yemek
/jeˈmec/
The English phrase eat is translated into Turkish as yemek.
In Turkish, the word yemek can function as both the noun meaning 'food' and the verb 'to eat'. To express the specific action of consuming a meal, speakers often use the construction yemek yemek, which literally means 'to eat food'.
Meaning: eat a meal (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word yemek carries a dual meaning: it means 'food' and also 'to eat'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb yemek changes according to tense and mood. The past tense is yedi (ate), and the present continuous form is yiyor (is eating). The imperative command form for the singular/informal 'you' is ye (eat!).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /jeˈmec/. The /j/ sound is like the [y] in [y]es, the /m/ is like the [m] in [m]uch and the /c/ is like the [k] in s[k]ew.
Did you know?
- The phrase afiyet olsun is typically said to someone who is about to eat or has just finished eating, acting as a wish for the meal to bring health.
- It is common in Turkey to offer food to everyone present before starting to eat, as it is considered impolite to eat alone while others are nearby.
- In Turkish, the word yemek can be used metaphorically to mean 'to destroy' or 'to consume' something, such as rust 'eating' away at metal.
Examples in context
- Tom yemek yedi mi?Did Tom eat?This sentence uses yemek to ask if Tom ate.Tatoeba #2625564 by duran, translation #2235665 by CK
- Yemek için ne var?What is there to eat?This sentence uses yemek to ask what there is to eat.Tatoeba #5191825 by duran, translation #5187117 by tabular
- Çok yemek yedin mi?Did you eat much?This sentence uses yemek to ask if you ate much.Tatoeba #6359929 by duran, translation #6358241 by CK
- Konuğumuzun yemeğini yeyiniz.Please eat our guest's food.
- Yemeğinizi yiyin, lezzetli.Eat your food, it's delicious.
- O meyveyi yiyebilirsin.You can eat that fruit.
- 1308 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emre and Selin are deciding what to do for dinner at home.
- EmreHadi, dışarıda yemek yiyelim.Come on, let's eat out.
- SelinBugün çok yorgunum, evde yemek yiyelim.I am very tired today, let's eat at home.
- EmreTamam, ben yemek yaparım.Okay, I will make the meal.
- SelinHarika, çok lezzetli bir yemek yiyeceğiz.Great, we are going to eat a delicious meal.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry yemek, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
