zeytin
/zejˈtin/
The English word "olive" is translated into Turkish as zeytin.
zeytin refers to the olive fruit. It is also used as an adjective to describe the color olive. For example, you can use zeytinyağı to mean "olive oil" and zeytinli to describe a dish that is "with olives".
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the word plural, use zeytinler for "olives". The word for olive oil is the compound form zeytinyağı.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /zejˈtin/. The sound is similar to the [z] in "zone", the [y] in "yes", the [ee] in "creek" and the [n] in "not".
When do people say it?
In a colloquial context, you might hear the word Zeytinci to refer to someone who produces or sells olives.
Did you know?
- The word zeytin is used in the common Turkish idiom zeytin gözlü, which literally means 'olive-eyed' and describes someone with beautiful, dark, oval eyes.
- The word zeytin originates from Ottoman Turkish, which took the term from the Arabic word zaytūn.
- In Turkey, zeytin is traditionally served as a staple part of the kahvaltı or breakfast, rather than being primarily used as a garnish or appetizer as it often is in English-speaking countries.
Examples in context
- "Bu koku ne?" "Zeytinyağı.""What's this smell?" "It's olive oil."This sentence shows how to identify the scent of zeytin (in the form of zeytinyağı).Tatoeba #8093081 by deyta, translation #8088183 by Amastan
- Masada biraz zeytinyağı var.There is some olive oil on the table.This sentence uses the compound form of zeytin to show the presence of olive oil on a table.Tatoeba #13499039 by vowelharmony, translation #8316588 by Amastan
- Kaç şişe zeytinyağı almalıyım?How many bottles of olive oil should I buy?This sentence uses the compound form of zeytin to ask about the quantity of olive oil to purchase.Tatoeba #12069613 by deyta, translation #12068426 by CK
- Zeytin ağaçları bu bölgede bolca yetişir.Olive trees grow abundantly in this region.
- Akşam yemeğimizde zeytinli pide yaptık.We made olive bread for dinner.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zeynep and Burak are having breakfast at home.
- ZeynepBurak, tabağına biraz zeytin ister misin?Burak, do you want some olives on your plate?
- BurakEvet, lütfen. Siyah zeytin olsun.Yes, please. Let them be black olives.
- Zeynepİşte, senin için zeytin koydum.Here, I put some olives for you.
- BurakTeşekkürler Zeynep, çok sağ ol.Thanks Zeynep, thank you very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “olive” translations and entries zeytin, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zeytin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
