abla
/abla/from spelling rules
The Turkish word for older sister is abla.
Abla is used to refer to an older sister. It can also be used as a polite title for a woman you do not know personally to show respect in social settings.
Meaning: single-word translations (noun)
Which one should you use?
While abla specifically implies an older sister, the term kız kardeş is the general word for a sister and is often used to imply a younger sister in context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using abla as a title for a woman you do not know personally is a common way to show polite respect in social settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, abla is the most commonly used term for an older sister.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the possessive suffix -m to abla results in ablam, meaning 'my older sister'. Adding the dative suffix -a to the second person singular form ablan results in ablana, meaning 'to your older sister'.
How do you pronounce it?
/abla/. The 'b' sound is like the 'b' in 'about'.
Did you know?
- The word abla is rooted in a very ancient Proto-Turkic word, apa, which originally meant 'mother' or 'aunt' before it evolved into its current meaning.
- In some traditional households, younger siblings may never call their abla by her first name, using only the title to show lifelong respect.
- The use of abla as a social title is the female counterpart to using abi for older brothers or older men in general.
Examples in context
- Ama ablam iyi yüzer.But my older sister is good at swimming.This sentence is useful for mentioning your older sister using the form abla.Tatoeba #4027483 by deyta, translation #53623 by Dejo
- Ablam çok hızlı yüzer.My older sister swims very fast.Tatoeba #5150405 by duran, translation #3665560 by _undertoad
- Ablan şimdi ne yapıyor?What's your older sister doing now?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's older sister using the form abla.Tatoeba #1688615 by duran, translation #70627 by CK
- 57 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Can is asking Elif about her sister.
- ElifCan, abla bana yardım edecek.Can, my older sister will help me.
- CanAblan ne zaman gelecek?When will your older sister come?
- ElifYarın sabah burada olacak.She will be here tomorrow morning.
- CanBu çok iyi bir haber.That is very good news.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “older sister” translations and entries abla, 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 abla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
