Significado
To be extremely hungry.
Contexto cultural
In Turkey, mentioning 'breath smelling' is usually very rude, but this idiom is an exception because it focuses on the tragedy of hunger rather than hygiene. Historically, in Anatolian villages, sharing food was a survival mechanism. This idiom highlights the failure of that social safety net. Today, the idiom is heavily used in political satire and social media to protest the rising cost of living. Classic Turkish films often use this phrase to create empathy for the poor protagonist against the rich antagonist.
Careful with 'Ağzı kokmak'
Never tell someone 'Ağzın kokuyor' unless you want to offend them about their hygiene. Always include 'açlıktan' if you mean they are hungry.
Hyperbolic usage
Use 'Açlıktan nefesim koktu' when you are meeting friends for dinner 30 minutes late. It makes you sound more native and dramatic.
Significado
To be extremely hungry.
Careful with 'Ağzı kokmak'
Never tell someone 'Ağzın kokuyor' unless you want to offend them about their hygiene. Always include 'açlıktan' if you mean they are hungry.
Hyperbolic usage
Use 'Açlıktan nefesim koktu' when you are meeting friends for dinner 30 minutes late. It makes you sound more native and dramatic.
Social Media Context
If you see this on Turkish Twitter, it's almost always a political complaint about inflation.
Teste-se
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
Sabahtan beri hiçbir şey yemedim, resmen açlıktan ______ ______.
Since the subject is 'I' (yemedim), you must use the first-person possessive 'nefesim'.
Which situation is most appropriate for this idiom?
When would you say 'Açlıktan nefesi kokuyor'?
The idiom is primarily used for destitution or extreme, prolonged hunger.
Complete the dialogue.
Ayşe: 'Neden tatile gitmiyorsun?' Mehmet: 'Ne tatili Ayşe? _________.'
Mehmet is explaining that he is too broke to go on vacation.
Match the phrase to the meaning.
Match 'Açlıktan nefesi kokmak' with its figurative meaning.
The idiom is a metaphor for destitution.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosSabahtan beri hiçbir şey yemedim, resmen açlıktan ______ ______.
Since the subject is 'I' (yemedim), you must use the first-person possessive 'nefesim'.
When would you say 'Açlıktan nefesi kokuyor'?
The idiom is primarily used for destitution or extreme, prolonged hunger.
Ayşe: 'Neden tatile gitmiyorsun?' Mehmet: 'Ne tatili Ayşe? _________.'
Mehmet is explaining that he is too broke to go on vacation.
Match 'Açlıktan nefesi kokmak' with its figurative meaning.
The idiom is a metaphor for destitution.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIt can be. It's fine for self-deprecation or social commentary, but calling a specific person this to their face is very insulting.
Yes, but it's hyperbolic. It's like saying 'I'm dying of hunger' in English.
None. Both 'Açlıktan nefesi kokmak' and 'Açlıktan ağzı kokmak' mean the same thing.
No, it is considered too informal/slangy for formal documents.
Figuratively, no. It just means they are poor. But the origin is literal.
Açlıktan nefesimiz koktu.
Yes, 'Maddi durumu çok zayıf' (His financial situation is very weak).
No, it's specifically for humans and their social/financial status.
The present continuous (kokuyor) or the past (kokuyordu).
Yes, it is a universal Turkish idiom.
Frases relacionadas
Beş parasız
synonymPenniless
Züğürt
similarBroke/Destitute
Midesi sırtına yapışmak
similarStomach sticking to one's back
Varlık içinde yüzmek
contrastTo swim in wealth
