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A2 verb 7 min read

tutmak

Examples Notes & Tips tutmak in 30 Seconds
Explanation tutmak in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'tutmak' is introduced as a simple physical action. Learners use it to describe holding an object in their hand. The most common form is the imperative 'Tut!' (Hold!) or the simple present continuous 'Tutuyorum' (I am holding). Students learn that it requires the object to be in the accusative case if it's a specific item, such as 'Kitabı tut' (Hold the book). The context is usually immediate and physical, involving tangible items like bags, hands, or toys. It is one of the first 100 verbs a student learns to navigate basic physical interactions.
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At the A2 level, the meaning of 'tutmak' expands to include common daily activities. Learners discover that 'tutmak' is used for renting an apartment ('ev tutmak') or hiring a taxi ('taksi tutmak'). They also learn the very important cultural question 'Hangi takımı tutuyorsun?' (Which team do you support?). The concept of 'catching' also enters the vocabulary, specifically 'balık tutmak' (fishing). At this stage, students start to see 'tutmak' as a versatile verb that doesn't always translate literally as 'to hold' but rather as a way to engage with services and hobbies.
At the B1 level, 'tutmak' moves into the realm of abstract commitments and social behaviors. Learners use it to mean 'keeping' a promise ('söz tutmak') or 'keeping' a secret ('sır tutmak'). It also covers the concept of duration and cost; for instance, 'Bu yol üç saat tutar' (This road/trip takes three hours) or 'Hesap çok tuttu' (The bill came to a lot). Students begin to use the passive form 'tutulmak' (to be caught or to be held) and the reflexive 'tutunmak' (to hold onto something for support). The verb starts appearing in more complex sentence structures involving subordinating conjunctions.
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At the B2 level, 'tutmak' is used to describe consistency and logic. A common expression is 'Bu sözler birbirini tutmuyor' (These words don't match/are inconsistent). It also refers to something 'catching on' or becoming popular ('Bu fikir tuttu'). Learners explore more nuanced collocations like 'yerini tutmak' (to take the place of/substitute) and 'gözü tutmak' (to like or trust someone at first sight). The usage becomes more idiomatic, and students are expected to understand 'tutmak' in news reports, such as 'istatistik tutmak' (keeping statistics) or 'kayıt tutmak' (keeping records).
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At the C1 level, 'tutmak' is used in sophisticated literary and rhetorical contexts. It appears in phrases like 'yolunu tutmak' (to head towards/take a path) or 'dilini tutmak' (to hold one's tongue). The verb is used to describe intense emotional states, such as 'yas tutmak' (to be in mourning) or 'hıçkırık tutmak' (to have the hiccups). Learners understand the subtle difference between 'tutmak' and its synonyms in legal and academic texts, such as 'tutanak tutmak' (drafting a formal minute). The nuances of the causative 'tutturmak' (to insist on something or to make something fit) are also mastered.
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At the C2 level, 'tutmak' is understood in its most philosophical and archaic senses. This includes its use in classical Turkish literature and complex legal codes. A C2 learner can distinguish the subtle shades of 'tutmak' in proverbs and high-level metaphors, such as 'mayası tutmak' (to succeed/the leaven to work). They can use it to describe abstract alignments in scientific theories or philosophical arguments where one part 'holds' or 'supports' another. The mastery at this level involves using 'tutmak' to convey precision, irony, or cultural depth in any given context, perfectly matching the register of the conversation.
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Examples Notes & Tips

tutmak in 30 Seconds

  • Primary meaning is 'to hold' or 'to catch' something physically.
  • Commonly used for renting property or hiring transportation like taxis.
  • Essential for social life, meaning to support a specific sports team.
  • Used in abstract senses like keeping promises, secrets, or taking notes.

The Turkish verb tutmak is one of the most versatile and essential words in the Turkish language. At its most basic, literal level, it means 'to hold' or 'to catch' with one's hands. If you are handing someone a bag, you might say 'Bunu tut' (Hold this). However, its utility extends far beyond physical contact. In the Turkish mindset, tutmak encompasses the concepts of grasping, maintaining, supporting, and even calculating. It is a verb that bridges the gap between the physical world and abstract social or logical constructs.

Physical Grasping
This is the primary use. It refers to holding an object, catching a falling item, or gripping a handle. For example, 'Elimi sıkıca tut' (Hold my hand tightly).
Renting and Hiring
In Turkish, you don't just 'rent' an apartment; you 'hold' it. 'Ev tutmak' means to rent a house. Similarly, 'Taksi tutmak' means to hire or take a taxi.

Balıkçı, büyük bir balık tuttu.

Beyond these, tutmak is used for keeping promises (söz tutmak), fasting during Ramadan (oruç tutmak), and supporting a sports team (takım tutmak). When a song or a movie becomes a hit, Turks say 'Bu şarkı çok tuttu' (This song really caught on/succeeded). It also applies to time and money; a journey might 'hold' (take) two hours, or a grocery bill might 'hold' (total) five hundred liras.

Lütfen bana bir yer tut.

The word also appears in psychological contexts. 'Yas tutmak' means to mourn (to hold grief). 'Kin tutmak' means to hold a grudge. This versatility makes it one of the top 50 most used verbs in the Turkish language. Understanding its various shades is a hallmark of moving from a beginner to an intermediate speaker.

Grammatically, tutmak is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object. In Turkish, this object is often in the Accusative Case (ending in -i, -ı, -u, or -ü). For example, if you are holding 'the book', you say 'Kitabı tutuyorum'. However, in certain idiomatic expressions, the case might change or the object might be indefinite.

The Accusative Rule
When you hold a specific thing: 'Kapıyı tut' (Hold the door). The '-yı' is the accusative marker.
The Indefinite Form
When the action is general: 'Balık tutmak' (Fishing/To catch fish). Here, 'balık' doesn't need a case marker because it's a general activity.

Dengeni tutmaya çalış.

The verb can be conjugated in all tenses. In the present continuous, it becomes tutuyorum (I am holding). In the past, tuttum (I held). In the future, tutacağım (I will hold). It is also frequently used in the causative form tutturmak (to make someone hold or to make something stick) and the passive form tutulmak (to be caught or to fall in love/be obsessed).

Sana verdiğim sözü tutacağım.

In imperative forms, 'Tut!' is a common command during sports or when someone is about to drop something. In a negative sense, 'Tutma' (Don't hold) or 'Tutamadım' (I couldn't hold/catch it) are very frequent. The latter is often used when someone drops a glass or fails to keep a secret.

You will hear tutmak everywhere in Turkey, from the bustling streets of Istanbul to quiet tea houses in Anatolia. It is a 'workhorse' verb. In a market, a vendor might ask you to 'Poşeti tut' (Hold the bag). On a crowded bus or minibus (dolmuş), you might hear the driver say 'Sıkı tutunun' (Hold on tight) as they navigate a sharp turn.

Sports Culture
The question 'Hangi takımı tutuyorsun?' (Which team do you support/hold?) is a standard icebreaker in Turkish social life, usually referring to the big three football clubs: Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, or Beşiktaş.
Shopping and Math
When paying at a restaurant, you ask 'Hesap ne kadar tuttu?' (How much did the bill come to?).

Ben Beşiktaş'ı tutuyorum.

In professional settings, 'not tutmak' (taking notes) is common. In legal or bureaucratic contexts, 'tutanak tutmak' refers to keeping a formal record or minutes of a meeting or an incident. If you are watching a Turkish drama (dizi), you will inevitably hear characters talk about 'elini tutmak' (holding someone's hand) in romantic scenes, or 'intikam tutmak' (harboring revenge).

Toplantıda not tuttun mu?

Finally, in the kitchen, 'kıvamı tutmak' means a recipe has reached the right consistency. If a cake 'holds' (tuttu), it means it turned out well. If a plan 'holds' (plan tuttu), it means the plan worked. This sense of 'working out' or 'succeeding' is a very common colloquial use.

English speakers often struggle with tutmak because they try to use other verbs like almak (to take) or kiralamak (to rent) in contexts where a native Turk would instinctively use tutmak. One of the most common errors is using 'almak' for renting a house. While 'ev kiralamak' is correct, saying 'ev aldım' means you bought the house, whereas 'ev tuttum' means you rented it.

Tutmak vs. Almak
Use almak for receiving or buying. Use tutmak for physical holding or renting. Mistake: 'Elimi al' (Take my hand - sounds like you want them to amputate it). Correct: 'Elimi tut' (Hold my hand).
The 'Wait' Confusion
In English, we say 'Hold on' to mean 'Wait'. In Turkish, you cannot use tutmak alone for this. You must use beklemek (to wait) or durmak (to stop).

Yanlış: Otobüsü tuttum. (I held the bus - physically?)
Doğru: Otobüse yetiştim. (I caught/made the bus.)

Another mistake involves the phrase 'to catch a cold'. In English, we catch it. In Turkish, you 'burn' it or 'touch' it (şifayı kapmak or soğuk almak). Using soğuk tutmak is incorrect. However, you can say 'balık tutmak' (to catch fish). The distinction between what can and cannot be 'caught' with tutmak is something that comes with practice.

Yanlış: Sözümü aldım. (I took my word.)
Doğru: Sözümü tuttum. (I kept my word.)

Lastly, pay attention to the reflexive form tutunmak. If you want to say 'Hold onto the railing', you use tutunmak, not just tutmak. Tutmak is 'to hold something else', while tutunmak is 'to hold yourself onto something'.

Turkish has several verbs that overlap with tutmak, and choosing the right one adds precision to your speech. The most common alternative is yakalamak, which specifically means 'to catch' something that is moving or trying to escape.

Tutmak vs. Yakalamak
Tutmak is to hold or keep. Yakalamak is the act of catching a ball in the air or a thief running away. You 'tut' a fish once you've 'yakala'-ed it.
Tutmak vs. Kavramak
Kavramak means to grasp or grip firmly, often used for understanding a complex concept (like 'grasping' an idea).

Polis hırsızı yakaladı ama elinde tutamadı.

For renting, kiralamak is the direct equivalent of 'to rent'. While ev tutmak is more common for apartments, araba kiralamak is the standard for renting a car. You would rarely say 'araba tutmak' unless you are hiring a car with a driver (like a taxi).

Konuyu iyice kavradım.

If you mean 'to keep' in the sense of 'storing' something, use saklamak. If you mean 'to keep' in the sense of 'maintaining' a state, use sürdürmek. Tutmak is specifically about the 'holding' aspect. For example, 'Sıcak tutmak' (to keep warm) is a very common and correct use of tutmak.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'tutku' (passion) comes from this verb, implying that a passion is something that 'holds' or 'seizes' you.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tutˈmak/
US /tutˈmɑk/
Second syllable (tut-MAK).
Rhymes With
bak çak yak tak ak bırak uzak sıcak
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing the 'u' like the 'u' in 'cute'. It should be like 'book'.
  • Stress on the first syllable.
  • Making the 't' too aspirated like in English 'top'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize, but meaning varies by context.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of the accusative case.

Speaking 2/5

Very common, essential for basic fluency.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

el ev balık almak vermek

Learn Next

yakalamak bırakmak kiralamak takım

Advanced

tutarsızlık tutanak tutulma tutuşturmak
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Examples by Level

1

Lütfen çantamı tut.

Please hold my bag.

Imperative form with accusative object 'çantamı'.

2

Elimi tutar mısın?

Will you hold my hand?

Request using the aorist tense for politeness.

3

Topu tut!

Catch the ball!

Direct imperative.

4

Kalemi tutuyorum.

I am holding the pen.

Present continuous tense.

5

Bunu kim tutuyor?

Who is holding this?

Interrogative with present continuous.

6

Kedi fareyi tuttu.

The cat caught the mouse.

Past tense 'tuttu'.

7

Kapıyı tut lütfen.

Hold the door please.

Accusative 'kapıyı'.

8

Sıkı tut!

Hold tight!

Adverb 'sıkı' modifying the verb.

1

Yeni bir ev tuttuk.

We rented a new house.

'Tutmak' here means to rent.

2

Hangi takımı tutuyorsun?

Which team do you support?

Standard phrase for sports fans.

3

Babamla balık tutuyoruz.

We are fishing with my father.

'Balık tutmak' is a compound verb for fishing.

4

Hemen bir taksi tutalım.

Let's hire a taxi immediately.

Optative first person plural 'tutalım'.

5

Bu elbise çok tutuldu.

This dress became very popular.

Passive form 'tutulmak' meaning popular.

6

Not tutuyor musun?

Are you taking notes?

'Not tutmak' is to take notes.

7

Bugün oruç tutuyorum.

I am fasting today.

'Oruç tutmak' is the phrase for fasting.

8

Köpeği zincirle tuttular.

They held the dog with a chain.

Instrumental case 'zincirle'.

1

Sözünü tutman gerekiyor.

You need to keep your word.

Infinitive with possessive 'tutman'.

2

Bu akşam bizi burada tutma.

Don't keep us here tonight.

Negative imperative.

3

Hesap beklediğimden az tuttu.

The bill came to less than I expected.

'Tutmak' used for monetary totals.

4

Yolculuk yaklaşık beş saat tutacak.

The journey will take about five hours.

'Tutmak' used for duration.

5

Sırrımı tutacağına söz ver.

Promise that you will keep my secret.

Future participle 'tutacağına'.

6

Yağmur bizi eve tuttu.

The rain kept us at home.

Metaphorical holding/keeping.

7

Onu elinden tuttum.

I held him by his hand.

Ablative 'elinden' indicating the part held.

8

Bu boya duvarda tutmadı.

This paint didn't stick to the wall.

Meaning 'to stick' or 'to take'.

1

Anlattıkları gerçeği tutmuyor.

What they tell doesn't match the truth.

Meaning 'to match' or 'to be consistent'.

2

Yeni reklam kampanyası çok tuttu.

The new ad campaign was very successful.

Meaning 'to catch on' or 'succeed'.

3

Birini yerini tutmak zordur.

It is hard to take someone's place.

Idiom 'yerini tutmak'.

4

İstatistik tutmaya başladık.

We started keeping statistics.

Professional context.

5

Onun gözü beni tutmadı.

He didn't take a liking to me / He doesn't trust me.

Idiom 'gözü tutmamak'.

6

Kendimi gülmemek için zor tuttum.

I barely held myself from laughing.

Reflexive use with 'kendini'.

7

Bu işin maliyeti ne tutar?

What would the cost of this job be?

Aorist 'tutar' for estimation.

8

Lütfen kaydı tutun.

Please keep the record.

Formal imperative.

1

Acaba bu maya tutar mı?

I wonder if this leaven will work?

Literal and metaphorical 'to work/succeed'.

2

Gözyaşlarını tutamadı.

She couldn't hold back her tears.

Negative potential 'tutamadı'.

3

Hırsızın yolunu tuttular.

They blocked the thief's path.

Idiom 'yolunu tutmak'.

4

Söyledikleri birbirini tutmuyor.

His statements are inconsistent with each other.

Reciprocal sense.

5

Hıçkırık tutunca su içmelisin.

When hiccups take hold, you should drink water.

'Tutmak' used for involuntary bodily functions.

6

Polis olayla ilgili tutanak tuttu.

The police drafted a formal report about the incident.

Official legal terminology.

7

Beni lafa tuttu, geç kaldım.

He kept me talking, so I was late.

Idiom 'lafa tutmak' (to engage in long talk).

8

Bu fikir kafama yattı, aklımda tutacağım.

This idea makes sense, I will keep it in mind.

Mental 'holding'.

1

Eski gelenekleri hala tutuyorlar.

They still maintain ancient traditions.

Meaning 'to maintain/preserve'.

2

Yazar, topluma ayna tutuyor.

The author holds a mirror to society.

Literary metaphor 'ayna tutmak'.

3

Bu teori, verilerle karşılaştırıldığında tutmuyor.

This theory doesn't hold up when compared with the data.

Academic use for 'holding up'.

4

Hüküm, geçerliliğini hala tutmaktadır.

The verdict still maintains its validity.

Formal/Legal present continuous with '-maktadır'.

5

Öfkesini zapt edip dilini tuttu.

He controlled his anger and held his tongue.

Idiom 'dilini tutmak'.

6

Onun bu tavrı beni benden tuttu.

His attitude completely captivated/overwhelmed me.

Highly idiomatic/poetic use.

7

Güneşin batışını izlemek için en iyi yeri tuttuk.

We secured the best spot to watch the sunset.

Meaning 'to secure/occupy'.

8

Bu meseleyi gizli tutmamız şart.

It is essential that we keep this matter secret.

Adjectival complement 'gizli tutmak'.

Common Collocations

balık tutmak
ev tutmak
not tutmak
oruç tutmak
takım tutmak
söz tutmak
tutanak tutmak
kayıt tutmak
yer tutmak
el ele tutuşmak

Common Phrases

Tuttuğunu koparmak

— To be very determined and successful. It literally means to pluck off what one holds.

O çok azimli bir çocuk, tuttuğunu koparır.

Gözü tutmak

— To like or trust someone upon meeting them. To approve of someone.

Yeni ortağımı gözüm tuttu.

Lafa tutmak

— To keep someone busy with conversation. To delay someone by talking.

Beni kapıda lafa tuttu.

Kulağından tutmak

— To force someone to do something. Literally to hold by the ear.

Onu kulağından tutup buraya getireceğim.

Tutturmak

— To insist on something or to succeed in hitting a target.

Çocuk 'dondurma' diye tutturdu.

Ayakta tutmak

— To keep something standing or alive. To sustain.

Bu ilaç beni ayakta tutuyor.

Gizli tutmak

— To keep something secret.

Bilgileri gizli tutmalıyız.

Sıkı tutmak

— To keep a tight grip or to manage something strictly.

İşleri sıkı tutuyor.

Yerini tutmak

— To substitute or replace.

Hiçbir şey annemin yemeğinin yerini tutmaz.

Dilini tutmak

— To hold one's tongue / keep quiet.

Biraz dilini tutsan iyi olur.

Idioms & Expressions

"Ağzını bıçak açmamak"

— To be so upset or preoccupied that one cannot speak. Often related to 'tutmak' in context of holding back words.

Üzüntüden ağzını bıçak açmıyor.

informal
"Barut fıçısı gibi"

— Ready to explode with anger (hard to 'hold' back).

Bugün patron barut fıçısı gibi.

neutral
"Etekleri zil çalmak"

— To be extremely happy (cannot 'hold' the excitement).

Haberi duyunca etekleri zil çaldı.

informal
"Göz yummak"

— To turn a blind eye (not 'holding' someone accountable).

Hatalarına göz yumdum.

neutral
"İçine atmak"

— To hold one's feelings inside.

Her şeyi içine atma, anlat.

informal
"Kemer sıkmak"

— To tighten the belt (holding back on spending).

Bu ay kemer sıkmalıyız.

neutral
"Nefesini tutmak"

— To hold one's breath.

Heyecandan nefesini tuttu.

neutral
"Öfkesini yenmek"

— To overcome/hold back anger.

Öfkesini yenmeyi öğrendi.

neutral
"Sabrı taşmak"

— To run out of patience (cannot 'hold' it anymore).

Artık sabrım taştı!

informal
"Yüzü gülmek"

— To be happy (holding a smile).

Sonunda yüzü güldü.

neutral

Word Family

Nouns

tutku (passion)
tutum (attitude)
tutanak (minutes/report)
tutacak (potholder)

Verbs

tutulmak (to be caught/fall in love)
tutunmak (to hold onto)
tutturmak (to make hold/insist)
tutuşturmak (to set on fire)

Adjectives

tutarlı (consistent)
tutucu (conservative)
tutuk (stuck/arrested)
tutkulu (passionate)

Related

el
parmak
kira
takım
söz
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are 'tut-tutting' at someone until they 'hold' the door for you.

Visual Association

Picture a 'Tut' (King Tutankhamun) 'holding' a golden staff.

Word Web

el balık ev takım söz not oruç hesap

Challenge

Try to use 'tutmak' in three different ways today: physical, rental, and social (team).

Word Origin

Derived from the Old Turkic root 'tut-', which has meant 'to hold' or 'to seize' for over a millennium.

Original meaning: To seize, to catch, or to take possession of.

Turkic language family.

Cultural Context

None, but be respectful when discussing 'oruç tutmak' (fasting).

English speakers use 'rent' for houses, but Turks use 'hold'. English speakers 'support' teams, Turks 'hold' them.

The song 'Tuttu Fırlattı' by Gökçe The concept of 'Kara Sevda' (being 'held' by dark love) Common football chants

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At home

  • Kapıyı tut
  • Elimi tut
  • Işığı tut
  • Yer tut

Real Estate

  • Ev tutmak
  • Daire tutmak
  • Kontrat tutmak
  • Kira tutmak

Sports

  • Takım tutmak
  • Maç tutmak
  • Bahis tutmak
  • Taraf tutmak

Shopping

  • Hesap tutmak
  • Para tutmak
  • Poşeti tut
  • Fiyatı ne tutar?

Health

  • Nefesini tut
  • Hıçkırık tutması
  • Belim tutuldu
  • Boynum tutuldu
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