yutmak
/jutˈmɑk/
The English phrase swallow is translated into Turkish as yutmak.
yutmak is a verb meaning to cause something to pass from the mouth into the stomach. It is also used figuratively in Turkish to mean suppressing an emotion or swallowing one's pride, similar to its use in English.
Meaning: to cause to pass from the mouth into the stomach (verb)
Which one should you use?
While yutmak is the verb for the action of swallowing, the noun yudum refers to a single sip or gulp of a liquid. Additionally, do not confuse the verb with the bird species, which is called kırlangıç.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The present continuous form of yutmak is yutuyor. The simple past tense is yuttu, and the perfective or reported past form is yutmuş.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /jutˈmɑk/. The /j/ sound is like the [y] in [y]es, the /u/ sound is like the [oo] in c[oo]l, the /m/ sound is like the [m] in [m]uch and the /k/ sound is like the [c] in [c]ore.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might mistakenly use the verb yutmak to refer to the bird 'swallow', but the bird is called kırlangıç.
Did you know?
- In Turkish, the expression yutmak can be used to describe someone who is gullible or easily fooled, meaning they 'swallow' a lie.
- The verb yutmak shares a distant ancestor with the Proto-Turkic word meaning 'to win'.
- Turkish speakers use yutmak to describe a landscape or a city that is 'swallowed' by the sea or a forest.
Examples in context
- Bu hapları yutmak zor.These pills are hard to swallow.This sentence is useful for describing the difficulty of swallowing pills with yutmak.Tatoeba #3750737 by duran, translation #3736992 by CK
- Gururumu yutmak zorunda kaldım.I had to swallow my pride.This sentence shows the figurative use of yutmak regarding pride.Tatoeba #5052069 by duran, translation #5050533 by Hybrid
- Böyle büyük bir hapı yutmak zordu.It was difficult to swallow such a large pill.This sentence is useful for describing the difficulty of swallowing a large pill with yutmak.Tatoeba #5925865 by duran, translation #5915199 by CK
- İlaçlarınızı yutmak için biraz su alın.Take some water to swallow your pills.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Selin is helping Can take some medicine.
- SelinBu ilacı yutmak kolay mı?Is it easy to swallow this medicine?
- CanEvet, çok küçük olduğu için kolay.Yes, it is easy because it is very small.
- SelinÖnce biraz su iç, sonra yutmak daha kolay olur.Drink some water first, then it will be easier to swallow.
- CanTamam, şimdi yutuyorum.Okay, I am swallowing it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swallow” translations and entries yutmak, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries yutmak, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
