Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| cevap | /dʒeˈvap/ |
| yanıt | /jaˈnɯt/ |
Both cevap and yanıt are nouns used to denote a response. To express the action of answering or making a reply, you can use the verb phrases cevap vermek, cevaplamak or yanıt vermek. Additionally, if you are responding to a call, such as answering a phone or a door, the colloquial verb bakmak is frequently used instead of cevaplamak or yanıtlamak.
What does it mean word for word?
The common verb phrase cevap vermek literally means 'to give an answer'.
Which one should you use?
cevap is the most common way to say 'answer' in everyday speech and is of Arabic origin. In contrast, yanıt is a more modern word of Turkic origin often used in formal or academic contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using cevap as a direct object (for example, 'I know the answer'), use the form cevabı. To express the concept of 'to the answer' (for example, 'give a response to the answer'), use the form cevaba.
How do you pronounce it?
/dʒeˈvap/. The [dʒ] sound is like the [j] in jump, the [v] sound is like the [v] in vase and the [p] sound is like the [p] in pan.
Did you know?
- The word yanıt is rooted in the Proto-Turkic verb meaning 'to turn back'.
- In Turkey, the choice between cevap and yanıt often signals a political or social preference for Arabic-origin words versus pure Turkic ones.
- The word yanıt was deliberately brought back into use during the Language Reform to replace the Arabic-derived cevap.
Examples in context
- Bu iyi bir cevap.That's a good answer.Tatoeba #3097649 by duran, translation #2782525 by CK
- Bu iyi bir cevaptı.It was a good answer.Tatoeba #3842464 by duran, translation #3826727 by CK
- Bir yanıtın var mı?Do you have an answer?Tatoeba #4003924 by deyta, translation #2646627 by CK
- Kurumsal bir yanıt bekliyoruz.We are expecting a formal answer.
- Size daha sonra yanıt verebilirim.I can provide you with an answer later.
- Toplantıya katılan herkesin soruları cevaplaması gerekiyor.Everybody who attends the meeting needs to answer the questions.
- Çabuk cevap vermelisin, merak ediyorum.You should respond quickly, I'm curious.
- Hızlı bir cevap bekliyorum, teşekkürler.I'm expecting a prompt answer, thank you.
- Soruyu nasıl yanıtladın?How did you answer the question?
- 1255 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elif and Mehmet are discussing a message they received.
- ElifMesaja henüz bir cevap vermedim.I haven't given an answer to the message yet.
- MehmetNeden cevap yazmadın, Elif?Why didn't you write an answer, Elif?
- ElifDoğru cevabı düşünmem gerekiyor.I need to think of the right answer.
- MehmetHaklısın, acele etme.You're right, don't rush.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “answer” translations and entries cevap, yanıt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cevap, yanıt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
