What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective dikkatli (careful) and the verb ol (be).
Which one should you use?
While dikkatli ol means 'be careful' (as a state of being), dikkat et is a common alternative that literally means 'pay attention' or 'watch out' (as an action). Additionally, Dikkat etmek zorundasınız means 'You must be careful' and is used to emphasize necessity.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form dikkatli ol is used when speaking to one person in an informal or familiar setting, such as a friend or child. To say 'be careful' to a stranger, an elder or a group of people, use the polite form dikkatli olun instead of the informal dikkatli ol.
How do you pronounce it?
The sound /i/ is like the [ee] in cr[ee]k, /c/ is like the [k] in s[k]ew and /k/ is like the [c] in [c]ore.
Did you know?
- The root word dikkat is borrowed from the Arabic word for 'precision' or 'fineness'. In its original context, it referred to the smallness of a point or a tiny detail.
- Depending on the region, some Turkish speakers might use the phrase yavaş ol, which literally means 'be slow', to tell someone to be careful or cautious in a situation.
- While dikkatli ol is a standard warning, a person might say Aman dikkat! which adds an emotive 'Aman' to express sudden alarm or urgency.
Examples in context
- Dikkatli ol, tamam mı?Be careful, OK?This is useful for asking for confirmation after a warning using dikkatli ol.Tatoeba #2577314 by Gulo_Luscus, translation #2549669 by CK
- Dikkatli ol, yer ıslak.Be careful! The floor is wet.This is useful for warning someone about a specific danger like a wet floor using dikkatli ol.Tatoeba #1364978 by duran, translation #682407 by Source_VOA
- Sadece sen dikkatli ol.Just you be careful.This is useful for emphasizing that only one specific person needs to be careful using dikkatli ol.Tatoeba #4460878 by duran, translation #2647650 by CK
- Dikkatli olun, kaza olabilir.Be careful, there could be an accident.
- Tedbirli olun, çevrede tehlikeler var.Be cautious, there are dangers around.
- Dikkat et, yolda buz var.Be careful, there's ice on the road.
- Dikkatli ol, merdivenler kaygan olabilir.Be cautious, the stairs can be slippery.
- Canını yakma, dikkat et.Don't hurt yourself, be careful.
- 278 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Can is warning Selin about a broken glass on the floor.
- CanSelin, orada kırık cam var, dikkatli ol.Selin, there is broken glass there, be careful.
- SelinAaa, görmemiştim. Teşekkürler Can.Oh, I didn't see it. Thanks, Can.
- CanLütfen yavaşça yürü.Please walk slowly.
- SelinTamam, dikkatli olacağım.Okay, I will be careful.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dikkatli, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
