Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| pislik | /pisˈlic/ |
| aşağılık kimse | /aʃaːɯlɯk cimse/ (from spelling rules) |
Both terms are used to describe an unlikable person. Pislik can function as a noun to label a person, or as an adjective-like noun to describe a person's specific behavior or nature. While these terms address character, note that if you simply want to say someone is 'annoying', you might use gıcık or if you want to humorously call someone a 'fool' or 'idiot', you would use dangalak.
What does it mean word for word?
The word pislik literally means 'dirt' or 'filth'. The phrase aşağılık kimse is composed of aşağılık, meaning 'lowly' or 'despicable' and kimse, meaning 'person' or 'someone'.
Which one should you use?
Pislik is a more visceral and insulting term, similar to calling someone a 'piece of filth'. In contrast, aşağılık kimse focuses more on a person's lack of dignity or honor.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of pislik is /pisˈlic/. The /p/ sound is like the [p] in 'pan', the /i/ sound is like the [ee] in 'creek', the /s/ sound is like the [s] in 'send' and the /c/ sound is like the [k] in 'skew'.
Did you know?
- The term aşağılık comes from the root aşağı, which simply means 'down' or 'below'.
- In Turkish, calling someone pislik can be a severe insult, but depending on the tone and relationship, friends may use it ironically to tease one another.
- In Turkish, the intensity of an insult often relies on whether you are attacking a person's physical cleanliness or their moral 'height'.
Examples in context
- Bu ne tür bir pislik?What kind of jerk is this?This sentence is useful for asking about the nature of a specific person using pislik.Tatoeba #4934073 by duran, translation #3994528 by ehsansia
- Tom bir bencil pislik.Tom is a self-centered jerk.This sentence is useful for describing someone as a self-centered person using pislik.Tatoeba #5147997 by duran, translation #5147091 by Hybrid
- O acımasız bir pislik.He's a cold-hearted jerk.This sentence is useful for describing someone as a cold-hearted person using pislik.Tatoeba #5173868 by duran, translation #1977552 by Spamster
- Bak şu manyağa! Ne yapıyor acep?Look at that jerk! What is he doing, I wonder?
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Selin is telling Mehmet about a rude coworker.
- SelinYeni müdür gerçekten tam bir pislik.The new manager is really a total jerk.
- MehmetSana karşı kaba mı davrandı?Was he rude to you?
- SelinEvet, herkese bağırıyor.Yes, he shouts at everyone.
- MehmetNe kadar saygısız bir insan.What a disrespectful person.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jerk” translations and entries pislik, 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 aşağılık, kimse, pislik, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
