tavşan
/tɑvˈʃɑn/
The English word rabbit is tavşan in Turkish. Wiktionary also lists ada tavşanı and kuyan.
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ada tavşanı | /a.da tav.ʃaˈnɯ/ | |
| tavşan | /tɑvˈʃɑn/ /tɑwˈʃɑn/ |
|
| kuyan | /kujan/ (from spelling rules) | regional |
The word tavşan is used to refer to the mammal known as a rabbit. It is a gender-neutral noun, meaning the word does not change based on whether the animal is male or female.
What does it mean word for word?
The term ada tavşanı literally means 'island rabbit'.
Which one should you use?
While tavşan is the standard term, ada tavşanı specifically refers to an island rabbit.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the word kuyan is used to mean rabbit.
How does it change in a sentence?
To talk about more than one rabbit, use the plural form tavşanlar. If you want to show possession (the rabbit's something), use the genitive form tavşanın. When the rabbit is the direct object of a sentence, use the accusative case tavşanı.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɑvˈʃɑn/. The sound is like the [v] in vase, the [sh] in shoe and the [n] in not.
Did you know?
- The phrase tavşan uykusu meaning 'rabbit sleep' refers to a very light, cautious nap where one is ready to wake up at the slightest sound.
- Turkish folklore and children's stories often cast the tavşan as a clever trickster figure who outsmarts larger predators.
- In Turkish culture, the phrase tavşan gibi meaning 'like a rabbit' is often used to describe someone who is very timid or fearful.
Examples in context
- Bu sadece bir tavşan.It's just a rabbit.This sentence is useful for identifying a single tavşan.Tatoeba #5386643 by duran, translation #5386629 by CK
- Tom bir tavşan tuttu.Tom kept a rabbit.This sentence shows how to use tavşan as an object when someone kept one.Tatoeba #5811451 by deyta, translation #5757902 by CM
- Bakın, bir tavşan var!Look, there's a rabbit!This sentence helps you point out the presence of a tavşan.Tatoeba #3807827 by vodka, translation #1671948 by Spamster
- 75 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Merve and Emre are looking at a pet shop window.
- MerveŞu beyaz tavşan çok sevimli.That white rabbit is very cute.
- EmreEvet, çok yumuşak görünüyor.Yes, it looks very soft.
- MerveBir tavşan beslemek ister misin?Do you want to keep a rabbit?
- EmreBelki bir gün alabiliriz.Maybe we can get one someday.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rabbit” translations and entries ada tavşanı, tavşan, kuyan, 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.
