tatlı
/tatˈɫɯ/
The Turkish word for sweet is tatlı.
Tatlı is primarily used as an adjective to describe a pleasant, sweet taste. Figuratively, it can also be used to describe a person's temperament or a cute appearance.
Meaning: having a pleasant taste (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use tatlı to describe the taste of food, whereas şeker refers to the substance sugar or a confectionary item.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/tatˈɫɯ/. The final sound /ɯ/ is somewhat like ribb[o]n.
When do people say it?
Tatlım literally translates to "my sweet" and is a common term of endearment. The term Şekerim means "my sugar" and is an affectionate way of addressing someone.
Did you know?
- Turkish has a specific term, tatlı sert, which translates to 'sweet hard'. It describes a person who is strict or stern but remains kind and fair.
- In Turkey, tatlı is not just an adjective but also the noun for 'dessert'. If a waiter asks if you want tatlı, they are asking if you would like to order a sweet course.
- The historical predecessor of the word was actually datlı, showing a shift in the initial consonant from 'd' to 't' over centuries of development in Anatolian Turkish.
Examples in context
- Bu çay çok tatlı.This tea is too sweet.This sentence demonstrates how to describe the sweetness of a liquid using tatlı.Tatoeba #2138356 by duran, translation #1579427 by fanty
- Bu kek çok tatlı.This cake is very sweet.This sentence shows how to describe the sweetness of a food item using tatlı.Tatoeba #2482607 by User20656, translation #61169 by jakov
- O tatlı değil mi?Isn't that sweet?This sentence shows a way to ask if something is sweet using tatlı.Tatoeba #2557197 by duran, translation #2248705 by CK
- Tatlı bir çocukA sweet child
- Bu pasta çok tatlıThis cake is very sweet
- O, çok tatlı biriHe/she is a very sweet person
- Nasılsın, tatlım?How are you, sweetie?
- O kedi çok tatlış!That cat is so adorable!
- Gel, şekerimCome here, my dear
- 209 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mehmet and Selin are eating fruit in the kitchen.
- MehmetBu çilek çok tatlı.This strawberry is very sweet.
- SelinEvet, gerçekten tatlı.Yes, it is really sweet.
- MehmetDaha fazla ister misin?Do you want more?
- SelinHayır, teşekkür ederim.No, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sweet” translations and entries tatlı, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tatlı, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
