küf
/cyf/
The English word "mold" translates to Turkish as küf.
küf is a noun used to describe the furry or woolly growth of tiny fungi.
Meaning: furry or woolly growth of tiny fungi (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of küf is /cyf/. The sound /c/ is like the [k] in skew, and the sound /f/ is like the [f] in food.
Did you know?
- The word küf is used in the Turkish phrase küf tutmak, which literally means 'to hold mold' but is used metaphorically to describe someone who has become rusty or out of practice in a skill.
- The word küf shares a common ancestor with the word for 'dandruff' in some Turkic languages, suggesting an ancient connection between things that flake or rot.
- While küf is the standard term for fungus, the word küflenmiş is frequently used metaphorically in Turkish to describe someone or something that has become stale, outdated, or old-fashioned.
Examples in context
- Tom'un küfe alerjisi var.Tom is allergic to mold.This sentence is useful for expressing an allergy to küf.Tatoeba #5088129 by duran, translation #3222387 by Hybrid
- O banyoda pembe küf vardı.There was pink mold in that bathroom.This sentence is useful for describing the presence of pink küf in a bathroom.Tatoeba #5302096 by deyta, translation #5300934 by mervert1
- Duvarlar küften simsiyah olmuştu.The walls were black with mold.This sentence is useful for describing walls that have turned black due to küf.Tatoeba #12506944 by misi2991, translation #10912534 by CM
- Mermer ürünlerde küf oluşabilir.Mold can occur on marble products.
- Evinizde küf bulguları tespit edildi mi?Have any signs of mold been detected in your house?
- Ürünler küften korunmalıdır.Products should be protected from mold.
- Dikkat et, bu eşyanın üzerinde küf mantarı var.Be careful, there is mold on this item.
- Bu odada küf oluşmuş.Mold has formed in this room.
- Üzgünüm, ama yiyeceğin üzerinde küf var.I'm sorry, but there is mold on the food.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Burak and Elif are checking the food in the kitchen.
- BurakBu peynirde küf oluşmuş.Mold has formed on this cheese.
- ElifGerçekten mi? Hemen atmalıyız.Really? We should throw it away immediately.
- BurakEvet, küflü yiyecek yemek tehlikeli.Yes, eating moldy food is dangerous.
- ElifHaklısın, dikkatli olalım.You are right, let's be careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mold” translations and entries küf, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries küf, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
