sevimli
/sevimli/from spelling rules
The English word "cute" is translated into Turkish as sevimli.
Sevimli is used to describe both people and animals to describe a charming or endearing quality. It is a versatile adjective for anything that is attractive in a youthful, dainty, quaint or fun-spirited way.
Meaning: attractive or pleasing in a youthful, dainty, quaint or fun-spirited way (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective sevimli is derived from the noun sevim, which relates to love or affection.
Which one should you use?
While sevimli is the standard term, şirin is a common synonym often used to describe something small, sweet or charming.
How do you pronounce it?
/sevimli/. The [s] sound is like the 's' in [s]end, the [v] sound is like the 'v' in [v]ase, the [i] sound is like the 'ee' in cr[ee]k and the [m] sound is like the 'm' in [m]uch.
Did you know?
- When describing a baby, a Turkish speaker might use bal gibi, which means 'like honey', as a way to say the baby is cute and sweet.
- The word sevimli is part of a vast family of words sharing the root sev, which also forms the word sevgilim, meaning 'my darling' or 'my love'.
- Turkish has a specific way of making words 'cuter' by adding suffixes like -cik or -cık. While sevimli is an adjective, adding these to nouns creates a 'cute' version of that object.
Examples in context
- O sevimli değil mi?Ain't that cute?This sentence shows how to use sevimli in a rhetorical question.Tatoeba #2003160 by duran, translation #1520795 by Spamster
- O sevimli ve komik.He's cute and funny.This sentence uses sevimli to describe a person alongside another quality.Tatoeba #3064917 by duran, translation #3050628 by Hybrid
- Ne sevimli bir kız!What a cute girl!This sentence demonstrates using sevimli as an exclamatory adjective for a girl.Tatoeba #4150913 by deyta, translation #2270101 by _undertoad
- Bu köpek çok tatlıThis dog is very cute.
- Bu bebek gerçekten güzelThis baby is really cute.
- O küçük kedi çok sevimliThat little cat is very cute.
- Bu bebek çok tatlışThis baby is so cute!
- O yeni araban gerçekten şirinYour new car is really cute.
- Bak o kankalar ne kadar tatlılarLook at those buddies, how cute they are!
- 225 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elif and Can are looking at a puppy in a pet shop.
- ElifBu yavru köpek çok sevimli.This puppy is very cute.
- CanEvet, gerçekten çok sevimli görünüyor.Yes, he looks really cute.
- ElifOnu eve götürmeli miyiz?Should we take him home?
- CanHarika bir fikir, Elif.That is a great idea, Elif.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sevimli, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
