tereyağı
/teˈɾe.jɑː/
The English word "butter" is translated into Turkish as tereyağı. Wiktionary also lists yağ.
Meaning: soft foodstuff made from milk (noun)
Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tereyağı | /teˈɾe.jɑː/ | |
| yağ | /ˈjaː/ | obsolete |
tereyağı is used specifically to refer to the soft foodstuff made from milk.
Which one should you use?
While tereyağı specifically means butter, the word yağ is a much broader term used for any fat, oil or grease.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "the butter" (accusative case), you add the suffix -nı to the end of tereyağı to form tereyağını. To say "of the butter" (genitive case), you add the suffix -ın to the end of tereyağı to form tereyağının.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable. The IPA is /teˈɾe.jɑː/. The ɾ sound is like the [t] in the American English word "atom", and the j sound is like the [y] in "yes".
Did you know?
- Turkish speakers use yağ to refer to rain when it is falling in a heavy, steady stream, as in the verb yağmak.
- In traditional Turkish cuisine, tereyağı is often browned in a pan until it reaches a nutty aroma before being poured over rice or pasta.
- There is a debate among linguists about whether tereyağı comes from the Persian word for butter or from the Persian word ter, meaning 'wet' or 'fresh'.
Examples in context
- Yağı bana uzat lütfen.Pass me the butter, please.This sentence shows how to use the form yağ.Tatoeba #1308972 by duran, translation #35197 by CK
- Ne kadar tereyağı kaldı?How much butter is left?This sentence shows how to use the form tereyağı.Tatoeba #6442311 by duran, translation #6440117 by CK
- Ne kadar tereyağı aldın?How much butter did you buy?Tatoeba #6446737 by duran, translation #6439295 by CK
- Merhaba! Kahvaltı için tereyağı istiyor muydunuz?Hello! Did you want butter for breakfast?
- Evet, lütfen. Biraz tereyağı alabilir miyim?Yes, please. Can I have some butter?
- 91 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elif and Can are preparing breakfast in their kitchen.
- ElifEkmeklerin üzerine tereyağı sürmek ister misin?Do you want to spread butter on the bread?
- CanEvet, lütfen biraz tereyağı koyar mısın?Yes, could you please put some butter on it?
- ElifTabii ki, hemen getiriyorum.Of course, I am bringing it right away.
- CanTeşekkürler Elif, çok naziksin.Thanks Elif, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “butter” translations and entries tereyağı, yağ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tereyağı, yağ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
