Clarifying with "Yani" and "Şöyle ki"
When explaining intricate processes—like a complex family recipe or a specific culinary technique—you often need to clarify your instructions. Turkish uses two common discourse markers to do this: yani and şöyle ki.
Yani (Meaning / In other words)
Use yani to rephrase, summarize, or simplify what you just said. It translates to "meaning," "I mean," or "in other words."
| Let's boil the vegetables for a short time, meaning they shouldn't be very soft. | Sebzeleri kısa süre haşlayalım, yani çok yumuşak olmasınlar. |
| I marinated the chicken with the sauce, in other words, it will be more delicious by tomorrow. | Tavuğu sos ile marine ettim, yani yarına kadar daha lezzetli olacak. |
You can use it to connect clauses in the same sentence, or to start a new sentence:
| I boiled the sauce by stirring it constantly. Meaning, I didn't burn it. | Sosu karıştıra karıştıra kaynattım. Yani, yakmadım. |
Şöyle ki (Namely / Let me explain)
When you need to elaborate, give a specific reason, or break down the details of a broader statement, use şöyle ki. It is best understood as "namely," "here is why," or "let me explain."
While yani summarizes or simplifies, şöyle ki expands and provides the "how" or "why."
| Kneading the ingredients well is important, namely, the consistency must be completely smooth. | Malzemeyi iyi yoğurmak önemlidir, şöyle ki, kıvamı tamamen pürüzsüz olmalı. |
| I want you to peel and boil the potatoes. Let me explain: they cook faster. | Patatesleri soymanı ve haşlamanı istiyorum. Şöyle ki, daha hızlı pişiyor. |
It is especially useful for pointing out the direct evidence or reasoning for a conclusion you just drew:
| We understood that he fried the fish. Here is why: the kitchen smells a lot. | Balıkları kızarttığını anladık. Şöyle ki, mutfak çok kokuyor. |