Turkish · Insults
Hıyar
huh-YAR · /hɯˈjaɾ/
Jerk / clod / knob
2/5 Bar-safe
coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances
Literally
"Cucumber"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
Yes, "cucumber" — and it means a tactless, graceless jerk. Comic and old-school, more exasperated than venomous. "Hıyarlık etme" (quit being a jerk). Because it's a vegetable, it feels almost G-rated even while insulting someone; hence its charm.
Heard in the wild
Hıyara bak, sıraya kaynak yaptı!
Look at this clod — he cut the line!
Where it lands
Turkey-wide; informal
Quick answers
- What does "Hıyar" mean?
- In Turkish, "Hıyar" means "Jerk / clod / knob". Literally it's "Cucumber". Yes, "cucumber" — and it means a tactless, graceless jerk. Comic and old-school, more exasperated than venomous. "Hıyarlık etme" (quit being a jerk). Because it's a vegetable, it feels almost G-rated even while insulting someone; hence its charm.
- Is "Hıyar" offensive?
- It's on the mild end — 2/5 (Bar-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances.
- How do you pronounce "Hıyar"?
- Say it "huh-YAR" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: hɯˈjaɾ.
Related in Turkish
The same idea, elsewhere
Via concepts like "You idiot".
- French Con Idiot / dumbass — the single most useful insult in French
- German Arsch Arse / ass — and the second great compound-engine of German
- Greek μαλάκας Asshole / idiot — OR — dude / mate. The single most important word in Greek.
- Italian Stronzo! Asshole! / Bastard!
- Japanese ばか Idiot / dummy / stupid
- Korean 바보 Dummy / silly — the soft, safe, often affectionate 'idiot.'
- Polish debil Moron / idiot — the standard hard 'you idiot.'
- Portuguese Otário Sucker / gullible fool / mug
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