tatlım
/tɑtɫɯm/
The Turkish word for cutie is tatlım.
tatlım is used to refer to a cute person or animal. While it can mean a cutie, it is commonly used as an informal term of endearment similar to 'sweetie' or 'honey' in English.
Meaning: cute person or animal (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of tatlı (sweet) and the first-person possessive suffix -m (my). Literally, it translates to 'my sweet one'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tatlım is an informal term.
How does it change in a sentence?
tatlım is a singular noun used to address one person. To address a group of 'cuties', one would use tatlılarım (my sweets).
How do you pronounce it?
The IPA is /tɑtɫɯm/. The sound /ɯ/ is somewhat like ribb[o]n, and the sound /m/ is [m]uch.
Did you know?
- The root word tatlı is used to categorize an entire course of a meal, as tatlılar refers to 'desserts' rather than just the taste of the food.
- While tatlım is used for cuties, Turkish has a specific word şirin for the kind of cuteness associated with being 'adorable' or 'precocious', often used for small children or animals.
- In some contexts, especially among women or in the beauty industry, tatlım can be used as a filler word similar to 'honey' or 'dear' even when speaking to a complete stranger.
Examples in context
- Tatlış, seni ne yapacağız?Cutie, what are we going to do with you?
- Tatlımıza bak, ne kadar sevimlisin!Look at our cutie, how adorable you are!
Example conversation
Selin is talking to Emre while he is holding a puppy.
- SelinBu köpek ne kadar tatlı, tatlım!This dog is so cute, cutie!
- EmreEvet, gerçekten çok şirin.Yes, it is really very cute.
- SelinOnu kucağıma verir misin, tatlım?Will you give it to me, cutie?
- EmreTabii ki, al bakalım.Of course, here you go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tatlım, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
