en iyi arkadaş
/en iji aɾkadaʃ/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'best friend' is translated into Turkish as en iyi arkadaş.
en iyi arkadaş is used to describe an especially close and trusted friend. For a more intimate or soulful connection, such as a 'bosom friend' or 'soul mate', you might use the term can dost. To say 'my best friend', you can use benim en iyi arkadaşım.
Meaning: an especially close and trusted friend (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase en iyi arkadaş literally means 'the most good friend', composed of en (most), iyi (good) and arkadaş (friend).
Which one should you use?
While en iyi arkadaş is the standard way to express 'best friend', the term can dost is used to describe a much deeper, more soulful and more intimate bond.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'his/her best friend', you add the third-person possessive suffix -ı to the end of arkadaş, resulting in en iyi arkadaşı.
How do you pronounce it?
The /n/ is like the [n] in 'not', /i/ is like the [ee] in 'creek', /j/ is like the [y] in 'yes', /ɾ/ is like the [t] in American English 'atom', /k/ is like the [c] in 'core' and /ʃ/ is like the [sh] in 'shoe'.
Did you know?
- Turkish speakers may use the word kanka, a slang shortening of kan kardeşi, to refer to a best friend. This translates to 'blood brother'.
- The word arkadaş actually contains the word for 'back', from arka meaning 'back'. It describes someone who is your 'back-sharer' or someone who stays by your back.
- The phrase can dost is frequently used in Sufi poetry and literature to describe a spiritual friendship that leads one toward divine truth.
Examples in context
- O en iyi arkadaşımdı.He was my best friend.This sentence shows how to use en iyi arkadaş when referring to a past relationship.Tatoeba #3148925 by deyta, translation #2282942 by Hybrid
- Senin en iyi arkadaşım.I'm your best friend.This sentence uses en iyi arkadaş to state a personal relationship.Tatoeba #3700495 by maydoo, translation #1841620 by CK
- O onun en iyi arkadaşı.He is her best friend.This sentence demonstrates the use of en iyi arkadaş to describe a third person's relationship.Tatoeba #4874894 by deyta, translation #4874287 by Amastan
- 186 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zeynep and Can are sitting in a cafe talking about their social circles.
- ZeynepAyşe benim en iyi arkadaşım.Ayşe is my best friend.
- CanO gerçekten çok güvenilir biridir.She is a truly reliable person.
- ZeynepEvet, o benim en iyi arkadaşım.Yes, she is my best friend.
- CanOnun gibi birini bulmak zor.It is hard to find someone like her.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arkadaş, en, iyi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
