sevgili
/sev.ɟiˈli/
The English phrase 'beloved' is translated into Turkish as sevgili.
As an adjective, sevgili means 'much loved'. However, as a noun it is the standard word for 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend'.
Meaning: much loved (adj)
Which one should you use?
Unlike the English 'beloved' which is often used in a poetic or formal sense, sevgili is the common, everyday word used for romantic partners.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the possessive suffix '-im' to 'sevgili' turns the word into 'my beloved' or 'my darling' sevgilim.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 3rd syllable. The pronunciation is /sev.ɟiˈli/. The /s/ sounds like the [s] in 'send', the /v/ sounds like the [v] in 'vase', the /ɟ/ sounds like the [g] in 'argue' and the /i/ sounds like the [ee] in 'creek'.
Did you know?
- While sevgili is common, poets often use the word yâr to mean 'beloved'. Yâr carries a more ancient and soulful connotation of a companion or a soulmate.
- Turkish has a specific word sevdalı, which describes someone who is deeply in love or 'lovesick'. While sevgili is the person loved, sevdalı describes the intense state of the lover.
- In formal Turkish letters or emails, sevgili is used similarly to 'dear' in English. It can be used to address a close friend or a colleague without necessarily implying romantic love.
Examples in context
- En sevgili oğlunu kaybetti.He lost his most beloved son.This sentence uses sevgili to describe a beloved son.Tatoeba #2841126 by duran, translation #1159280 by emmettricks
- Sami sevgili malikanesini sattı.Sami sold his beloved mansion.This sentence uses sevgili to describe a beloved mansion.Tatoeba #6812276 by deyta, translation #6687116 by OsoHombre
- Augusto benim en sevgili oğlumdur.Augusto is my most beloved son.Tatoeba #5142048 by duran, translation #869224 by ColinG
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Can and Merve are talking about a gift for a close friend.
- CanSevgili dostumuz için ne alalım?What should we get for our beloved friend?
- MerveOna güzel bir kitap alabiliriz.We can buy him/her a beautiful book.
- CanHaklısın, o kitapları çok sever.You're right, they love books very much.
- MerveO zaman hemen gidelim.Let's go right now then.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sevgili, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
