ayrılmak
/ajɾɯlmak/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'leave' (to depart) is expressed in Turkish as ayrılmak.
Ayrılmak is an intransitive verb used to describe the act of departing or leaving a place. It is also commonly used to describe the act of breaking up in a romantic relationship. While ayrılmak focuses on the departure itself, the related noun izin refers specifically to an absence from work.
Meaning: to depart (intransitive) (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb is built from the root ayır-, which means 'to separate' and the reflexive suffix -ıl-, which means 'to become' or 'to be'. Literally, it translates to 'to become separated'.
Which one should you use?
Use ayrılmak when the focus is on the act of departing. If you are leaving an object or a person behind, you should use bırakmak instead.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express 'I left' in the past tense, you add the suffix -dı and the person marker -m to the form to get ayrıldım.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ajɾɯlmak/. The /j/ sound is like the [y] in English, the /ɾ/ is like the [t] in the American English word 'atom', the /ɯ/ is somewhat like the [o] in 'ribbon', the /m/ is like the [m] in 'much' and the /k/ is like the [c] in 'core'.
Did you know?
- The word ayrılmak is inherited from the Ottoman Turkish form آیرلمق.
- The root of the word, ayır-, is also the basis for many words related to 'distinguishing' or 'sorting' things into different categories.
- Because ayrılmak implies separation, it is often used in poetic contexts to describe the sorrow of parting ways with a loved one.
Examples in context
- Tom ayrılmak için kalktı.Tom got up to leave.This sentence shows how to use ayrılmak with the purpose of getting up.Tatoeba #3614249 by deyta, translation #2647525 by CK
- Sami şu an ayrılmak zorunda.Sami has to leave right now.This sentence demonstrates the use of ayrılmak with a necessity marker.Tatoeba #6761771 by deyta, translation #6710055 by OsoHombre
- Ben erken ayrılmak istiyorum.I want to leave early.This sentence shows how to express a desire to use ayrılmak.Tatoeba #1271436 by duran, translation #680762 by Source_VOA
- Özür dilerim, ancak toplantıyı erken terk etmem gerekiyor.I apologize, but I need to leave the meeting early.
- Biraz erken ayrılmam gerekiyor. Bir sonraki toplantıma katılmam gerekiyor.I need to leave a bit early. I have to attend my next meeting.
- Haydi arkadaşlar, maalesef gitmeliyim. Yarın tekrar buluşuruz!Well, friends, I have to leave unfortunately. Let's meet again tomorrow!
- Sıkıldım, buradan çekip gidiyorum.I'm bored, I'm leaving this place.
- 230 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emre and Merve are finishing dinner at a restaurant.
- EmreArtık ayrılmak gerekiyor, saat çok geç oldu.It is time to leave now, it has become very late.
- MerveHaklısın Emre, hadi gidelim.You are right Emre, let's go.
- EmreHesabı ödeyip hemen ayrılalım.Let's pay the bill and leave immediately.
- MerveTamam Merve, ben çağırıyorum.Okay Merve, I am calling them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ayrılmak, 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 ayrılmak, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
