How to Say “Knock on Wood” in Turkish
The usual way to say “Knock on wood” in Turkish is Şeytan kulağına kurşun. It is neutral: safe in almost any situation. Below are 3 alternatives (informal), an example dialogue and the grammar behind it.
In Turkish
Şeytan kulağına kurşun
- Literally
- “lead into the devil’s ear”
- Register
- Neutralsafe in almost any situation
How Şeytan kulağına kurşun is built
- şeytandevil
- kulağ-ı-nato his ear (k → ğ, possessive -ı, dative -na)
- kurşunlead (metal)
Other ways to say “Knock on wood”
- Nazar değmesinNeutral
“may the evil eye not touch it”
Protects good news or a beautiful child from envy.
- MaşallahNeutral
“what God has willed”
Praise that also wards off the evil eye.
- Tahtaya vurInformal
“knock on wood”
People really tap wood, usually twice.
Example dialogue
- A
Bu kış hiç hasta olmadım.
I haven’t been ill at all this winter.
- B
Şeytan kulağına kurşun! Tahtaya vur.
Knock on wood! Tap the table.
Related phrases
All phrases →More everyday expressions
Go deeper
“Knock on wood” in Turkish: FAQ
How do you say “Knock on wood” in Turkish?
The most common way is Şeytan kulağına kurşun (literally “lead into the devil’s ear”), which is neutral: safe in almost any situation. You will also hear Nazar değmesin (“may the evil eye not touch it”): protects good news or a beautiful child from envy.
Is Şeytan kulağına kurşun formal or informal?
Şeytan kulağına kurşun is neutral, safe in almost any situation. For a informal alternative, use Tahtaya vur (“knock on wood”).
What does each part of Şeytan kulağına kurşun mean?
şeytan = devil; kulağ-ı-na = to his ear (k → ğ, possessive -ı, dative -na); kurşun = lead (metal). Turks protect good news from bad luck with this phrase and a knock on wood.
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