tümtümü

Tümtümü is a Turkish expression that conveys the idea of “the whole thing” or “all of it.” It is used as a pronoun or determiner to refer to the entirety of a set, situation, or topic, often in informal speech and writing to emphasize totality beyond partial reference.

Linguistically, tümtümü can be viewed as a strengthened form built from the root elements tüm (all, entire) and tümi/tümü (all of them). In everyday Turkish it appears in compounds and with suffixes to form emphasis or to integrate it into larger phrases. A common formation is tümtümüyle, which means “with the whole thing” or “as a whole,” enabling phrases such as ele almak (to address the issue in its entirety) or kapsamak (to encompass everything).

Usage and nuance: tümtümü carries a sense of completeness and often adds a tone of informality or exaggeration, depending on context. It signals that no parts are excluded and that the speaker considers the entire scope. Examples in natural usage include tümtümüyle ele almak, tümtümünü kapsamak, and similar constructions. In formal writing, speakers may opt for more standard equivalents such as tümünü or her şeyiyle, depending on the sentence structure and register.

Variants and related terms: tümtümü is closely related to tüm and tümi/tümü in Turkish, with tümtümüyle being a common derivative form. Related expressions include tümüyle and hepsini kapsamak, which convey related ideas of totality but with different emphasis or formality.

See also: Turkish pronouns, Turkish intensifiers, Turkish idiomatic expressions.