What does it mean word for word?
The word havalı is derived from hava, meaning "air" or "weather" and the suffix -lı, meaning "with" or "having". Literally, it means "having air" or "windy", which is used metaphorically to mean cool or stylish.
Which one should you use?
While English uses "cool" for both temperature and style, Turkish distinguishes between them. Use serin to describe a cool temperature or a cool breeze. Use havalı only when referring to someone's style or an impressive attitude.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
When using havalı to mean trendy or impressive, the term is colloquial. It can sometimes carry a slight connotation of being "showy" or "pretentious".
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables. The stress is on the 3rd syllable. The sounds are as follows: [h] as in [h]ome, [v] as in [v]ase and [ɯ] is somewhat like the [o] in ribb[o]n.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use havalı to describe a cool temperature. This is a common error for English speakers. To describe a slightly low temperature, use serin instead.
Did you know?
- The root hava comes from the Arabic word for 'air' or 'atmosphere', which is why the term for stylishness in Turkish is literally tied to the air around a person.
- In Turkish, if you call a person havalı, you might actually be insulting them by suggesting they are being 'showy' or 'pretentious'.
- While havalı describes a stylish person, the word serin for cool temperature is often used in Turkish to describe the feeling of relief after a hot summer day.
Examples in context
- O havalı bir adam.He's a cool guy.This sentence is useful for describing a person using havalı.Tatoeba #5272350 by duran, translation #2365676 by Hybrid
- Tom ve Mary havalı.Tom and Mary are cool.This sentence shows how to use havalı to describe multiple people.Tatoeba #6911432 by duran, translation #6910044 by CK
- Bu havalı, değil mi?It's cool, isn't it?This sentence is a way to ask for confirmation about something being havalı.Tatoeba #4660731 by maydoo, translation #2548183 by CK
- Şu elbise harika.That dress is cool.
- Bu manzara kesinlikle harika!This view is absolutely cool!
- Bu şarkı çok güzelThis song is really cool.
- Harika! Kesinlikle izlemelisin.Cool! You should definitely watch it.
- Yeni saç modelin gerçekten güzel duruyor.Your new hairstyle looks really cool.
- Antalya'da nereyi gezmelisin?Where should you visit in Antalya?
- Kaleiçi'ni mutlaka görmelisin. Çok harika bir atmosferi var.You must see Kaleiçi. It has a really cool atmosphere.
- Muhteşemdi! Sanatçılar gerçekten harika bir performans sergiledi.It was amazing! The artists delivered a truly cool performance.
- 51 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emre and Elif are talking about the weather outside.
- EmreDışarıda hava çok havalı, değil mi?The weather is very cool outside, isn't it?
- ElifEvet, biraz serinliyor.Yes, it is getting a bit cool.
- EmreHavalı hava yürüyüş yapmak için harikadır.Cool weather is great for walking.
- ElifHaklısın Emre, hadi çıkalım.You are right Emre, let's go out.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry havalı, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries havalı, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
