zeytinyağı
/zejtinjaːɯ/from spelling rules
The English phrase "olive oil" is zeytinyağı in Turkish.
zeytinyağı refers to the oil pressed from olives.
Meaning: oil pressed from olives (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound made of zeytin (olive), yağ (oil) and the third-person possessive suffix -ı.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "olive oils", you use the form zeytinyağları, applying the plural suffix to the compound.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /zejtinjaːɯ/. The /z/ is like the [z] in "zone", the /j/ is like the [y] in "yes", the /i/ is like the [ee] in "creek", the /n/ is like the [n] in "not" and the /ɯ/ is somewhat like the [o] in "ribbon".
Did you know?
- In traditional Turkish cuisine, zeytinyağı is not just an ingredient for cooking but the base for a whole category of dishes called zeytinyağlılar. These are vegetables cooked in olive oil and served cold as appetizers.
- In some Turkish idioms, yağ (oil) is used to describe flattery or smoothing over a conflict. To 'oil' someone's ego is similar to the English concept of 'buttering someone up'.
- Turkish culture distinguishes between sızma zeytinyağı (extra virgin) and riviera zeytinyağı. While 'Riviera' refers to the Mediterranean coast in English, in Turkish it specifically denotes a blend of refined and virgin oils.
Examples in context
- "Bu koku ne?" "Zeytinyağı.""What's this smell?" "It's olive oil."This example shows how to identify the smell of zeytinyağı.Tatoeba #8093081 by deyta, translation #8088183 by Amastan
- Masada biraz zeytinyağı var.There is some olive oil on the table.This sentence is useful for stating the presence of zeytinyağı 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 is useful for asking about the quantity of zeytinyağı bottles to purchase.Tatoeba #12069613 by deyta, translation #12068426 by CK
- Could you please bring me some zeytinyağı for the salad, thank you?Could you please bring me some olive oil for the salad, thank you?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emre and Zeynep are cooking together in their kitchen.
- EmreSalata için zeytinyağı lazım.We need olive oil for the salad.
- ZeynepDolapta biraz zeytinyağı var mı?Is there some olive oil in the cupboard?
- EmreEvet, şişenin yarısı duruyor.Yes, half of the bottle is left.
- ZeynepTamam, o zaman yeterli.Okay, then it is enough.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “olive oil” translations and entries zeytinyağı, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
