Bırak beni
/bɯɾak beni/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'let me go' is translated into Turkish as Bırak beni.
Bırak beni is an informal way to say 'let me go'. It can be used in a physical sense, such as asking someone to release their grip, but it is also the standard way to say 'leave me alone' or 'let me go' in an emotional or relational context.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the imperative verb bırak (leave/let go) and the accusative pronoun beni (me).
Which one should you use?
While Bırak beni is a very frequent idiomatic way to phrase the command, swapping the word order to Beni bırak is also grammatically correct and common. For an emphatic way to say 'release me' or 'let me go', you can use Serbest bırak beni.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /bɯɾak beni/. The /b/ sound is like the [b] in about, the /ɯ/ sound is somewhat like the [o] in ribbon, the /ɾ/ sound is like the [t] in American English atom, the /k/ sound is like the [c] in core, the /n/ sound is like the [n] in not and the /i/ sound is like the [ee] in creek.
Did you know?
- The root verb bırak is used not only for releasing people but also for 'quitting' a habit, such as sigarayı bırak for 'quit smoking'.
- In Turkish music, particularly in 'Arabesk' songs, the phrase Beni bırakma ('do not leave/let go of me') is a much more common trope than the actual command to leave.
- The term serbest in the phrase Serbest bırak beni comes from the Persian word for 'free' or 'loose'.
Examples in context
- Bırak beni gideyim. Sen beni boğuyorsun.Let me go. You're choking me.Tatoeba #5559574 by duran, translation #320990 by CM
- Şu an buradan ayrılmam gerekiyor, bana izin verin lütfen.I need to leave here now, please let me go.
- Tamam, bırak beni artık!Alright, let me go now!
- Yeter, serbest bırak beni!Enough, let me go!
- Hadi bırak beni, saatim geliyor.Let me go, my time is coming.
- Sal beni, oraya yetişmem gerekiyor!Let me go, I need to catch up there!
- Bırak beni, çok üzgünüm.Let me go, I am very sad.
- Yeter artık, bırak beni!Enough already, let me go!
Example conversation
Elif is trying to leave a room but Can is holding her arm.
- ElifBırak beni Can, gitmem gerekiyor.Let me go Can, I need to go.
- CanLütfen gitme, biraz daha konuşalım.Please don't go, let's talk a little more.
- ElifHayır, artık seni dinleyemem.No, I can't listen to you anymore.
- CanTamam, sakin ol, seni bırakıyorum.Okay, calm down, I am letting you go.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
