kız kardeş
/kɯz kaɾdeʃ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "little sister" is translated into Turkish as kız kardeş.
In casual conversation, Turkish speakers often use the gender-neutral term kardeş to refer to a younger sibling regardless of their gender.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify that the sister is 'little' (younger), the adjective küçük is added before the phrase to form küçük kız kardeş.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /kɯz kaɾdeʃ/. The /k/ is like the [c] in core, the /ɯ/ is somewhat like the [o] in ribbon, the /z/ is like the [z] in zone, the /ɾ/ is like the [t] in American English atom and the /ʃ/ is like the [sh] in shoe.
Did you know?
- The word kardeş is used in the common expression can kardeşi, which means 'soul brother' or 'soul sister', literally translating to 'liver sibling'.
- The word kardeş literally means 'someone who shares the same womb'. It is formed by combining the word for 'womb', karın, with a suffix meaning 'companion'.
- The suffix '-daş' in kardeş is the same one used in words like vatandaş, meaning 'citizen', which implies a 'fellow companion' of a certain state or condition.
Examples in context
- Küçük kız kardeşine bak.Look after your little sister.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase kız kardeş in the context of looking after someone.Tatoeba #5482737 by duran, translation #5386152 by Hybrid
- Kız kardeşin kaç yaşında?How old is your little sister?This sentence shows how to use kız kardeş when asking about someone's age.Tatoeba #3368327 by deyta, translation #6374558 by CarpeLanam
- Küçük kız kardeşin nasıl?How's your little sister?This sentence demonstrates how to use kız kardeş when asking about someone's well-being.Tatoeba #5314650 by deyta, translation #450750 by CM
- Bizim küçük kardeşimiz Ceren.Our little sister is Ceren.
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mehmet and Selin are talking about family at a cafe.
- MehmetBir kız kardeşin var mı?Do you have a sister?
- SelinEvet, bir küçük kız kardeşim var.Yes, I have a little sister.
- MehmetOnunla aran nasıl?How is your relationship with her?
- SelinOnu çok seviyorum.I love her very much.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kız kardeş, 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 kardeş, kız, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
