bebek
/bebec/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'babe' can be translated into Turkish as bebek.
While the word is used to refer to an attractive person, using bebek in this way is highly informal and can be seen as objectifying or slangy depending on the context.
Meaning: attractive person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word bebek literally means 'baby'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /bebec/. The 'b' sound is like the [b] in 'about' and the 'c' sound is like the [k] in 'skew'.
Did you know?
- In Turkish, bebek is also the word for the 'pupil' of the eye. This creates a poetic double meaning when describing someone's gaze or beauty.
- The word bebek is not just a slang term but is also the name of a famous district and neighborhood in Istanbul.
- Turkish has a separate word yavru for 'baby animal' or 'young one', but bebek is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a prized possession.
Examples in context
- Doğmamış bir bebek kadar masum.As innocent as a babe unborn.This sentence illustrates the use of bebek to describe innocence.Tatoeba #5072220 by duran, translation #4724866 by ranwise
- Tom'u son gördüğümde daha el kadar bebekti.When I last saw Tom he was just a babe in arms.This sentence shows how bebek is used to describe a very small child.Tatoeba #4472840 by tornado, translation #4438107 by patgfisher
- O bir bebek.She's a babe.This sentence demonstrates using bebek to refer to an attractive person.Tatoeba #1997563 by duran, translation #1934904 by Spamster
- Sevgilim, seni ne kadar seviyorum!My love, I love you so much!
- Aşkım, seninle olmak harika.My love, being with you is amazing.
- Bebeğim, bugün senin için yemek pişireceğim.Babe, I'll cook for you today.
- Canım, seninle vakit geçirmek benim için bir zevk.Babe, spending time with you is a pleasure for me.
- Güzelim, seninle olmak her zaman mutluluk veriyor.Babe, being with you always brings happiness.
Example conversation
Elif and Mehmet are talking about a new person they saw at a party.
- ElifŞu çocuğa bak, tam bir bebek!Look at that guy, he is such a babe!
- MehmetEvet, gerçekten çok yakışıklı.Yes, he is really handsome.
- ElifOnunla tanışmak ister misin?Do you want to meet him?
- MehmetHayır, bana göre değil.No, he's not for me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bebek, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
