Turkish phrases: what to say and what to reply

Hello

Say it: MEHR-hah-bah

Works with anyone, at any time of day. Answer it with the same word.

Hi

Say it: seh-LAHM

The relaxed hello for friends and people your age.

Good morning

Say it: gün-AI-duhn

Said until about late morning. After that, people switch to merhaba or iyi günler.

Have a good day

Say it: ee-YEE gün-LEHR

Mostly a goodbye during the day, said as you leave a shop or an office.

Good evening

Say it: ee-YEE ahk-shahm-LAHR

A greeting and a goodbye in the evening, in shops, restaurants and on the phone.

Good night

Say it: ee-YEE geh-jeh-LEHR

Said when you part late in the evening or go to bed, never as a hello.

Welcome

Say it: HOHSH gel-DEEN

Also:Hoş geldiniz

What a host says when you arrive. Hoş geldiniz is the polite or plural form you hear in shops.

Goodbye (from the one leaving)

Say it: HOHSH-chah KAHL

Also:Hoşça kalın

The person who leaves says hoşça kal; the person who stays answers güle güle, "go smiling".

See you

Say it: gö-rü-shü-RÜZ

The everyday goodbye between friends and colleagues who will meet again.

Nice to meet you

Say it: mem-NOON ol-DOOM

Said after you exchange names, literally "I became pleased".

How are you?

Say it: NAH-suhl-suhn

For friends, family and anyone younger. Ask it back after you answer.

How are you? (polite)

Say it: NAH-suhl-suh-nuhz

For someone older, a teacher, a client, or more than one person.

What's up?

Say it: NAH-ber

A short form of ne haber, "what news". Use it with friends; with someone older or a stranger, ask nasılsınız.

What's new?

Say it: neh VAHR neh YOHK

Literally "what is there, what isn't". A warm way to catch up with someone you know.

Not bad

Say it: feh-NAH deh-EEL

An honest middle answer to nasılsın, built with değil, "is not".

Thank you

Say it: teh-shek-KÜR eh-deh-REEM

The safe thank-you for anyone, from a shop assistant to a teacher. With friends, sağ ol is more natural.

Thanks

Say it: SAH-ohl

Also:Sağ olun

Literally "be healthy". Sağ olun is the polite form for an older person or a group.

Thanks a lot

Say it: CHOHK teh-shek-kür-LEHR

A warm thank-you for a real favour, friendly but still polite.

I'm sorry

Say it: ö-ZÜR dee-leh-REEM

A real apology, for a mistake or for being late.

Excuse me

Say it: ahf-feh-DEHR-see-neez

Also:Pardon

To get a stranger's attention or squeeze past someone. Pardon does the same job, more casually.

No problem

Say it: soh-ROON deh-EEL

The calm answer when someone apologises or asks for a small favour.

Please

Say it: LÜT-fen

Goes at the end of a request: Su, lütfen, "water, please".

Yes

Say it: eh-VET

The plain yes. In casual speech you will also hear he or tabii, "of course".

No

Say it: HAH-yuhr

The plain no. Many people also say no by lifting the eyebrows and clicking the tongue.

Okay

Say it: tah-MAHM

Agreement, "fine", or "that's enough", depending on the tone. You will hear it constantly.

I didn't understand

Say it: ahn-LAH-mah-duhm

Turkish says it in the past, "I did not understand", where English uses the present.

I don't speak Turkish

Say it: TÜRK-cheh BEEL-mee-yoh-room

Literally "I don't know Turkish". Add biraz, "a little", to soften it: biraz biliyorum.

Could you speak more slowly?

Say it: DAH-hah yah-VAHSH koh-noo-SHOOR moo-soo-nooz

A polite request that people are happy to grant to a learner.

Could you repeat that?

Say it: tek-RAHR eh-DEHR mee-see-neez

Use it as often as you need; it is the most useful sentence a beginner has.

What does this mean?

Say it: boo NEH deh-mek

Point at a word on a sign or a menu and ask.

How do you say it in Turkish?

Say it: TÜRK-cheh-deh NAH-suhl deh-NEER

Say the word in your language or point at the thing, then ask.

Do you speak English?

Say it: een-gee-LEEZ-jeh bee-LEE-yor moo-soo-nooz

Swap in the name of your own language: Arapça for Arabic, Rusça for Russian.

May it come easy

Say it: koh-LAI gel-SEEN

Said to anyone at work: a cashier, a builder, a colleague at a desk. It wishes them an easy job.

Health to your hands

Say it: eh-lee-NEH sah-LUHK

Also:Ellerinize sağlık

Said to whoever cooked or made something for you, usually after a meal. Ellerinize sağlık is the polite form.

Enjoy your meal

Say it: ah-fee-YET ol-soon

Said before or after a meal, and by waiters as they set the food down.

Get well soon

Say it: gech-MEESH ol-soon

Literally "may it be in the past". Said to someone ill, injured, or just through any bad experience.

May it bring good

Say it: hah-yuhr-LUH ol-soon

For anything new: a home, a car, a job, a shop that just opened.

My condolences

Say it: bah-SHUHN SAH ol-soon

Said to someone who has lost a person close to them.

Happy birthday

Say it: ee-YEE kee doh-DOON

Also:Doğum günün kutlu olsun

Literally "good that you were born", the warm everyday wish. Doğum günün kutlu olsun is the card-style version.

Bless you

Say it: CHOHK yah-SHAH

Said when someone sneezes; literally "live long".

Happy holiday

Say it: bai-rah-muh-NUHZ koot-LOO ol-soon

The greeting for any bayram, the religious or national holidays.

Hopefully

Say it: een-SHAHL-lah

Used for any hope about the future, by religious and secular speakers alike: yarın görüşürüz inşallah.

How wonderful

Say it: MAH-shahl-lah

Praise for a baby, a new home or a success, said partly to keep the evil eye away.

I love you

Say it: seh-NEE seh-VEE-yoh-room

For a partner or close family. The same verb also covers liking things: bu filmi seviyorum.

I miss you

Say it: seh-NEE öz-leh-DEEM

Turkish says it in the past, "I have missed you", even while you still miss them.

My dear

Say it: jah-NUHM

Literally "my soul". Used with a partner, family and close friends, and casually between women.

Good luck

Say it: BOHL SHAHNS

Before an exam, an interview or a match.

How much is this?

Say it: boo NEH kah-dahr

Point at the item and ask. In a market, it is the start of the bargaining.

A tea, please

Say it: beer CHAI, LÜT-fen

Tea comes in a small tulip glass. Swap çay for kahve to order a coffee.

The bill, please

Say it: heh-SAHP, LÜT-fen

In a restaurant or café, catch the waiter's eye and say it, or sign it in the air.

Where is the toilet?

Say it: too-vah-LET NEH-reh-deh

Put any place before nerede: metro nerede?, "where is the metro?"

I'd like this one

Say it: boo-NOO ees-TEE-yoh-room

Point and say it. Bunu is "this" as the object, which is why it is not bu.