ışık
/ɯʃɯk/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'light' is ışık in Turkish.
ışık is the noun used for light. Metaphorically, like in English, it can also mean 'hope' or 'guidance'.
Meaning: visible light, brightness (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ışık refers to light or a lamp, the adjective açık is used to describe a light color, such as açık mavi (light blue). Additionally, soluk can be used to mean pale in colour.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the noun ışık plural, you add the suffix -lar to create ışıklar.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ɯʃɯk/. The /ɯ/ sound is somewhat like the [o] in ribb[o]n, the /ʃ/ sound is like [sh]oe and the /k/ sound is like [c]ore.
Did you know?
- The phrase ışık yakmak literally means 'to light a light', but it is the standard way to say 'to turn on the light', regardless of whether you are using a match or a switch.
- In a poetic or spiritual context, ışık can represent a divine spark or enlightenment, often appearing in Sufi literature to describe the journey toward truth.
- While ışık means 'light', the related verb ışıldamak describes a specific kind of twinkling or shimmering, such as the way stars or a wet road look at night.
Examples in context
- Bana bir ışık ver.Give me a light.This sentence shows how to ask for a light using ışık.Tatoeba #4635803 by duran, translation #2761732 by sharptoothed
- Bir yeşil ışık açık.A green light is on.This sentence uses ışık to describe a green light being on.Tatoeba #1261110 by duran, translation #272006 by CM
- İlk ışıkta sola dön.Turn left at the first light.This sentence uses ışık to indicate turning at the first light.Tatoeba #1353064 by duran, translation #244028 by CK
- Işığı açabilir misiniz?Can you turn on the light?
- Lütfen odanın aydınlığını kontrol edin.Please check the brightness of the room.
- 262 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elif and Can are looking at a bright display in a museum.
- ElifBu ışık çok parlak.This light is very bright.
- CanEvet, gözlerimi kamaştırdı.Yes, it dazzled my eyes.
- ElifCan, biraz daha uzaktan bakalım.Can, let's look from a bit further away.
- CanHaklısın, ışık çok güçlü.You are right, the light is very strong.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “light” translations and entries ışık, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
