aslan
/asˈɫan/
The English word lion is translated into Turkish as aslan. Wiktionary also lists arslan.
Meaning: big cat Panthera leo (noun)
Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| aslan | /asˈɫan/ |
| arslan | /ɑɾsˈɫɑn/ |
The word aslan refers to the big cat Panthera leo. In Turkish, it is also frequently used metaphorically to describe a person who is brave or courageous.
Which one should you use?
While aslan is the standard form, arslan is an older or more literary variant often found in historical texts or names.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
arslan is used in literary or archaic contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In various Anatolian regions, such as Central and Eastern Anatolia, the term arslan is used for lion.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /asˈɫan/. The /s/ sound is like the [s] in [s]end and the /n/ sound is like the [n] in [n]ot.
Did you know?
- Turkish parents sometimes use aslanım meaning 'my lion' as a term of endearment for their sons to encourage bravery.
- The Turkish word aslan shares a linguistic root with kaplan for 'tiger' and sırtlan for 'hyena'. These words all use the same suffix to denote a wild predatory animal.
- In Turkish sports culture, particularly with Galatasaray, the aslan is used as a mascot and a symbol of the club's strength.
Examples in context
- Bu aslan çok uysal.This lion is very tame.This sentence is useful for describing the temperament of an aslan.Tatoeba #1273467 by duran, translation #60370 by CK
- Hiç aslan gördün mü?Have you ever seen a lion?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever seen an aslan.Tatoeba #1297333 by duran, translation #241869 by CK
- Hiç aslan öldürdün mü?Have you ever killed a lion?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has ever killed an aslan.Tatoeba #3875580 by duran, translation #1719121 by Amastan
- Aslan, güçlü ve kudretli bir hayvan olarak bilinir.The lion is known as a strong and powerful animal.
- 81 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a wildlife documentary on TV.
- BurakBak, şu aslan ne kadar görkemli!Look, that lion is so majestic!
- ZeynepEvet, aslan gerçekten çok güçlü görünüyor.Yes, the lion looks really strong.
- BurakZeynep, aslanların yelesi çok etkileyici değil mi?Zeynep, isn't the lion's mane impressive?
- ZeynepKesinlikle, Burak, harika görünüyor.Absolutely, Burak, it looks wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lion” translations and entries aslan, arslan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries arslan, aslan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
