In Turkish, the idiom “havadan sudan konuşmak” (literally “to talk about air and water”) refers to small talk. It describes a conversation on light, everyday subjects rather than serious or complex topics. Discover its exact meaning and origin in this article. Hadi Türkçe öğrenelim!
Meaning of “Havadan sudan konuşmak”
The idiom “Havadan sudan konuşmak” (“to talk about air and water”) is used to describe situations where people speak without any particular agenda, usually about trivial or non-controversial topics. It implies that the conversation is easy-going, spontaneous, and often meant to strengthen social ties or make an atmosphere more comfortable.
In Turkish culture, such light conversations are considered valuable as they create a bridge between people, especially in situations where silence might feel awkward.
Example of how to use it in daily life
- Arkadaşım ve ben saatlerce havadan sudan konuştuk. (My friend and I chatted for hours about this and that.)
- Toplantı başlamadan önce biraz havadan sudan konuştuk. (Before the meeting started, we made some small talk.)
- Hastanede sıra beklerken yanımdaki kadınla havadan sudan konuştuk. (While waiting at the hospital, I had a light chat with the woman next to me.)
- Uzun zamandır görmediğim komşumla karşılaştım, biraz havadan sudan konuştuk. (I ran into my neighbor whom I hadn’t seen in a while, and we talked about everyday things.)
- İlk defa tanıştığımızda, ortamı yumuşatmak için havadan sudan konuştuk. (When we first met, we talked about this and that to ease the atmosphere.)
Origin & Etymology of “Havadan sudan konuşmak”
The phrase literally means “to talk about air and water”, which are the most basic and universal elements of daily life. Since air and water are ever-present and ordinary, they symbolize subjects that are simple, obvious, and not deeply significant.
In this sense, the idiom reflects the practice of engaging in conversation for its social value rather than its depth. The imagery of air and water also suggests topics that flow naturally and effortlessly.
Equivalent in Other Languages
| Language | Expression | Literal Translation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | to make small talk / to talk about this and that | — | Casual, light conversation |
| French | parler de la pluie et du beau temps | to talk about the rain and nice weather | Talking about trivial, everyday topics |
| German | über Gott und die Welt reden | to talk about God and the world | Talking about a wide range of everyday matters |
| Spanish | hablar de cualquier cosa | to talk about anything | Casual conversation without importance |
| Italian | parlare del più e del meno | to talk about more or less anything | Everyday small talk |
Similar Turkish Idioms:
- “Laf olsun diye konuşmak” – to speak just for the sake of speaking, without any intention of substance.
- “Boş konuşmak” – to talk idly or without meaning, sometimes with a slightly negative tone.
- “Saçma sapan konuşmak” – to talk nonsense or in a meaningless way.
While these idioms share some overlap, havadan sudan konuşmak has a more positive and neutral tone. It does not imply wasting time or speaking foolishly, but rather enjoying simple conversation and showing openness to communication.
You can now become the master of small talk in Turkish! To enrich further your Turkish vocabulary, discover the meaning, origin, and usage of “fıstık gibisin”.