Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| kötü | /cøˈty/ |
| yaman | /jaˈman/ |
| fena | /fena/ (from spelling rules) |
The primary way to express that something is unfavorable or negative is by using the word kötü. Other forms like yaman and fena carry more specific nuances related to intensity or character.
Which one should you use?
While kötü is the general word for 'bad', yaman is used to describe someone or something that is formidable, tough or intensely bad in a way that commands respect or recognition of their power. Fena is a colloquial term meaning 'bad' or 'terrible', but it is also frequently used to emphasize an adjective, acting similarly to 'very' or 'intense'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective kötü does not change its form to agree with the gender or number of the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
/cøˈty/. The first sound is similar to the 's' in 'skew' [k].
Did you know?
- Some linguists suggest that kötü may have a historical connection to the word göt, which means 'ass'. This follows a pattern where body parts are used metaphorically to describe misfortune.
- If you are in Azerbaijan, you might hear pis instead of kötü to describe something as 'dirty' or 'bad'.
Examples in context
- O çok kötü mü?Is that so bad?This sentence is useful for asking if something is bad using kötü.Tatoeba #3878077 by duran, translation #1808136 by Spamster
- O kız çok kötü.That girl is so bad.This sentence is useful for describing someone as bad using kötü.Tatoeba #8041486 by deyta, translation #8041312 by OsoHombre
- O kötü bir şey.That's a bad thing.This sentence is useful for identifying a bad thing using kötü.Tatoeba #12087763 by deyta, translation #12086980 by shekitten
- Bu yemek kötü.This food is bad.
- Film çok kötüydü.The movie was very bad.
- Hava gerçekten kötü.The weather is really bad.
- Bu durum fena.This situation is bad.
- Araba tamiri fena geçti.The car repair was bad.
- Tatil planı fena sonuçlandı.The vacation plan turned out bad.
- O film berbattı.That movie was awful.
- Bu hava gerçekten berbat.This weather is really terrible.
- Dün gece parti berbat geçti.Last night's party was a disaster.
- 2221 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Merve and Burak are discussing a movie they just watched.
- MerveSence film nasıldı?How was the movie in your opinion?
- BurakBence gerçekten çok kötüydü.I think it was really bad.
- MerveNeden böyle düşünüyorsun?Why do you think so?
- BurakHikaye çok kötüydü.The story was very bad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bad” translations and entries kötü, yaman, fena, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fena, kötü, yaman, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
