Please can someone explain what is the translation of:-

    >> Yarim elma, gönüi alma <<

I am ´shtook´ 

I can´t figure out if ´elma´ means apple >> in this context????

Tazx1

Half an apple doesn´t please. or Half an apple doesn´t placate.

I think it´s an idiomatic expression (and native speakers/advanced learners can confirm or reject this assumption) that you´d use when you want something but you´re only getting a portion of what you want - like you want the whole apple but you only get 1/2.

"Yarim elma, gonul alma" actually means :

Giving some gift (or service) which is not expensive but shows sympathy. It shows that you do care about this person and win his/her heart. (not in romantic way).

How would you translate it literally then? I must have translated it inaccurately, otherwise it just doesn´t follow. 

yarým elma : half apple

gönül alma : conciliation

gönül almak : to conciliate

 Here, the -me/-ma suffix in "alma" is not the suffix of negation, it´s the "-me/-ma" suffix which creates a noun from a verb root. Then "alma = taking".

Awwww, gotcha. Thx  

Thank you all.

Sorry for the mistyping ´Gönül´ in my post!

This is another example from ´Colloquial Turkish´ ... in the technique of, ´How to undermine your students´ self confidence without even trying´

By now members will be justifiably sick of my ´Whinning´ about Sayin Yusuf Mardin.  PLEASE DO NOT INFLICT THIS BOOK UPON YOURSELF ... if you do, make sure you are a member of ´Turkishclass´.

Don´t say you have not been warned!

Tazx1