dolaşıyorsun'. Gezmek also has a social connotation of 'going out' to have fun, which dolaşmak doesn't necessarily carry.

Gezinmek vs. Dolaşmak: 'Gezinmek' is the reflexive/intensive form. It implies pacing back and forth or wandering in a very small, confined area, like a room. You 'dolaşmak' in a city, but you 'gezinmek' in your study while thinking.

Odanın içinde endişeyle gezinip duruyordu.

Another interesting alternative is the idiom tur atmak (to do a lap). This is very common among young people or drivers. If you drive your car around a popular square just to see and be seen, you are 'tur atıyorsun'. It's a more modern, slightly more rhythmic version of wandering. For a more formal or poetic sense of wandering, especially in nature or vast spaces, you might encounter gezinmek or even seyretmek (though the latter focuses more on looking).

Sürtmek (Slang Warning): In very informal, almost derogatory slang, 'sürtmek' is used to mean wandering around aimlessly, often implying the person should be doing something productive instead. 'Dışarılarda sürtme' is a harsh way to say 'Don't hang around outside'.

For the biological sense of circulation, devretmek is sometimes used in very technical physics or electrical contexts, but for blood and air, dolaşmak remains the king. In terms of information or rumors, yayılmak (to spread) is a strong alternative. While 'dedikodu dolaşıyor' means the rumor is moving around, 'dedikodu yayılıyor' means it is expanding its reach. Choosing between these depends on whether you want to emphasize the movement or the growth of the rumor.

Hadi, sahilde bir tur atalım da kendimize gelelim.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'dolmuş' (the shared taxi in Turkey) comes from the same root 'dol-', meaning 'filled'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /do.ɫaʃ.ˈmak/

US /doʊ.lɑːʃ.ˈmɑːk/

The stress is on the last syllable '-mak'.

Rhymes With

ulaşmak bulaşmak sataşmak yaklaşmak uzaklaşmak anlaşmak paylaşmak tartışmak

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ş' as 's'.
Stress on the first syllable.
Making the 'l' too light (it should be somewhat 'dark' or velarized).
Pronouncing 'o' like 'u'.
Shortening the 'a' sounds too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct case endings (-de vs -i).

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation of 'ş' and 'l' needs care.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

yürümek gitmek park sokak kan

Learn Next

gezmek gezinmek dolaştırmak dolaşım

Advanced

sirayete etmek devretmek münteşir olmak

Grammar to Know

Locative Case (-de/-da)

Park**ta** dolaşıyorum.

Causative Suffix (-t/-tır)

Köpeği dolaş**tır**ıyorum.

Aorist Tense (-ar/-er)

Her gün dolaş**ır**ım.

Accusative Case (-i/-ı)

Şehr**i** dolaştım.

Adverbial -ken

Dolaşır**ken** onu gördüm.

Examples by Level

Parkta dolaşıyorum.

I am wandering in the park.

Uses locative case '-ta'.

O bahçede dolaşıyor.

He/she is wandering in the garden.

Third person singular present continuous.

Biz çarşıda dolaşıyoruz.

We are wandering in the market.

First person plural present continuous.

Sen nerede dolaşıyorsun?

Where are you wandering?

Question form with 'nerede'.

Annem mutfakta dolaşıyor.

My mother is wandering in the kitchen.

Subject-verb agreement.

Kedi evde dolaşıyor.

The cat is wandering in the house.

Animal as subject.

Onlar sokakta dolaşıyorlar.

They are wandering in the street.

Third person plural.

Bugün çok dolaştım.

I wandered a lot today.

Simple past tense.

Dün akşam sahilde dolaştık.

Last night we wandered on the beach.

Past tense with time expression.

Yarın alışveriş merkezinde dolaşacağız.

Tomorrow we will wander in the shopping mall.

Future tense.

Köpeğimi her sabah dolaştırırım.

I walk my dog every morning.

Causative 'dolaştırmak'.

Bu şehirde dolaşmak çok eğlenceli.

Wandering in this city is very fun.

Infinitive as subject.

Lütfen burada dolaşmayın.

Please do not wander here.

Negative imperative.

Yeni ayakkabılarımla biraz dolaşmak istiyorum.

I want to wander a bit with my new shoes.

Infinitive with 'istemek'.

Bütün gün boş boş dolaştı.

He wandered around aimlessly all day.

Adverbial 'boş boş'.

Müzede dolaşırken çok yoruldum.

I got very tired while wandering in the museum.

Adverbial clause with '-ken'.

Kan vücudumuzda sürekli dolaşır.

Blood constantly circulates in our body.

Aorist tense for scientific facts.

Hakkında pek çok dedikodu dolaşıyor.

Many rumors are circulating about him/her.

Metaphorical usage.

İnternette dolaşırken bu haberi gördüm.

I saw this news while browsing the internet.

Digital context.

Odanın içinde düşünceli bir şekilde dolaşıyordu.

He was wandering thoughtfully inside the room.

Descriptive past continuous.

Bu anahtar her kapıyı dolaşır.

This key fits (goes around) every door.

Figurative capacity.

Kafamda binbir türlü düşünce dolaşıyor.

A thousand and one thoughts are wandering in my head.

Mental wandering.

Turistler Kapalıçarşı'yı dolaşmayı çok sever.

Tourists love wandering through the Grand Bazaar.

Accusative case for the place.

Polisler gece boyunca mahallede dolaştı.

Police wandered (patrolled) the neighborhood all night.

Context of patrolling.

Lafı fazla dolaştırma da ne söyleyeceksen söyle.

Don't beat around the bush, just say what you have to say.

Idiomatic causative.

Heyecandan dili dolaştı, konuşamadı.

His tongue got tied from excitement, he couldn't speak.

Idiom 'dili dolaşmak'.

İp çok fena dolaşmış, açamıyorum.

The rope is badly tangled, I can't untie it.

Physical state of being tangled.

Bu plan eninde sonunda ayağına dolaşacak.

This plan will eventually backfire on you.

Idiom 'ayağına dolaşmak'.

Eskiden bu sokaklarda el ele dolaşırdık.

We used to wander these streets hand in hand.

Used to (habitual past).

Şirkette maaşlara zam yapılacağı haberi dolaşıyor.

News is circulating in the company that there will be a raise.

Noun clause as subject.

Gözlerim kalabalığın içinde onu dolaştı ama bulamadı.

My eyes wandered through the crowd for him but couldn't find him.

Visual wandering.

Dünyayı dolaşmak en büyük hayalimdi.

Traveling around the world was my biggest dream.

Accusative case for global travel.

Yazar, romanında karakterlerini labirent gibi sokaklarda dolaştırır.

The author makes his characters wander through labyrinthine streets in his novel.

Literary causative.

Havanın odada iyi dolaşması için pencereleri açmalısın.

You should open the windows so the air circulates well in the room.

Air circulation context.

Siyasi kriz sırasında piyasada büyük bir belirsizlik dolaşıyordu.

During the political crisis, a great uncertainty was circulating in the market.

Abstract economic context.

Onun bu karmaşık cümleleri arasında dolaşmak insanı yoruyor.

Wandering through his complex sentences tires one out.

Metaphorical reading.

Hastalık tüm kasabayı dolaşmadan önlem almalıyız.

We must take precautions before the disease circulates through the whole town.

Epidemiological context.

Zihnimde dolaşan bu melodi bir türlü gitmiyor.

This melody wandering in my mind just won't go away.

Aural wandering.

Tabloların arasında dolaşırken zamanın nasıl geçtiğini anlamadım.

While wandering among the paintings, I didn't realize how time passed.

Experiential description.

Bu antik kentte dolaşmak insanı tarihin derinliklerine götürüyor.

Wandering in this ancient city takes one to the depths of history.

Evocative usage.

Fikirlerin özgürce dolaşmadığı bir toplumda ilerleme beklenemez.

Progress cannot be expected in a society where ideas do not circulate freely.

Philosophical/Political context.

Varlığı ile yokluğu arasında dolaşan bir gölge gibiydi.

He was like a shadow wandering between existence and non-existence.

Existential metaphor.

Sermayenin küresel ölçekte bu denli hızlı dolaşması riskleri de beraberinde getiriyor.

The rapid circulation of capital on a global scale brings risks along with it.

Formal economic analysis.

Şair, kelimelerin ses ve anlam katmanları arasında ustalıkla dolaşır.

The poet masterfully wanders between the layers of sound and meaning of words.

Literary criticism.

Geçmişin hayaletleri hala bu evin koridorlarında dolaşıyor.

Ghosts of the past still wander the corridors of this house.

Gothic imagery.

Hakikat, bazen en beklenmedik ağızlarda dolaşır.

Truth sometimes circulates in the most unexpected mouths.

Proverbial style.

Onun bakışları, salonun her köşesini titizlikle dolaştı.

His gaze meticulously wandered over every corner of the hall.

Precise visual action.

Anlamın belirsizleştiği bu metinde okur, boşluklar arasında dolaşmaya zorlanıyor.

In this text where meaning becomes blurred, the reader is forced to wander between the gaps.

Post-structuralist critique.

Synonyms

gezmek gezinmek tur atmak sürtmek yayılmak devretmek adımlamak dönmek

Antonyms

durmak oturmak beklemek sabitlenmek

Common Collocations

kan dolaşımı

boş boş dolaşmak

el ele dolaşmak

internette dolaşmak

sokaklarda dolaşmak

dedikodu dolaşmak

başı boş dolaşmak

çarşı pazar dolaşmak

vücutta dolaşmak

vitrin dolaşmak

Common Phrases

Biraz dolaşalım mı?

— A standard invitation to go for a casual walk.

Hava çok güzel, biraz dolaşalım mı?

Dolaşıp gelmek

— To go for a quick walk and return.

Ben bir dolaşıp geleyim, hemen dönerim.

Ayağına dolaşmak

— To get in the way or for a trick to backfire.

Yalanları en sonunda ayağına dolaştı.

Dili dolaşmak

— To be unable to speak clearly due to nerves or intoxication.

Sarhoşluktan dili dolaşıyordu.

Lafı dolaştırmak

— To avoid getting to the point; to beat around the bush.

Lafı dolaştırma, sadede gel.

Göz gezdirmek/dolaştırmak

— To scan something with your eyes.

Listeye şöyle bir göz dolaştırdı.

Dünyayı dolaşmak

— To travel the world extensively.

Emekli olunca dünyayı dolaşmak istiyor.

Başına dolaşmak

— To become a problem for someone.

Bu iş senin başına dolaşacak.

Evi dolaşmak

— To look around a house (e.g., when buying).

Evi dolaştık ama mutfağını beğenmedik.

Ortalıkta dolaşmak

— To be seen around; to hang about.

Buralarda yabancı bir adam dolaşıyor.

Often Confused With

dolaşmak vs gezmek

Gezmek is for travel/sightseeing, dolaşmak is for wandering.

dolaşmak vs gezinmek

Gezinmek is for small spaces or pacing.

dolaşmak vs dolanmak

Dolanmak often means to wind around something tightly.

Idioms & Expressions

"Dili dolaşmak"

— To stumble over words or speak unclearly.

Sahnede heyecandan dili dolaştı.

Neutral

"Ayağına dolaşmak"

— To cause trouble for oneself; to trip up.

Kendi kurduğu tuzak ayağına dolaştı.

Informal

"Lafı ağzında dolaştırmak"

— To hesitate to say something clearly.

Bir şey diyecek ama lafı ağzında dolaştırıyor.

Neutral

"Etekleri zil çalmak"

— Though it uses 'zil', the movement involved is often described with 'dolaşmak' in related contexts of excitement.

Sevinçten etekleri zil çalıyor.

Idiomatic

"Ayakları birbirine dolaşmak"

— To be so tired or clumsy that one trips.

Yorgunluktan ayakları birbirine dolaşıyordu.

Neutral

"Zihninde dolaşmak"

— To keep thinking about something.

O gece olanlar zihninde dolaşıp duruyor.

Literary

"Başında dolanmak"

— To hover around someone, often annoyingly.

Sinekler başımda dolanıyor.

Informal

"Kırk kapının ipini çekmek/dolaşmak"

— To go to many places to get something done.

İş bulmak için kırk kapı dolaştım.

Proverbial

"Yolların dolaşması"

— For roads to be complicated or winding.

Bu dağ yolları çok dolaşıyor.

Neutral

"İşleri dolaştırmak"

— To make things more complicated than they are.

Basit bir işi iyice dolaştırdın.

Informal

Easily Confused

dolaşmak vs yürümek

Both involve walking.

Yürümek is the physical act; dolaşmak is the aimless pattern.

İşe yürüyorum (I'm walking to work) vs. Parkta dolaşıyorum (I'm wandering in the park).

dolaşmak vs koşmak

Both are movement verbs.

Koşmak is fast/purposeful; dolaşmak is slow/leisurely.

Koşarak gittim (I went running).

dolaşmak vs dönmek

Both can imply circular movement.

Dönmek is to turn or return; dolaşmak is to roam an area.

Geri döndüm (I returned).

dolaşmak vs kaybolmak

Wandering can lead to being lost.

Kaybolmak is the state of being lost; dolaşmak is the act of moving.

Ormanda kayboldum (I got lost in the forest).

dolaşmak vs ziyaret etmek

Both can be used for places.

Ziyaret etmek is a formal visit to a person or site; dolaşmak is informal.

Müzeyi ziyaret ettim (I visited the museum).

Sentence Patterns

[Place]-de dolaşıyorum.

Bahçede dolaşıyorum.

[Object]-i dolaştırıyorum.

Bebeği dolaştırıyorum.

[Noun] dolaşıyor.

Söylenti dolaşıyor.

Lafı dolaştırma.

Lafı dolaştırma, söyle.

[Concept] arasında dolaşmak.

Fikirler arasında dolaşmak.

[Abstract] ölçekte dolaşmak.

Küresel ölçekte dolaşmak.

[Place]-i dolaşmak.

Evi dolaşmak.

[Place]-de dolaşırken...

Yolda dolaşırken...

Word Family

Nouns

dolaşım (circulation)

dolaşıklık (tangledness)

dolaşma (the act of wandering)

Verbs

dolaştırmak (to make wander/walk a dog)

dolaşılmak (passive: to be wandered)

dolanmak (to wind around)

Adjectives

dolaşık (tangled/indirect)

dolaşımsız (without circulation)

gezmek

yürümek

dönmek

akmak

yayılmak

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Turkish.

Common Mistakes

Parka dolaşıyorum. → Parkta dolaşıyorum.
You wander *in* a place, not *to* it.
Köpek dolaştırıyorum. → Köpeği dolaştırıyorum.
The dog needs the accusative case suffix.
Saçım dolaşıyor. → Saçım dolaşmış.
Use the perfective/stative past for tangled hair.
İşe dolaşıyorum. → İşe yürüyorum.
Dolaşmak is aimless; use yürümek for a destination.
Lafı dolaşmak. → Lafı dolaştırmak.
Beating around the bush requires the causative form.

Tips

Case Mastery

Always check if you are using -de (in) or -i (the whole thing).

Synonym Choice

Use 'gezmek' for vacations and 'dolaşmak' for casual walks.

Social Cue

Use 'Biraz dolaşalım mı?' to end a heavy conversation or suggest a break.

The Stroll

Understand that 'dolaşmak' is a key part of Turkish evening culture.

Medical Use

Remember it for 'circulation' when talking to doctors.

Web Browsing

Use it when you are just 'browsing' the net without a specific search.

Tongue Tied

Use 'Dili dolaşmak' when someone is stuttering or nervous.

Avoid Sürtmek

Be careful with 'sürtmek' as it can be offensive.

Imagery

Use it to describe wind or scents moving through a space.

The 'Ş'

Make sure the 'sh' sound is crisp.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Doll' (dola) that is 'sh' (ş) moving around 'mak' (the park).

Visual Association

Imagine a red blood cell wandering through a maze of veins.

Word Web

Sokak Park Kan Dedikodu İnternet Köpek Saç İp

Challenge

Try to use 'dolaşmak' in three different contexts: physical, biological, and metaphorical, in one paragraph.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Turkic root 'tol-' or 'tolga-', which relates to the concept of filling or surrounding.

Original meaning: To go around, to encircle, or to fill a space by moving through it.

Turkic

Cultural Context

None. It's a very safe and neutral word.

In English, we might say 'hanging out' or 'strolling', but 'dolaşmak' covers both and more.

The song 'Sokaklarda Dolaşırım' is a classic. Turkish literature often uses wandering as a theme for searching for identity. Modern Turkish cinema often features long shots of characters wandering through Istanbul.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

In a Park

Parkta dolaşalım.
Ağaçların arasında dolaşıyoruz.
Yavaşça dolaşalım.
Hava alırken dolaşmak.

At a Doctor

Kan dolaşımım nasıl?
Dolaşım bozukluğu var.
Egzersiz dolaşımı hızlandırır.
Bacaklarımda dolaşım sorunu var.

Shopping

Mağazaları dolaştık.
Vitrin dolaşmak bedava.
Pazarda dolaşıyoruz.
Çarşıyı alt üst dolaştık.

Gossip

Bir dedikodu dolaşıyor.
Haber her yerde dolaşıyor.
İnternette dolaşan video.
Söylentiler dolaşmaya başladı.

Lost/Confused

Aynı yerde dolaşıyoruz.
Yolumuzu kaybettik, dolaşıyoruz.
Boşuna dolaşma.
Nereye gideceğimizi bilmeden dolaşıyoruz.

Conversation Starters

"Hafta sonu nerelerde dolaşmayı seversin?"

"Hiç bilmediğin bir şehirde kaybolup dolaştın mı?"

"Sence en iyi dolaşılacak yer neresi?"

"Köpeğini günde kaç kez dolaştırıyorsun?"

"İnternette dolaşırken en çok hangi sitelere bakarsın?"

Journal Prompts

Bugün dışarıda dolaşırken neler gördüğünü anlat.

Gelecekte dünyayı dolaşmak istersen ilk durağın neresi olurdu?

Kafanda dolaşan düşünceleri kağıda dök.

En sevdiğin sahil kasabasında bir akşam dolaşmasını hayal et.

Kan dolaşımının sağlığın üzerindeki etkilerini araştır ve yaz.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can say 'Arabayla dolaştık' (We drove around/cruised).

Usually, but it can also mean 'to cover an area' like 'Bütün dükkanları dolaştım' (I checked all the shops).

It is 'kan dolaşımı'.

Gezinmek is usually in a smaller, more confined space like a room.

Yes, 'Saçım dolaştı' means your hair is tangled.

It is 'Parkta dolaşmak' (locative).

Köpeği dolaştırmak.

Yes, 'Dedikodu dolaşıyor' is very common.

It means 'Don't beat around the bush'.

It is neutral and can be used in almost any context.