kızım
/kɯzɯm/from spelling rules
In Turkish, the English phrase "my girl" is expressed as kızım.
The term kızım is used by a parent to refer to their daughter. Beyond literal biological relationships, it is also frequently used as a term of endearment by older people toward much younger women.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of kız (girl/daughter) and the first-person singular possessive suffix -ım (my).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form kızım includes the possessive suffix, so you do not need to add a separate word for "my" (benim) unless you want to add emphasis.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /kɯzɯm/. The /k/ sound is like the [c] in "core", the /ɯ/ sound is somewhat like the [o] in "ribbon", the /z/ sound is like the [z] in "zone" and the /m/ sound is like the [m] in "much".
Did you know?
- In Turkish, the word for girl, kız, is also the root for words related to 'virginity' or 'maidenhood' in many historical and literary contexts, carrying a weight of innocence that is absent in the English word 'girl'.
- An older woman might use kızım to address a complete stranger to offer comfort or maternal warmth. It acts as a linguistic 'social bridge' to reduce the distance between two people who do not know each other.
- In highly informal or heated situations, using kızım towards a stranger can sound patronizing or condescending, as it asserts a perceived social hierarchy.
Examples in context
- O benim kızım.That's my girl.This sentence is useful for identifying a daughter using the form kızım.Tatoeba #1765179 by Gulo_Luscus, translation #1804030 by Spamster
- Kızım, bu senin için.My girl, this is for you.
- Öğle yemeği için sevgilimle buluşacağım.I will meet my girl for lunch.
- Canım kızım, seni çok seviyorum.My girl, I love you very much.
Example conversation
A mother and father are talking about their daughter.
- ZeynepKızım bugün okulda çok başarılıymış.My girl was very successful at school today.
- EmreGerçekten mi? Çok gurur duydum.Really? I am very proud.
- ZeynepEvet, öğretmeni onu çok övmüş.Yes, her teacher praised her a lot.
- EmreKızım her zaman bizi mutlu ediyor.My girl always makes us happy.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
