100 Common Turkish Phrases with Pronunciation for Tourists

When traveling to Turkey, knowing some common Turkish phrases can greatly enhance your experience. This guide will provide you with 100 essential Turkish phrases, organized into categories for easier learning.

Introduction

Each phrase is accompanied by its pronunciation to help you communicate effectively. By mastering these phrases, you’ll be better equipped to navigate through Turkey, interact with locals, and immerse yourself in the culture.

Greetings and Basic Phrases

Learning basic greetings is essential for making a good impression and starting conversations.

1. Hello – Merhaba (mehr-hah-bah)
2. Goodbye – Hoşça kal (hosh-chah kahl)
3. Please – Lütfen (lyt-fen)
4. Thank you – Teşekkür ederim (teh-shehk-kur eh-deh-reem)
5. Yes – Evet (eh-vet)
6. No – Hayır (hah-yuhr)
7. Excuse me / Sorry – Özür dilerim (oh-zur dee-leh-reem)
8. Good morning – Günaydın (gyoon-eye-duhn)
9. Good night – İyi geceler (ee-yee geh-jeh-lehr)
10. How are you? – Nasılsınız? (nah-suhl-suh-nuhz)

Directions and Transportation

These phrases will help you ask for and understand directions, and navigate public transportation.

11. Where is the bathroom? – Tuvalet nerede? (too-vah-let neh-reh-deh)
12. How do I get to…? – … nasıl giderim? (… nah-suhl gee-deh-reem)
13. I need a taxi – Taksi lazım (tahk-see lah-zuhm)
14. Bus stop – Otobüs durağı (oh-toh-bus doo-rah-uh)
15. Train station – Tren istasyonu (trehn ees-tah-syo-noo)
16. Airport – Havaalanı (hah-vah-ah-lah-nuh)
17. Left – Sol (sohl)
18. Right – Sağ (sah)
19. Straight ahead – Dümdüz (doom-dooz)
20. Near – Yakın (yah-kuhn)

Food and Dining

Knowing how to order food and communicate in restaurants will ensure you enjoy Turkish cuisine to the fullest.

21. I would like to order… – … sipariş vermek istiyorum (… see-pah-reesh vehr-mehk ees-tee-yo-roo)
22. Menu – Menü (meh-nyoo)
23. Water – Su (soo)
24. Tea – Çay (chai)
25. Coffee – Kahve (kah-veh)
26. Bill, please – Hesap lütfen (heh-sahp lyt-fen)
27. Delicious – Lezzetli (lehz-zeht-lee)
28. I am vegetarian – Vejetaryenim (veh-jeh-tah-ryeh-neem)
29. No meat, please – Et yok, lytfen (eht yok, lyt-fen)
30. Cheers! – Şerefe! (sheh-reh-feh)

Want to explore more Turkish phrases for dining? Check out our list of 50 Common Turkish Phrases for Restaurants to enjoy your meals like a local

Shopping

These phrases will help you shop for souvenirs, clothes, and other items.

31. How much is this? – Bu ne kadar? (boo neh kah-dahr)
32. Can I try it on? – Deneyebilir miyim? (deh-neh-yeh-beel-eer mee-yeem)
33. Do you have…? – … var mı? (… vahr muh)
34. I’m just looking – Sadece bakıyorum (sah-deh-jeh bah-koo-roo-yoom)
35. Cheap – Ucuz (oo-jooz)
36. Expensive – Pahalı (pah-hah-luh)
37. Discount – İndirim (een-dee-reem)
38. Receipt – Fiş (feesh)
39. Bag – Çanta (chahn-tah)
40. Gift – Hediye (heh-dee-yeh)

Numbers and Counting

Being able to count and understand numbers is useful for shopping, dining, and traveling.

41. One – Bir (beer)
42. Two – İki (ee-kee)
43. Three – Üç (ooch)
44. Four – Dört (dert)
45. Five – Beş (besh)
46. Six – Altı (ahl-tuh)
47. Seven – Yedi (yeh-dee)
48. Eight – Sekiz (seh-keez)
49. Nine – Dokuz (doh-kooz)
50. Ten – On (ohn)

Emergencies

In case of an emergency, these phrases will help you get the assistance you need.

51. Help! – İmdat! (eem-daht)
52. Call the police – Polisi arayın (poh-lee-see ah-rah-yuhn)
53. I’m lost – Kayboldum (kai-bohl-doom)
54. I need a doctor – Doktora ihtiyacım var (dok-toh-rah eek-tee-ah-jeem vahr)
55. Fire – Yangın (yahn-guhn)
56. Stop – Dur (door)
57. Danger – Tehlike (teh-lee-keh)
58. Where is the hospital? – Hastane nerede? (hah-stah-neh neh-reh-deh)
59. I am sick – Hastayım (hahs-tah-yuhm)
60. I have an allergy – Alerjim var (ah-lehr-jeem vahr)

Colors

Knowing the colors can be handy when shopping or describing objects.

61. Red – Kırmızı (kuhr-muh-zuh)
62. Blue – Mavi (mah-vee)
63. Green – Yeşil (yeh-sheel)
64. Yellow – Sarı (sah-ruh)
65. Black – Siyah (see-yah)
66. White – Beyaz (beh-yahz)
67. Orange – Turuncu (too-roon-joo)
68. Purple – Mor (mohr)
69. Pink – Pembe (pehm-beh)
70. Brown – Kahverengi (kah-veh-rehn-gee)

Time and Dates

These phrases will help you understand and communicate time and dates.

71. What time is it? – Saat kaç? (sah-aht kahch)
72. Today – Bugün (boo-goon)
73. Tomorrow – Yarın (yah-ruhn)
74. Yesterday – Dün (duhn)
75. Morning – Sabah (sah-bah)
76. Afternoon – Öğleden sonra (oh-leh-dehn sohn-rah)
77. Evening – Akşam (ahk-shahm)
78. Night – Gece (geh-jeh)
79. Week – Hafta (hahf-tah)
80. Month – Ay (eye)

Family and Relationships

These phrases can help you talk about family and relationships.

81. Mother – Anne (ahn-neh)
82. Father – Baba (bah-bah)
83. Brother – Erkek kardeş (ehr-kehk kahr-desh)
84. Sister – Kız kardeş (kuhz kahr-desh)
85. Friend – Arkadaş (ahr-kah-dahsh)
86. Husband – Koca (koh-jah)
87. Wife – Karı (kah-ruh)
88. Son – Oğul (oh-ool)
89. Daughter – Kız (kuhz)
90. Family – Aile (ah-ee-leh)

Weather

Talking about the weather is a common conversation starter.

91. How’s the weather? – Hava nasıl? (hah-vah nah-suhl)
92. Hot – Sıcak (suh-jahk)
93. Cold – Soğuk (soh-ook)
94. Rain – Yağmur (yah-moor)
95. Snow – Kar (kahr)
96. Sunny – Güneşli (gyoo-nesh-lee)
97. Cloudy – Bulutlu (boo-loot-loo)
98. Windy – Rüzgarlı (rooz-gahr-luh)
99. Storm – Fırtına (fuhr-tuh-nah)
100. Fog – Sis (sees)

10 Most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Learning Turkish

1. How long does it take to learn basic Turkish?Learning basic Turkish can take a few months with consistent practice, focusing on common Turkish phrases and daily usage.
2. Is Turkish difficult to learn for English speakers?Turkish can be challenging due to its unique grammar structure, but it is very logical and consistent, making it easier with practice.
3. Can I get by in Turkey with just English?While many Turks in tourist areas speak English, knowing basic Turkish phrases can greatly enhance your travel experience.
4. What are the best resources for learning Turkish?Online courses, language apps, and Turkish phrasebooks are excellent resources for learning common Turkish phrases and basic grammar.
5. How important is pronunciation in Turkish?Pronunciation is crucial in Turkish as it can affect the meaning of words, so practicing common Turkish phrases with correct pronunciation is important.
6. What are some tips for learning Turkish quickly?Immersing yourself in the language through listening to Turkish music, watching Turkish movies, and practicing common Turkish phrases daily can help you learn quickly.
7. Is it necessary to learn Turkish to visit Turkey?While it’s not necessary, learning common Turkish phrases can make your trip more enjoyable and help you connect with locals.
8. Are there major dialect differences in Turkish?Turkish has regional accents, but standard Turkish is understood nationwide, and common Turkish phrases are universally used.
9. How can I practice speaking Turkish?Engage in conversations with native speakers, join language exchange programs, and use language apps to practice speaking Turkish.
10. What are the most useful Turkish phrases for tourists?Basic greetings, asking for directions, ordering food, and common expressions like “please” and “thank you” are the most useful Turkish phrases for tourists.

Tourist Experiences with Turkish

John from USA: “Knowing basic Turkish phrases made my interactions with locals much smoother and more enjoyable.”

Maria from Spain: “I felt more connected to the culture and people by speaking their language, even just a little.”

Li from China: “Using common Turkish phrases helped me navigate the bustling markets and haggle prices.”

Anna from Germany: “I was able to find my way around the city easily by asking for directions in Turkish.”

Paul from Australia: “Speaking Turkish allowed me to experience Turkish hospitality more deeply and make new friends.”

Sophie from France: “Ordering food in Turkish made dining experiences richer and more fun.”

Carlos from Mexico: “Even though many people spoke English, speaking Turkish helped me bond with locals, and I learned more about their daily lives.”

Emily from Canada: “At a local market, knowing how to ask ‘How much is this?’ helped me avoid overpaying for souvenirs.”

Lars from Sweden: “When I needed medical help, knowing basic Turkish phrases for emergencies ensured I got the assistance I needed quickly.”

Isabella from Italy: “I felt more confident traveling alone in Turkey because I could communicate basic needs and understand responses in Turkish.”

Cultural Tips and Etiquette in Turkey

Greetings and Social Interactions

Understanding how to greet people and interact in social situations can help you show respect and avoid misunderstandings.

• Handshakes: Handshakes are common, but they should be gentle. Among friends and family, a kiss on both cheeks is customary.
• Titles and Formalities: Use titles such as “Bey” (Mr.) or “Hanım” (Mrs./Ms.) after a person’s first name to show respect.

Dress Code

Knowing how to dress appropriately can help you blend in and show respect for the local culture.

• Conservative Dress: In general, dress modestly, especially when visiting mosques or rural areas. Women may need to cover their heads in some religious sites.
• Shoes: It is customary to remove your shoes when entering someone’s home.

Dining Etiquette

Understanding dining customs can enhance your experience and help you navigate social situations more smoothly.

• Invitations: If you are invited to a Turkish home, it is polite to bring a small gift such as flowers or sweets.
• Seating: Wait to be shown where to sit. The position of seating can indicate hierarchy.
• Table Manners: Use your right hand to eat, especially if eating with your hands, as the left hand is considered unclean.

Public Behavior

Being aware of acceptable public behavior can help you avoid offending anyone unintentionally.

• Public Displays of Affection: These are generally frowned upon, especially in more conservative areas.
• Politeness: Turks are known for their hospitality and politeness. Being respectful and polite in return is highly appreciated.

Religion and Traditions

Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country with rich traditions and customs.

• Prayer Times: Be aware of the five daily prayer times, and try to be respectful during these times, especially if you are near a mosque.
• Ramadan: During the holy month of Ramadan, many Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Be considerate when eating or drinking in public during this period.

Conclusion

Learning common Turkish phrases can significantly enhance your travel experience in Turkey. Not only will it help you navigate and communicate more effectively, but it will also show respect for the local culture and open up opportunities for deeper connections with the people you meet.

Share your experiences with us and let us know how speaking Turkish impacted your journey!