Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| durmak | /duɾˈmɑk/ |
| kesmek | /cesˈmec/ |
Use durmak when referring to a person, vehicle or process coming to a halt or pausing its motion. Use kesmek when referring to stopping an action, a supply (like water or electricity) or a continuous process by 'cutting' it off.
Which one should you use?
durmak is used for coming to a halt or pausing motion, whereas kesmek is used for ceasing or cutting off a supply or an action. Additionally, the verb duraklatmak is used specifically for pausing something, such as a video or a music track.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperative form of durmak is dur, used to command someone to stop moving or stop what they are doing.
How do you pronounce it?
/duɾˈmɑk/. The /u/ sounds like the 'oo' in c[oo]l, the /ɾ/ is like the American English 't' in a[t]om, the /m/ is like the 'm' in [m]uch and the /k/ is like the 'c' in [c]ore.
Did you know?
- In Turkish, the verb kesmek for stopping a supply literally means 'to cut'. This logic is used for everything from ending a conversation to shutting off a water pipe.
- The verb durmak is closely related to the concept of 'standing' rather than just 'stopping'. It stems from a Proto-Turkic root meaning 'to stand', reflecting a connection between being stationary and being stopped.
- The word durak, derived from durmak, means 'bus stop' or 'station'. It describes the specific place where a vehicle is required to stop.
Examples in context
- Ben durmak üzere değilim.I'm not about to stop.This sentence shows the use of durmak in a negative context.Tatoeba #4681029 by duran, translation #3726159 by CM
- Durmak için hazırlıklı ol.Be prepared to stop.This sentence shows how to express being prepared to use durmak.Tatoeba #4824470 by duran, translation #4501532 by CK
- Tom durmak ve düşünmek istedi.Tom wanted to stop and think.This sentence shows the use of durmak alongside another verb.Tatoeba #1164555 by duran, translation #1164159 by CK
- Sus, lütfen!Please, stop talking!
- Dur!Stop!
- 38 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mehmet and Selin are walking and Mehmet sees a red light.
- MehmetKırmızı ışık yanıyor, burada durmak zorundayız.The red light is on, we have to stop here.
- SelinHaklısın, hemen duruyorum.You're right, I'm stopping right now.
- MehmetNeden bu kadar hızlı yürüyorsun?Why are you walking so fast?
- SelinGeç kalıyorum, durmak istemiyorum.I'm running late, I don't want to stop.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stop” translations and entries durmak, kesmek, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries durmak, kesmek, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
