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Questions & Answers about Afiyet olsun, çorba sıcak.
What does afiyet olsun literally mean?
Literally, it means "let there be health". Afiyet means health or well-being, and olsun is the "let it be" form of the verb olmak (to be). It is the standard Turkish way to say "enjoy your meal".
Can I only say afiyet olsun before we start eating?
Unlike the English "enjoy your meal", the Turkish phrase afiyet olsun is very flexible. You can say it before a meal begins, while someone is eating, and even right after they have finished their food.
Where is the word for "is" in çorba sıcak?
In Turkish, you do not need a separate word for "is" in simple present tense sentences describing an "it" or a noun. You just place the subject (çorba) right next to the adjective (sıcak) and the "is" is naturally understood.
Does sıcak mean hot like temperature or hot like spicy?
Sıcak refers only to high temperature, meaning the soup is physically hot to the touch. If you want to say the soup is spicy hot, you must use the word acı.