What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally composed of the noun ihtiyaç (need) with the first-person possessive suffix -ım (my) and the verb var (there is/exists), meaning "I have a need".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express different subjects, you change the possessive suffix on the noun. For "he/she/it needs", you use ihtiyacı var by using the suffix -ı or -i. To say "you need", use ihtiyacın var for informal situations or ihtiyacınız var for formal or plural situations by changing the suffix to -ın or -in.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ihtijadʒɯm vaɾ/. Here are the sound comparisons: /i/ is like the [ee] in cr[ee]k, /h/ is like the [h] in [h]ome, /j/ is like the [y] in [y]es, /dʒ/ is like the [j] in [j]ump, /ɯ/ is somewhat like the [o] in ribb[o]n, /m/ is like the [m] in [m]uch, /v/ is like the [v] in [v]ase and /ɾ/ is like the [t] in AmE a[t]om.
Did you know?
- While ihtiyacım var expresses a requirement, Turkish speakers often use the verb lazım to mean 'it is necessary'. Using lazım is often more common in daily conversation than the formal structure of ihtiyaç.
- The word var used in this phrase is the direct opposite of yok. In Turkish, 'not needing' is often expressed by simply saying ihtiyacım yok, which literally means 'my need does not exist'.
- The word ihtiyaç is actually a loanword from Arabic, specifically from the root meaning 'to be in want or distress'.
Examples in context
- Bu işe ihtiyacım var.I need this job.This sentence shows how to use ihtiyacım var to express needing a specific job.Tatoeba #2888433 by duran, translation #2387549 by CK
- Bir işe ihtiyacım var.I need a job.This sentence shows how to use ihtiyacım var to express needing a job in general.Tatoeba #1997357 by duran, translation #436821 by lukaszpp
- O banda ihtiyacım var.I need that tape.This sentence shows how to use ihtiyacım var to express needing a specific tape.Tatoeba #2886401 by duran, translation #2387544 by CK
- Bana para lazımI need money.
- Bana yardım gerekI need help.
- 930 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Merve and Can are at home and Merve is looking for her keys.
- MerveAnahtarlarıma ihtiyacım var.I need my keys.
- CanMasanın üzerinde mi?Are they on the table?
- MerveHayır, bulamıyorum.No, I can't find them.
- CanHemen bakmana yardım edeyim.Let me help you look for them immediately.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
