After hearing that someone has died, address the person who has lost them. A short condolence can stand on its own; you do not need to explain the loss or promise that the grief will pass.
The idea
Use Başın sağ olsun with one person you address as sen, and Başınız sağ olsun with someone you address as siz or with several people. The possessive form changes, but olsun stays: grammatically the wish concerns başın or başınız, not a command to the listener. Başsağlığı diliyorum is an explicit condolence that also works in a written message. A simple Teşekkür ederim can acknowledge it.
| Expression | Use |
|---|---|
| Başın sağ olsun. | One familiar person |
| Başınız sağ olsun. | Respectful address or several people |
| Başsağlığı diliyorum. | Explicit condolence, also in writing |
Examples
- Acınızı yürekten paylaşıyorum.I sincerely share your sorrow.
- Size başsağlığı diliyorum.I offer you my condolences.
- Bu zor günlerde yanınızdayız.We are here for you in these difficult days.
- Başınız sağ olsun.My condolences.
- Başın sağ olsun, sevgili arkadaşım.My condolences, dear friend.
- Hepimizin başı sağ olsun.My condolences to all of us.
- Teşekkür ederim, aramanız benim için çok değerli.Thank you; your call means a lot to me.
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Watch out
Do not substitute Geçmiş olsun when someone has died: that expression is used after illness or trouble and does not perform the same condolence function. Write sağ olsun separately, even though the noun başsağlığı is one word. Politeness does not turn this phrase into Başınız sağ olun.
Try it yourself
Complete for one close friend: ___ sağ olsun. Use the appropriate form of baş.
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başın
başın: the prompt specifies one close friend, so the possessive ending identifies the familiar singular listener. The vowel is dotless ı after baş.
Complete for a person you address formally: ___ sağ olsun. Use the appropriate form of baş.
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başınız
başınız: the formal address calls for the respectful possessive form even when only one person is listening. Keep olsun unchanged.
Correct the spacing: Başınız sağolsun. Write the whole sentence.
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Başınız sağ olsun
Başınız sağ olsun: the correction separates sağ from olsun. This is a phrase of three words, not a single verb with a prefix.
Complete with the one-word noun meaning condolence: Size ___ diliyorum.
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başsağlığı
başsağlığı: the blank needs the noun naming the condolence, because diliyorum supplies the verb. The noun is written together and has two occurrences of ğ.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Turkish sentences and words where available. We keep your score.
Complete for one close friend: ___ sağ olsun. Use the appropriate form of baş.
Complete for a person you address formally: ___ sağ olsun. Use the appropriate form of baş.
Correct the spacing: Başınız sağolsun. Write the whole sentence.
Complete with the one-word noun meaning condolence: Size ___ diliyorum.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Using fictional situations, write a two-sentence condolence to a close friend and another to someone you address formally. Add a brief reply to one. Check the address form and the spaces; no personal experience is needed.