ölmek
/ølˈmec/
To die in Turkish is ölmek. Wiktionary also lists vefat etmek.
Meaning: to stop living (verb)
Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| ölmek | /ølˈmec/ /ɔlˈmec/ (Diyarbakır, Konya) |
| vefat etmek | /vefat etmec/ (from spelling rules) |
The standard, neutral verb for to die is ölmek, which can be used in any context, including blunt or harsh situations. In some contexts, the word Gitmek (which generally means to go) can be used informally to mean to die.
Which one should you use?
While ölmek is the standard way to say to die, vefat etmek is a more formal and respectful way to express the same idea, similar to saying to pass away or to decease in English.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of ölmek is formed by adding the suffix '-di' to the verb stem, resulting in öldü (he/she/it died).
How do you pronounce it?
The IPA is /ølˈmec/. The [m] sound is like the [m] in much, and the [c] sound is like the [k] in skew.
Did you know?
- Turkish speakers use the phrase başın sağ olsun to offer condolences, which literally means 'may your head be healthy'.
- In Turkish culture, it is common to say toprağı bol olsun, meaning 'may their soil be plentiful', when mentioning someone who has died.
- In Turkish, the word ölmek is often used hyperbolically to express extreme states, such as being 'dead' with laughter gülmekten ölmek or 'dead' from tiredness yorgunluktan ölmek.
Examples in context
- Ölmek için çok gencim.I'm too young to die.This sentence is useful for expressing that one is too young for the action of ölmek.Tatoeba #2695456 by Gulo_Luscus, translation #2547664 by CK
- Ben ölmek üzere miydim?Was I about to die?This sentence is useful for asking if one was about to ölmek.Tatoeba #2052615 by duran, translation #1529092 by CM
- Ölmek için çok gençsin.You're too young to die.This sentence is useful for stating that someone else is too young for the action of ölmek.Tatoeba #4577085 by maydoo, translation #1699879 by Amastan
- Üzgünüm, anneniz maalesef öldü.I'm sorry, your mother unfortunately passed away.
- Geçen hafta dedem vefat etti.My grandfather died last week.
- Büyük bir sanatçı hayata veda etti.A great artist bid farewell to life.
- Hüzünlü bir hikaye. Genç yaşta gitmek zorunda kaldı.A sad story, he/she had to die at a young age.
- 145 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elif and Emre are talking about a movie they just watched.
- ElifFilmin sonunda ana karakter ölmek zorunda kaldı.The main character had to die at the end of the movie.
- EmreEvet, bu sahne beni gerçekten çok üzdü.Yes, this scene really made me very sad.
- ElifOnun ölmek istemediği çok belliydi.It was very obvious that he didn't want to die.
- EmreMaalesef hikaye böyle bitmeliydi.Unfortunately, the story had to end this way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “die” translations and entries ölmek, vefat etmek, 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.
