aramak
/ɑɾɑmɑk/
The English verb "call" (to contact by telephone) is aramak in Turkish.
Aramak is used to mean contacting someone by telephone. It is important to note that aramak also carries the meaning of "to search for" or "to look for". While aramak is usually sufficient in context, you can add telefonla aramak to clarify that the contact is specifically being made by telephone. For the noun form of a telephone conversation, you can use çağrı.
Meaning: to contact by telephone (verb)
Which one should you use?
While aramak can mean both "to call" and "to search for", if you wish to invite someone or ask for their presence, you should use çağırmak.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The stem of the verb is used to form various tenses. For example, the continuous present tense "is calling" is arıyor and the past tense "called" is formed by adding the suffix -adı to the stem, resulting in aradı.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɑɾɑmɑk/. The [ɾ] sound is like the [t] in the American English word "atom", the [m] is like the [m] in "much" and the [k] is like the [c] in "core".
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes attempt to use telefon etmek to mean "to call", but aramak is the more common and natural way to express contacting someone by phone.
Did you know?
- The word aramak comes from an ancient root meaning 'to go after' something, which explains why it is used for both 'calling' someone and 'searching' for a lost object.
- Because aramak means both 'to call' and 'to search', a sentence like Seni arıyorum can mean 'I am calling you' or 'I am looking for you' depending on whether you are holding a phone.
- The noun çağrı for 'call' is used in modern technology for 'incoming call' notifications and is also the root for the word 'invitation' davet çağrısı.
Examples in context
- Tom Mary'yi aramak istedi.Tom wanted to call Mary.This sentence shows the use of aramak to express a desire to call someone.Tatoeba #4098794 by duran, translation #3444481 by CK
- Sen onu aramak zorundasın.You have to call her.This sentence uses aramak to express an obligation to call someone.Tatoeba #5271152 by deyta, translation #3918967 by CH
- Biz seni aramak üzereydik.We were about to call you.This sentence uses aramak to express an intention to call someone.Tatoeba #5464745 by duran, translation #5464647 by CK
- Müşteri hizmetlerini arayabilir miyim?Can I call customer service?
- Hemen onu çağır!Call him/her immediately!
- 125 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Can and Selin are discussing their plans for the evening.
- CanSeni akşam saat sekizde aramak istiyorum.I want to call you at eight in the evening.
- SelinTamam, o saatte müsait olurum.Okay, I will be available at that time.
- CanSelin, anneni de aramak ister misin?Selin, do you want to call your mother too?
- SelinEvet, onu beraber arayalım.Yes, let's call her together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “call” translations and entries aramak, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aramak, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
