How do you say greetings in Turkish?

Istanbul | © Casal Partiu / Flickr

No one is expecting you to speak fluent Turkish when youre visiting Turkey, but knowing a few words will help you connect with the locals and get around the country a bit easier. Check out our list of 21 essential phrases that every visitor to Turkey should be familiar with.

Merhaba (mehr-hah-bah) / Hello

Definitely one of the most useful words while youre in Turkey, the first encounter with anyone begins with this word, and the fact that its so easy to pronounce is a plus.

Istanbul | © Casal Partiu / Flickr

Hoşgeldin (Hosh-gel-duhn) / Welcome

When you get off the plane, youll probably come across this word in the airport and will continue to hear it often when people welcome you to their homes or stores. The proper response to this is Hoşbulbum (hosh-bul-dum), which roughly translates to I feel welcomed.

Günaydın (gew-nahy-duhn) / Good morning

This phrase is another great greeting that can be used when its morning and you want to be extra polite.

İyi akşamlar/geceler (ee-yee ahk-sham-lar / geh-jeh-lehr) / Good evening/night

There is a difference between these two because iyi geceler is only used when youre about to go to bed, while iyi akşamlar is used to greet or bid farewell to someone when its nighttime.

Nasılsınız (nahs-sujl-suh-nuhz) / How are you?

In Turkish, the ız formal suffix is always used when youre addressing someone who you dont know, but in this case, if you know the person, you can also just say nasılsın.

Grand Bazaar | © Miguel Virkkunen Carvalho / Flickr

İyiyim, teşekkürler (ee-yee-yim tesh-ek-kewr eh-dehr-eem) / Im good, thank you

This phrase is the standard response when someone asks you how you are, plus now you also know how to say thank you.

Güle Güle (gew-leh gew-leh) / Goodbye

If youd rather avoid the whole morning and evening scenarios, then opt for the simple goodbye when youre leaving and want to bid farewell.

Lütfen (lewt-fehn) / Please

Please and thank you are the essential polite words in any language, so its good to know them in Turkish as well.

Affedersiniz (af-feh-dehr-see-neez) / Pardon me

If youre on a crowded metro and need to get off, you can use this to politely gesture, or just say it to get someones attention if you want to ask them something.

Istanbul | © Casal Partiu / Flickr

Bir şey değil (beer-shey deh-yeel) / Youre welcome

Bir şey değil literally translates to its nothing, and it is the best way to respond when someone thanks you for something.

Efendim (eh-fen-deem) / Pardon

When you want someone to repeat themselves because you didnt hear them, you can use this word. Some people also prefer to answer the phone using this word.

Adınız ne (ah-duh-nuz neh) / What is your name?

The formal suffix is once again used here. When youre asking for someones name, its polite to address them in the formal tone.

Adım (ah-duhm) / My name is

Of course, once youve asked someone their name, youll want to tell them yours, and this is the way to do it (just add your name at the end).

Tuvalet Nerede (too-wa-let ne-re-de) / Where is the bathroom?

Finding a bathroom in Turkey is never a problem; its also not frowned upon to go into restaurants and cafés and use the bathroom even though youre not a customer.

Sağ Sapın / Sol Sapın (sah sap-ihn sol sap-ihn) / Turn Right/Turn Left

When you get into a cab and want to direct the driver in the right direction, then make sure you know your left from your right in Turkish.

Düz Gidelim (dewz gee-de-leem) / Straight Ahead

Düz Gidelim is another important phrase to know in the taxi when you dont want your driver making any sudden turns and continue on the current path.

Ne Kadar (ne ka-dahr) / How much?

When youre shopping in the Grand Bazaar, or any other place, this is a great phrase to know when you want the price of something.

Bakar mısınız (bah-car mih-see-neez) / Excuse me

When youre at a restaurant and need to get a waiters attention, you can use this phrase so that they come to the table.

Hesap Lütfen (he-sahp lewt-fehn) / The check please

When youre at a restaurant and want to pay up and go, you can use the previously mentioned phase to get your waiters attention, and then ask for the check.

Çok Pahalı (tshok pah-hah-lee) / Too expensive

Youll often use this particular expression at the Grand Bazaar when youre getting ready to haggle for the price; the next step would be to walk away until the seller gives you a more reasonable price.

Acıktım (ah-jig-teem) / Im hungry

When its time for something to eat, you can tell everyone around you that your stomach is ready for some delicious Turkish food.