gibi
/ɡiˈbi/
The Turkish word for 'like' is gibi.
Gibi is used to describe something that is similar to another person or thing. While its primary function is to express similarity, it can also be used in certain contexts to express 'as if' or 'as though'. If you wish to use a verb to say 'to resemble' or 'to be similar to', you would use the Turkish verb benzemek.
How does it change in a sentence?
Gibi is an invariable postposition, which means it does not change its form based on the case of the noun it follows.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ɡiˈbi/. The /ɡ/ sound is like the 'g' in a[g]o, the /i/ sound is like the 'ee' in cr[ee]k and the /b/ sound is like the 'b' in a[b]out.
Did you know?
- Turkish can use gibi to create an 'approximate' number, such as saying 'ten like' to mean 'around ten'.
- The word gibi is actually a descendant of a Proto-Turkic word meaning 'form' or 'image'.
- If you travel to Azerbaijan, you will hear a close relative of gibi called kimi instead.
Examples in context
- O bir rüya gibi.It's like a dream.This sentence shows how to use gibi to say something is like a dream.Tatoeba #1335314 by duran, translation #1260753 by CK
- O bir ilaç gibi.It's like a drug.This sentence shows how to use gibi to say something is like a drug.Tatoeba #2023390 by duran, translation #1829548 by Spamster
- Bu bir rüya gibi.It feels like a dream.This sentence shows how to use gibi to express that something feels like a dream.Tatoeba #2126023 by duran, translation #1894288 by Spamster
- Şevval, güzel bir çiçek gibi gülüyor.Şevval is smiling like a beautiful flower.
- Bu koltuk, deri gibi pahalı görünüyor.This chair looks expensive like leather.
- Ahmet, deli gibi koştu.Ahmet ran like crazy.
- Çay, şeker gibi tatlıdır.Tea is sweet like sugar.
- 4013 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a person's personality.
- MerveYeni öğretmen senin gibi mi?Is the new teacher like you?
- BurakHayır, o çok disiplinli biri.No, she is a very disciplined person.
- MerveAnladım, o zaman bir profesör gibi görünüyor.I see, then she looks like a professor.
- BurakEvet, çok ciddi bir havası var.Yes, she has a very serious air.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gibi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gibi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
