Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| salak | /salak/ (from spelling rules) |
| ahmak | /ahmak/ (from spelling rules) |
| aptal | /apˈtaɫ/ |
| geri zekâlı | /ɟeɾi zecaːlɯ/ (from spelling rules) |
| bön | /bœn/ |
| avanak | /avanak/ (from spelling rules) |
| andaval | /andaval/ (from spelling rules) |
The terms in this list are used to describe a person of low general intelligence. To say someone is a "total" or "complete" idiot, use the phrase tam bir [noun].
Which one should you use?
While aptal is a general term for an idiot, geri zekâlı is more insulting and specifically implies a lack of mental capacity, similar to "retarded" or "slow-witted". Salak is often used more casually or even playfully among friends than the harsher aptal. Ahmak describes someone as foolish or unwise in a more literary sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word aptal can function as both a noun (an idiot) and an adjective (idiotic/stupid) depending on the sentence structure.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of aptal is /apˈtaɫ/. The p sound is like the [p] in [p]an.
Did you know?
- The word aptal is a doublet of abdal, a term used in Sufism to describe a 'holy fool' or a spiritually enlightened person who appears simple-minded to the world.
- The word bön describes a specific kind of stupidity characterized by a vacant, staring look or a lack of responsiveness.
- The term avanak often refers to someone who is not just an idiot, but specifically clumsy and easily tricked by others.
Examples in context
- O bir aptal değil.He's not an idiot.This sentence is useful for saying someone is not an idiot.Tatoeba #1062823 by duran, translation #840139 by papabear
- Tom tam bir aptal.Tom is a total idiot.This sentence is useful for saying someone is a total idiot.Tatoeba #2976434 by soliloquist, translation #2957031 by CK
- Sami tam bir aptal.Sami is a complete idiot.This sentence is useful for saying someone is a complete idiot.Tatoeba #6718874 by deyta, translation #6717510 by OsoHombre
- Onun söylediklerine inanmak gerçekten ahmakça olur.Believing what he says would be truly foolish.
- Niye böyle aptalca bir şey yapardın?Why would you do something so stupid?
- O kadar cahilsin ki bu konuda sana ne desem boş.You are so ignorant that anything I say on this matter would be pointless.
- Bu salakça davranışını bir an önce değiştirmen lazım.You need to change this foolish behavior of yours as soon as possible.
- 175 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Burak and Elif are talking about a person who made a mistake.
- BurakGerçekten çok aptal bir adam.He is a truly very stupid man.
- ElifBence o kadar da aptal değil.I don't think he is that much of an idiot.
- BurakAma ne kadar aptal olduğunu gördün.But you saw how much of an idiot he is.
- ElifBelki de sadece şanssızdı.Maybe he was just unlucky.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “idiot” translations and entries salak, ahmak, aptal, bön, avanak, andaval, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ahmak, aptal, geri, salak, zekâlı, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
