This post will give you a starting point to learning the basics of the Turkish language.
Try using these words/phrases in your everyday interactions and you will see that the Turkish people appreciate the time you have taken to learn them. And if you do get the pronunciation wrong most people will help you with the correct pronunciation.
Greetings and Politeness
- Merhaba (MEHR-hah-bah) – Hello
- Selam (seh-LAHM) – Hi
- Günaydın (gew-NIGH-duhn) – Good morning
- İyi günler (EE-yee GOON-ler) – Good day
- İyi akşamlar (EE-yee AHKSHAHM-lar) – Good evening
- Hoşça kal (HOSH-chah kahl) – Goodbye (to someone staying)
- Güle güle (gew-LEH gew-LEH) – Goodbye (to someone leaving)
- Lütfen (LOOT-fen) – Please
- Teşekkür ederim (teh-shehk-KOOR eh-deh-REEM) – Thank you
- Sağ olun (SAH-ohl-oon) – Thank you (formal)
- Rica ederim (ree-JAH eh-deh-REEM) – You’re welcome
Getting Around
- Tuvalet nerede? (too-vah-LET NEH-reh-deh) – Where is the toilet?
- Otobüs durağı nerede? (oh-toh-BOOS doo-RAH-uh NEH-reh-deh) – Where is the bus stop?
- Tren istasyonu nerede? (trehn ees-tahs-YOH-noo NEH-reh-deh) – Where is the train station?
- Taksi çağırabilir misiniz? (TAHK-see chah-uh-rah-bee-LEER mee-see-neez) – Can you call a taxi?
- Havaalanı nerede? (hah-vah-ah-LAH-nuh NEH-reh-deh) – Where is the airport?
- Bu ne kadar? (boo neh kah-DAHR) – How much is this?
Food and Drink
- Menü alabilir miyim? (meh-NOO ah-lah-bee-LEER mee-yeem) – Can I have a menu?
- Su alabilir miyim? (soo ah-lah-bee-LEER mee-yeem) – Can I have water?
- Hesap alabilir miyim? (heh-SAHP ah-lah-bee-LEER mee-yeem) – Can I have the bill?
- Çok lezzetli (chok leh-ZET-lee) – Very delicious
- Vejetaryenim (veh-jeh-tar-YEH-neem) – I am vegetarian
- Acı değil (ah-JUH deh-EEL) – Not spicy
Hotel and Accommodation
- Rezervasyonum var (reh-zehr-vah-SYOH-noom vahr) – I have a reservation
- Boş oda var mı? (bosh OH-dah vahr muh) – Is there a room available?
- Wi-Fi şifresi nedir? (wee-fai shee-FREH-seh NEH-deer) – What is the Wi-Fi password?
- Anahtar lütfen (ah-nah-TAHR LOOT-fen) – The key please
Emergencies
- Yardım edin! (yar-DUHM eh-DEEN) – Help!
- Polisi arayın! (poh-LEE-see ah-RAH-yuhn) – Call the police!
- Ambulans çağırın! (ahm-boo-LAHNS chah-uh-ruhn) – Call an ambulance!
- Hastayım (has-TAH-yuhm) – I am sick
- İngilizce biliyor musunuz? (een-gee-LEEJ-jeh bee-LEE-yor moo-soo-nooz) – Do you speak English?
Useful Everyday Words
- Evet (EH-vet) – Yes
- Hayır (HAH-yuhr) – No
- Tamam (tah-MAHM) – OK
- Anlamıyorum (ahn-lah-MUH-yor-oom) – I don’t understand
- Yavaş konuşur musunuz? (yah-VAHSH koh-noo-SHOOR moo-soo-nooz) – Can you speak slowly?
