temiz vs saf
Turkish word comparison
Listen to temiz
Listen to saf
| temiz | saf |
|---|---|
te-MIZ adjective | sahf adjective |
| clean; not dirty | pure; unadulterated; innocent |
How they differ
"Saf" can overlap with "temiz" only in the sense of being free from contamination, but it usually emphasizes purity, innocence, or lack of mixing rather than cleanliness. It is not a direct everyday substitute for a clean room, clothes, or hands.
When to use each
When to use temiz: Use "temiz" for literal cleanliness or general neatness.
When to use saf: Use "saf" when you mean pure substance, innocent feelings, or something unadulterated.
Side-by-side examples
- Ellerini yıkadıktan sonra çok temiz oldu.
(After washing his hands, he became very clean.) - Bu ürün tamamen saf zeytinyağıdır.
(This product is completely pure olive oil.)
Register & nuance: "Saf" is standard and very common, but its meaning is usually closer to "pure" than to everyday "clean."