Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| aman tanrım | /aman tanɾɯm/ (from spelling rules) |
| aman Allahım | /aman allahɯm/ (from spelling rules) |
| aman yarabbi | /aman jaɾabbi/ (from spelling rules) |
These expressions are used to convey a wide range of intense emotions, such as shock, disbelief, excitement or frustration.
What does it mean word for word?
The word aman functions as an interjection similar to 'oh' or 'mercy' and is used to express surprise or distress.
Which one should you use?
While aman tanrım translates to 'oh my God', aman Allahım is more common in daily Turkish speech because it uses the specific word for Allah rather than a generic term for a deity. aman yarabbi is a more traditional or religious-sounding exclamation that translates to 'oh my Lord'.
How do you pronounce it?
The IPA for aman tanrım is /aman tanɾɯm/. The /m/ is like the [m] in much, the /n/ is like the [n] in not, the /ɾ/ is like the American English [t] in atom and the /ɯ/ is somewhat like the [o] in ribbon.
Did you know?
- Sometimes, rather than using a religious exclamation, a Turk might express shock by saying tövbe tövbe. This is a way of saying 'I seek forgiveness', used when reacting to something scandalous or shocking.
- The interjection aman actually has its roots in the concept of 'peace' or 'safety'. It stems from the Arabic word for 'tranquillity', suggesting a plea for safety or a desire for peace during a shock.
- The word aman can also be used to warn someone to be careful, such as saying aman dikkat to mean 'watch out'.
Examples in context
- Aman Allahım! Bu Tom.Oh My God! It's Tom!This example shows the use of aman Allahım to express shock upon seeing someone.Tatoeba #4123471 by duran, translation #4109411 by Hybrid
- Aman Tanrım! Ne yapıyorsun?Oh my God! What are you doing?This example demonstrates how to use aman tanrım to express surprise at someone's actions.Tatoeba #4141983 by deyta, translation #1386753 by marcelostockle
- Aman Tanrım! Sen çok aptalsın!Oh my God! You're so stupid!This example uses aman tanrım to express disbelief or frustration towards someone.Tatoeba #3132218 by duran, translation #3098661 by Hybrid
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emre and Selin are looking at a beautiful view from a balcony.
- EmreAman tanrım, manzara ne kadar güzel!Oh my god, the view is so beautiful!
- SelinEvet, gerçekten inanılmaz görünüyor.Yes, it looks truly incredible.
- EmreSelin, şuna bir baksana!Selin, look at this!
- Selinİnanılmaz bir an, değil mi Emre?It is an incredible moment, isn't it Emre?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oh my God” translations and entries aman tanrım, 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 aman, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
