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hayır. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
hayır, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
hayır in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
hayır you have here. The definition of the word
hayır will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
hayır, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Turkish
Etymology 1
Inherited from Ottoman Turkish خیر (hayr, hayır), ultimately shortened from Classical Persian نَخَیْر (naxayr, “no”), itself from نَه (na, “no”) + Arabic خَيْر (ḵayr, “good, well, wellbeing”). Partially replaced yok, although the latter is still more common.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): (standard) /ˈhɑ.jɯɾ/, , (some speakers)
- Hyphenation: ha‧yır
Interjection
hayır
- no
- Synonym: yok
- Antonym: evet
Öğretmen misin? — Hayır.- Are you a teacher? — No.
Usage notes
- The native synonym yok is significantly more common and polite when refusing an offer or expressing disagreement with a positive question.
- Restating the request in negative indicative is slightly more common when refusing a request. For example,
Girebilir miyim? — Giremezsin.- May I come in? — No. ("You may not come in")
Etymology 2
Inherited from Ottoman Turkish خیر (hayır), from Arabic خَيْر (ḵayr, “good, well, wellbeing”), same word as above.
Pronunciation
Noun
hayır (definite accusative hayrı, plural hayırlar)
- good; prosperity
- profit, advantage
- charity
Descendants
References
- Kélékian, Diran (1911) “خیر”, in Dictionnaire turc-français, Constantinople: Mihran, page 557
- Avery, Robert et al., editors (2013), The Redhouse Dictionary Turkish/Ottoman English, 21st edition, Istanbul: Sev Yayıncılık, →ISBN
Further reading