Turkish A2: everyday Turkish

What you will learn at this level

• Build words from several suffixes, such as evlerimizden
• Talk about plans, ability and obligation with the future, -ebil- and -meli
• Link ideas with çünkü, için and bu yüzden
• Handle travel, shops and family conversations, and read a short story

Lessons at this level

1. -ir / -ar / -er: the aorist (gelir, yapar)Turkish suffixesGelir, yapar, okur: the Turkish general present. See when the suffix is -r, -ir or -ar, and why git turns into gider.
2. Aorist person endings: -im, -sin, -iz, -siniz, -lerTurkish suffixesSay who usually does something: -im, -sin, no ending, -iz, -siniz and -ler/-lar after the aorist, with the vowel harmony behind gelirim, yaparsın and görürsünüz.
3. -mez / -maz: the negative aoristTurkish suffixesGelmez, yapmam, içmeyiz: build the negative aorist with -mez/-maz and see why the first person drops the z, so it is gelmem and yapmam, not gelmezim.
4. -ebil- / -abil-: can and may (gelebilirim)Turkish suffixesSay what you can or may do in Turkish with -ebil-/-abil-: the two shapes, the buffer y after a vowel, and forms such as gelebilirim, okuyabilirsiniz and gidebilirim.
5. -eme / -ama: cannot, could notTurkish suffixesGelemem is not gelmem: put -eme or -ama before the tense to say you cannot do something, and see why okuyamadım and gidemem change.
6. -meli / -malı: must, have to, shouldTurkish suffixesGitmeliyim, kalkmalısın, beklemeliler: add -meli or -malı to a verb stem and then a person ending to say what you must or should do.
7. -memeli / -mamalı: must notTurkish suffixesGitmemeliyim, okumamalısın, yapmamalı: put -me/-ma and -meli/-malı on a verb stem to say what must not be done, with two shapes and six person endings.
8. -mek / -mak: the infinitiveTurkish suffixesYazmak, görmek, uyumak: why Turkish dictionary verbs end in -mek or -mak, how the last vowel of the stem chooses, and how the infinitive follows verbs like want.
9. Was and were: -di after nouns (öğrenciydim)Turkish suffixesÖğrenciydim, evdeydik, soğuktu: how Turkish puts a noun, an adjective or a place into the past with -di, -dı, -du, -dü, their t forms and the y after a vowel.
10. -miş / -mış / -müş / -muş: the reported pastTurkish suffixesGelmiş means 'he came, I hear': build the reported past with -miş, -mış, -müş or -muş, add the person endings, and see when the -di past is the better choice.
11. -dir / -dır / -tir / -tür: is, must beTurkish suffixesTell a fact or a safe guess with -dir and its eight shapes: kapalıdır, sıcaktır, tuzludur, dürüsttür. How the last vowel and sound pick the form, and when to leave it out.
12. -lik / -lık / -luk / -lük: quality, state, jobTurkish suffixesFrom güzel to güzellik: add -lik, -lık, -luk or -lük to a word to name a quality, a state or a profession, and see why the final k softens to ğ before a vowel.
13. -ci / -cı / -çi / -çı: the person who does itTurkish suffixesWho sells it, drives it or plays it? Attach -ci, -cı, -cu, -cü or -çi, -çı, -çu, -çü to a noun to name the person, and learn which of eight shapes fits.
14. Relational -ki: evdeki, bugünkü, benimkiTurkish suffixesEvdeki, dünkü, benimki: how the suffix -ki turns a place or a time into an adjective and an owner into a pronoun, and why bugünkü is spelled with -kü.
15. -eyim / -elim: let me, let’s (gideyim, gidelim)Turkish suffixesOffer help and make suggestions in Turkish: -eyim for “let me” and “shall I”, -elim for “let’s”, with the two vowels, the buffer y and the git → gid- change.
16. -meyecek / -mayacak: will not, is not going toTurkish suffixesGelmeyeceğim, yapmayacağız: add -me/-ma before -yecek/-yacak to say what will not happen, and see why the k becomes ğ.
17. -iyordu: was doing, used to doTurkish suffixesGeliyordum, yapıyordum, bekliyorlardı: add -du to the present continuous to say what was going on, and see where the plural -lar goes.
18. Suffix order: evlerimizdenTurkish suffixesStem, plural, possessive, case: why it is evlerimizden and not evimlerden, and where the linking n in evinde comes from.
19. -me / -ma: don't, the negative commandTurkish suffixesGitme and gelmeyin mean don't: add -me or -ma to the verb stem, then -yin for several people or for politeness, and see why the stem itself never changes.
20. With a pronoun: benimle, seninle, onunlaTurkish suffixesBenimle, seninle, onunla, bizimle: how -le/-la joins a personal pronoun through its genitive form, and why onlar is the one pronoun that stays plain.
21. Habits and general truths: the aoristTurkish grammarTea every morning, water freezes at zero: say what usually happens in Turkish with -ır/-ar endings, as in içerim, gelir and gideriz.
22. Aorist negative: -mez / -maz and questionsTurkish grammarGelmem, gelmezsin, gelmeyiz: build the negative aorist with -mez/-maz, see why ben and biz lose the z, and ask questions such as Gelmez misin?
23. The future with -ecek / -acakTurkish grammarTomorrow, next week, soon: build the Turkish future tense with -ecek/-acak, add the person endings, and see why gelecek becomes geleceğim.
24. Future negatives and questions: -meyecek / -mayacakTurkish grammarGitmeyeceğim, kalmayacak, gelmeyecek misin? Build the Turkish negative future, see why -me never narrows before -yecek, and ask the question with a separate mi.
25. Ali'nin evi: owner and ownedTurkish grammarAli'nin evi, kapının anahtarı: put -in on the owner and a possessive ending on the thing owned, with the right vowel and softening.
26. Noun compounds: ev kapısı and the izafetTurkish grammarHow two Turkish nouns join into one idea: only the second takes -sı or -ı, as in ev kapısı and çay bardağı, and what happens to its final consonant.
27. -ebil- / -abil-: can, may, be able toTurkish grammarYardım edebilirim means “I can help”: how the suffix -ebil- gives ability, possibility and permission, when a y is needed, and why git becomes gid.
28. Cannot: the inability form -eme / -amaTurkish grammarGelemiyorum or gelmiyorum? Say in Turkish that you cannot do something with -eme/-ama in the present, past and aorist, and keep it apart from a plain negative.
29. -meli / -malı: should and mustTurkish grammarWhat should you do tomorrow? Add -meli or -malı to the verb stem, then the person ending, and say what you, we or a friend should or have to do.
30. gerek, lazım, zorunda: must and need toTurkish grammarGitmem gerek, gitmen lazım, gitmek zorundayım: say what you must do, put the person ending on the right word, and say you need not with gerek yok.
31. Than in Turkish: daha and -den / -danTurkish grammarElif senden daha genç: build 'younger than you' with daha and the ablative, and see why Turkish has no separate word for 'than' and how the compared word changes.
32. en güzel, en büyük: the superlativeTurkish grammarEn güzel, en hızlı, en çok: say 'the most' with one small word before an adjective, and see which endings go on the noun that follows.
33. Adverbs of degree: çok, az, biraz, fazlaTurkish grammarÇok yorgun, biraz süt, fazla tuzlu: choose between very, a little, little and too much, and put the degree word right before the word it changes.
34. gibi, kadar, için: like, as much as, forTurkish grammarFor my grandfather, like me, until evening: how gibi, kadar and için follow a noun, why ben becomes benim before them, and when kadar means “until”.
35. Reasons and results: çünkü, için and bu yüzdenTurkish grammarÇünkü gives the reason, bu yüzden gives the result, and için links a noun to its purpose. Learn which goes where, and why it is benim için, not ben için.
36. Suggestions and offers: let's and shall ITurkish grammarAçalım mı, açayım mı? Learn when -elim means we and -eyim means I, how to ask Shall we? and Shall I?, and how to say let's not with -meyelim.
37. Asking permission and politely: -ebilir miyimTurkish grammarMay I sit here? Build Oturabilir miyim? and Verir misiniz? to ask permission, offer help and make a polite request, with the person ending on mi.
38. Past continuous: what was happeningTurkish grammarRain was falling and the phone rang: use -yordu for the scene and -dı for the event that cuts in, as in Yağmur yağıyordu, telefon çaldı.
39. Var and yok in the past and futureTurkish grammarVardı, yoktu, olacak: say that something existed, was missing or will happen, and see why the future of var is olmak and not a new ending on var.
40. Which verbs take which caseTurkish grammarMüziği dinliyorum, not müziğe: which case does each Turkish verb ask for? A short map of dinlemek, beklemek, bakmak, korkmak, konuşmak and kalmak.
41. biri, bir şey, herkes: someone, something, everyoneTurkish grammarBiri geldi, herkes geldi, her şey hazır: the Turkish words for someone, something, everyone and everything, and why her şey is written as two words.
42. Putting events in order: önce, sonra, sonundaTurkish grammarFirst wash, then eat, finally leave: use önce, sonra and sonunda in the right place, and see why sonunda means at last and not simply then.
43. hiç, hiçbir, kimse: nobody, nothing, neverTurkish grammarSay nobody, nothing, no one and never in Turkish: how kimse, hiçbir şey, hiçbir and hiç work with a negative verb, and why Kimse geldi is wrong.
44. söylemek: to say, to tell, to singTurkish verbsWho hears it, and what is said? Tell someone something with söylemek: the listener takes -e, the thing said takes -i. Forms: söylüyorum, söyledim, söyleyeceğim.
45. bulmak: to find, to considerTurkish verbsLost key or good film? Bulmak covers both: see why its rounded u gives buluyorum and buldum, and why searching for something is aramak, not bulmak.
46. öğrenmek: to learnTurkish verbsÖğreniyorum, not öğrenüyorum: only the last vowel of the stem chooses the ending. Present, past, future and negative forms, plus öğrenmek versus öğretmek.
47. öğretmek: to teachTurkish verbsTeach or learn? Öğretmek gives knowledge and öğrenmek receives it. See its forms, the person who learns in -e/-a, and the double t in öğrettim.
48. başlamak: to begin, to startTurkish verbsA lesson, a job, a habit: what you begin takes -e/-a, and a verb before başlamak ends in -meye/-maya. Forms: başlıyorum, başladım, başlayacağım.
49. bitirmek: to finish, and how it differs from bitmekTurkish verbsÖdevi bitirdim or ödev bitti? Learn bitirmek, to finish something with an object in the accusative, its forms in three tenses, and how it differs from bitmek.
50. kalmak: to stay and to be leftTurkish verbsStay in a hotel, at a friend's place or at home: kalmak in the present, past and future, with a back-vowel stem that gives kalıyorum, kaldım and kalacağım.
51. kalkmak: to get up, to leaveTurkish verbsOne letter from kalmak: kalkmak is to get up, stand and, for trains and planes, leave. See kalktım with -tı, kalkacağım with ğ and the ablative yataktan.
52. yürümek: to walk, with yürüyorum and yürüdümTurkish verbsThe ü at the end of yürü- brings a y before -ecek and rounds every past ending: yürüyorum, yürüdüm, yürüyeceğim, yürümüyorum.
53. koşmak: to run, with a stem that never changesTurkish verbsKoşuyorum, koştum, koşacağım: the stem koş- stays put, the past takes -tu after ş, and running in a place (-da) differs from running to it (-a).
54. durmak: to stop and to stand stillTurkish verbsDur! is only the start: durmak gives duruyorum, durdum and duracağım, and it never takes an object (that needs durdurmak).
55. beklemek: to wait for someone or somethingTurkish verbsWaiting for a bus or a friend: beklemek has no word for "for", its object ends in -i, and the e of bekle- drops in bekliyorum but returns in bekledim.
56. aramak: to look for, to callTurkish verbsCalling your mother or hunting for keys? Aramak does both: see arıyorum, aradım and arayacağız, and why the person you phone takes the accusative.
57. açmak: to open and to turn onTurkish verbsBecause aç- ends in a voiceless ç, the past is açtım, not açdım. Learn the forms of açmak, when it means turn on, and why a door that is open is açık.
58. kapatmak: to close and to switch offTurkish verbsClose a door, switch off the light, hang up on a call: kapatmak takes its object with -ı, and what closes by itself is kapanmak.
59. dinlemek: to listenTurkish verbsNot dinleyorum but dinliyorum: the final e of dinle- narrows in the present. Plus how listening on purpose, dinlemek, differs from simply hearing, duymak.
60. düşünmek: to think, with düşünüyorum and düşündümTurkish verbsSeni düşünüyorum, not sana: whom you think of takes the accusative. Plus düşünüyorum, düşündüm, düşüneceğim and düşünmüyorum with their ü.
61. sormak: to ask, to ask aboutTurkish verbsAsk a person or ask about a thing? With sormak the person takes -e/-a and the thing asked takes -i: Ali'ye sordum, Ali'yi sordum. Forms: soruyorum, sordum.
62. yaşamak: to liveTurkish verbsWhere you live and whether someone is alive: yaşamak says both. See yaşıyorum, yaşadım, yaşayacağım and yaşamıyorum, with the city in -da.
63. girmek: to enter a room, a shop or a jobTurkish verbsOdaya, not odayı: girmek takes the dative for the place you enter, and its stem gir- never changes in giriyorum, girdi and gireceğim.
64. çıkmak: to go out, leave, climb and appearTurkish verbsEvden çıkıyorum, dağa çıktık: one verb, two directions. See how -den marks the place you leave and -e/-a the one you climb, with a stem that never softens.
65. binmek: getting on a bus, a train or a horseTurkish verbsOtobüse, not otobüsü: binmek always marks the vehicle with -e/-a. Forms such as biniyorum, bindim and bineceğim, plus how it differs from inmek.
66. inmek: to get off and to go downTurkish verbsDown the stairs, off the bus, onto the runway: inmek covers all three. See iniyorum, indim and ineceğim, and why the vehicle you leave takes -den.
67. dönmek: to return, to turnTurkish verbsEve dönüyorum, sağa dön: the ö keeps rounding the endings (dönüyor, döndü, dönmüyor), and the place you return to takes the dative -e/-a.
68. gülmek: to laugh, and laugh atTurkish verbsBana gülme means don't laugh at me: the person laughed at takes -e/-a. Also gülüyorum, güldüm, güleceğim and the negative gülmüyorum.
69. ağlamak: to cry, and the soft ğ that staysTurkish verbsAğlıyorum, ağladım, ağlayacağım: the stem ağla- keeps its soft ğ and loses its final a before -yor. Learn to say who cries, when, and about what.
70. giymek: to wear, to put onTurkish verbsCoat, dress or shoes: giymek is the verb for clothes. See giyiyorum, giydim and giyeceğim, and why glasses and watches take takmak.
71. satmak: to sellTurkish verbsSattım, not satdım: the voiceless t of sat- decides the past ending. Learn the forms of satmak, who gets what you sell, and how it differs from satın almak.
72. ödemek: to payTurkish verbsPaying a bill in Turkish: conjugate ödemek in three tenses and see why its stem becomes ödüyor- in the present and ödeyeceğim in the future.
73. buluşmak: to meet up with someoneTurkish verbsMeeting a friend at six? Buluşmak marks the person with ile/-le, not the accusative: seninle buluşuyorum. Forms such as buluştum and buluşacağız.
74. tanışmak: to meet someone, and the ile it needsTurkish verbsAyşe'yle tanıştım, not Ayşe'yi: tanışmak never takes an object. Learn tanıştım, tanışıyorum and tanışacağım, and how -le/-la marks the person you meet.
75. geçmek: passing, crossing and time going byTurkish verbsSınavdan geçtim, yoldan geçiyor: geçmek takes the ablative for what you pass, plus geçiyorum, geçtim, geçeceğim and why it is not "to spend time".
76. gezmek: to stroll, to tour, with geziyorum and gezdimTurkish verbsMüzeyi gezdim, not müzeye: what you tour takes the accusative, while a place to wander in takes -de/-da. Forms: geziyorum, gezdim, gezeceğim.
77. yıkamak: washing hands, dishes and the carTurkish verbsEllerimi yıkıyorum or duvarı yıkıyorlar? The present of yıkamak (wash) looks like yıkmak (demolish); the past, yıkadım against yıktım, keeps them apart.
78. pişirmek: to cookTurkish verbsCooking something versus being cooked: pişirmek puts you in charge, pişmek lets the food do it. Conjugate pişirmek and avoid the common mix-up.
79. uçmak: to flyTurkish verbsUçuyorum, uçtum, uçacağım: how uçmak (to fly) rounds -iyor to -uyor after u, takes a t in the past and softens k to ğ in the future.
80. yüzmek: to swim, and whereTurkish verbsDenizde yüzüyorum or denize yüzüyorum? In the sea takes -de, to the shore takes -e. Plus yüzüyorum, yüzdüm, yüzeceğim and the negative yüzmüyorum.
81. şehir (city): şehre, şehri, şehrimizTurkish nounsŞehrim, not şehirim: the i of şehir drops before an ending that starts with a vowel (şehri, şehre, şehrimiz) but stays in şehirde, şehirden and şehirler.
82. kapı (door): kapıyı, kapıya, kapısıTurkish nounsWords that end in a vowel need a joining y or n: see why kapı becomes kapıya and kapıyı, but kapısına, with every form in one table.
83. pencere (window): pencereye, pencereden, penceresiTurkish nounsPencereye or pencereden? Looking at a window and looking out of it use different cases; see every ending of pencere (window) with front-vowel harmony.
84. sokak (street): sokağa, sokakta, sokaklarTurkish nounsSokakta or sokağta? Build the forms of sokak (street), see why the k becomes ğ before vowels only, and how a street name like Gül Sokağı'nda takes its endings.
85. yol: road, way, and the endings it takesTurkish nounsRoad, way or route: see how yol takes plural, possessive and case endings (yollar, yolum, yolda, yoldan) and how to say “the road to school” in Turkish.
86. otobüs: bus, and why it takes -te and -tenTurkish nounsOtobüste or otobüsde? See why the final s of otobüs (bus) calls for -te and -ten, never softens, and why you board otobüse.
87. çocuk (child): çocuğa, çocukta, çocuklarıTurkish nounsDoes çocukları mean the children or their child? See how çocuk (child) softens its k, which endings fit, and why the same spelling can mean different things.
88. anne: mother, my mother, to her motherTurkish nounsAnneyi, annesini, annesinden: follow anne through the cases, the plural and the possessives, and see where the joining letters y and n appear.
89. kardeş (sibling): kardeşim, kardeşte, kardeştenTurkish nounsOne word covers brother and sister: kardeş. See its plural, possessive and case forms, and why the ş turns -de into -te in kardeşte and kardeşten.
90. öğretmen: teacher, and the ending that means two thingsTurkish nounsÖğretmenim can mean “my teacher” or “I am a teacher”. See how öğretmen, a noun ending in n with a front last vowel, takes -ler, -e, -de, -den and -imiz.
91. doktor (doctor): doktorum, doktora, doktordanTurkish nounsDoktorum can mean my doctor or I am a doctor. See how doktor takes plural, possessive and case endings after its back vowel o, with no softening.
92. telefon (phone): telefonlar, telefonda, telefonumTurkish nounsWhy does telefon, with an e at the start, take -lar and -da instead of -ler and -de? Build its plural, possessive and case forms and the phrase telefonla.
93. çanta (bag): çantam, çantayı, çantasındaTurkish nounsÇantam, çantan, çantası: see how a word ending in -a takes possessives without an extra vowel, and why the case ending comes after them (çantamda).
94. ayakkabı: shoes, my shoes, in the shoeTurkish nounsTwo pairs, one noun: build ayakkabı with -lar, -yı, -ya, -da and -dan, and see why it stays singular after a number and why kk stays double.
95. gömlek: shirt, gömleğim and gömlekteTurkish nounsGömleğim or gömlekim? Choose the ending for a shirt you wear, iron or sew, and see why gömlek softens before vowels but stays in gömlekte and gömlekler.
96. yemek: meal, dish and akşam yemeğiTurkish nounsAkşam yemeği or akşam yemek? See why dinner needs the -i of a compound, how yemek becomes yemeği, yemeğe and yemeğin, and why the plural stays yemekler.
97. süt (milk): sütü, süte, süttenTurkish nounsSütte, not südde: milk keeps its hard t before every ending, while the vowel turns round in sütü, sütüm and sütümüzden. Every common form of süt in one table.
98. peynir: cheese and its endingsTurkish nounsPeyniri or peynir? See how cheese takes its endings without changing, and when the object needs -i and when the bare word is right.
99. elma (apple): elma yedim, elmayı yedimTurkish nounsElma yedim or elmayı yedim? See when the noun elma (apple) takes the accusative, why it stays singular after a number, and how elma suyu and elmalı are built.
100. hava: weather, air and its endingsTurkish nounsBugün hava güzel: hava means both weather and air, with no word for “it”. See havada, havaya, havası, havalar and the phrase hava almak.
101. zaman (time): zamanım, zamanda, zamanındaTurkish nounsSaat kaç? is not zaman kaç. Build zamanım, zamanda and zamanında, and see why clock time is saat, counted times are kez, and zaman never softens.
102. iş (work): işe, işte, iştenTurkish nounsGoing to work, being at work, coming home from it: işe, işte, işten. See why iş takes -te and -ten after its voiceless ş, and what işte means when it starts a sentence.
103. yer (place): yerde, yerim, yerindeTurkish nounsYerde means on the floor, yerinde means in its place: build every form of yer (place) and see why an n appears after the possessive -i.
104. gün: day, günü, günde, günlerTurkish nounsCuma günü, not cuma günde: build the forms of gün (day) with plural, possessive and cases, and see why days of the week take the ending -ü.
105. Seasons: ilkbahar, yaz, sonbahar and kışTurkish word setsYazın or yazda? The four Turkish seasons, ilkbahar, yaz, sonbahar and kış, and the endings that make 'in summer' and 'in winter'.
106. Weather words: hava, yağmak and -lıTurkish word setsHava nasıl? Weather words from güneş to fırtına, adjectives like yağmurlu, and why you say Üşüyorum and not Ben soğuğum.
107. Places in town: banka, postane, parkTurkish word setsBanka, postane, hastane, park: name fourteen town places, answer Nerede? with -da or -de, and see why it is markette and parkta, never marketde.
108. Vehicles in Turkish: getting around townTurkish word setsBus, train, ferry or bicycle: name twelve vehicles in Turkish, describe your journey and practise the different endings for boarding and getting off.
109. Furniture and household items: masa, dolap, koltukTurkish word setsMasanın üstünde, dolabın içinde: name a dozen pieces of furniture and say where they stand, including the k→ğ and p→b changes in koltuğun and dolabın.
110. Numbers 21 to 1000: tens, hundreds and binTurkish word setsOtuz, kırk, elli: name the tens, build 125 or 2026 word by word, and see why Turkish says yüz lira, not bir yüz lira, for prices and years.
111. Parts of the day: sabah, öğle, akşam, geceTurkish word setsSabah, öğle, akşam, gece: name the parts of the day, say bu sabah and dün gece, and see why they take no locative ending: sabah, never sabahta.
112. Sports and hobbies: oynamak or yapmak?Turkish word setsFutbol oynamak but yoga yapmak: learn sports and hobby words and the verb each one takes, plus yüzmek, koşmak and bisiklete binmek.
113. İyi geceler and iyi akşamlar: good night, good eveningHow to say it in TurkishLeaving at night or arriving in the evening? İyi geceler and iyi akşamlar split on exactly that, with the replies sana da and size de.
114. Nice to meet you: memnun oldum and tanıştığımıza memnun oldumHow to say it in TurkishMeeting someone new? Answer memnun oldum, add tanıştığımıza to sound warmer, reply ben de, and know why the phrase is in the past tense.
115. Welcome: hoş geldiniz and hoş buldukHow to say it in TurkishGreet a guest with hoş geldin or hoş geldiniz, name the place in the dative, as in Türkiye'ye, and answer hoş bulduk when it is you who arrives.
116. Happy birthday: doğum günün kutlu olsunHow to say it in TurkishDoğum günün kutlu olsun and iyi ki doğdun both wish a happy birthday. See what the -ün on günün does, how to make it polite with -ünüz, and which wish suits whom.
117. Congratulations: tebrikler, tebrik ederim, kutlarımHow to say it in TurkishSeni tebrik ederim, never sana: learn tebrikler, tebrik ederim and kutlarım, name the reason with için, and wish luck on something new with hayırlı olsun.
118. Get well soon: geçmiş olsunHow to say it in TurkishGeçmiş olsun means 'may it be past'. Learn to wish someone well after illness or trouble, send the wish on to their mother, and answer with sağ ol.
119. I love you: seni seviyorumHow to say it in TurkishSeni seviyorum needs seni, not sen: the person you love is the object. See how ben, sen and o change in that form, then say it yourself.
120. Speak more slowly: daha yavaş konuşabilir misiniz?How to say it in TurkishDaha yavaş konuşabilir misiniz? Build this polite request from a verb stem, -ebil, -ir and mi, and choose between misiniz for strangers and misin for friends.
121. Can you help me? Asking with edebilir misinizHow to say it in TurkishBana yardım edebilir misiniz? is the polite request: yardım, a form of et- with the ability ending, then mi. Learn why et- becomes ed- and why bana takes -a.
122. See you later: görüşürüz with a time wordHow to say it in TurkishYarın, pazartesi or haftaya plus görüşürüz makes a casual see-you-later with a time; learn how görüşelim differs, and the formal görüşmek üzere.
123. Talking about hobbies and free timeEveryday TurkishMüzik dinlemeyi severim: say what you like doing with -meyi and -mayı, ask about free time with boş zamanlarında ne yaparsın, and avoid the yüzmek seviyorum slip.
124. Making plans and invitationsEveryday TurkishYürüyüşe çıkalım mı? Invite with -elim mi and gelir misin, accept with olur, and refuse politely with maalesef and a reason.
125. Talking about the weatherEveryday TurkishYağmur yağıyor! Describe today's weather with hava plus an adjective, ask whether it will snow tomorrow, and see why üşüyorum is how you say you are cold.
126. Buying clothes: trying on and sizesEveryday TurkishFind your size in a Turkish shop: ask to try something on, say it is too big or too tight with bana, and ask for another size or colour.
127. Taking a taxi: where to, how much, stop hereEveryday TurkishTell the driver Bu adrese gidiyoruz, ask Ne kadar tutar? and request a stop with Burada durabilir misiniz?, and see why köprüye kadar needs the dative.
128. Booking a hotel room: oda var mı?Everyday TurkishOdanız var mı? Book a hotel room in Turkish: ask for a room for two nights, check breakfast with dahil mi and keep the particle mi written apart.
129. Başım ağrıyor: at the doctorEveryday TurkishBaşım ağrıyor means my head hurts: name the body part with -ım, add ağrıyor, answer Neyiniz var? and say ateşim var or öksürüğüm var.
130. At the pharmacy: asking for medicine and dosesEveryday TurkishAğrı kesiciniz var mı? Ask a pharmacist for a medicine and understand phrases such as günde iki kez, iki günde bir and yemekten sonra.
131. Phone callsEveryday TurkishAlo, Ayşe'yle konuşabilir miyim? Answer a call, ask for someone with -le/-la, leave a message and end the call politely in Turkish.
132. bu, şu and o: this, that and that oneEasily confused Turkish wordsWhich pointing word fits? Use bu for what is in your hand, şu for what is by your listener or about to be said, and o for what is far away or already known.
133. değil and yok: two ways to say noEasily confused Turkish wordsIs it Bu kitap değil or Kitap yok? Learn which Turkish word denies what a thing is and which denies that it exists, with short contrast sentences to practise.
134. gitmek or gelmek: go or come?Easily confused Turkish wordsChoose between gitmek and gelmek by asking where the speaker or listener stands: movement away from that point or toward it, with the case each verb takes.
135. bilmek or tanımak: knowing a fact, knowing a personEasily confused Turkish wordsAdresi biliyorum, but onu tanıyorum: Turkish splits English "know" into bilmek for facts and skills and tanımak for people and places. See which one fits.
136. görmek or bakmak: to see or to lookEasily confused Turkish wordsHaritaya bakıyorum or haritayı görüyorum? Learn how görmek and bakmak differ in meaning and in the case of the thing they point to.
137. dinlemek and duymak: listening versus hearingEasily confused Turkish wordsI heard you, but I am not listening: see how Turkish separates choosing to listen (dinlemek) from a sound simply reaching you (duymak), with examples and practice.
138. konuşmak or söylemek: speak or sayEasily confused Turkish wordsDoes a person speak Turkish or say it? Learn when Turkish uses konuşmak for talking and söylemek for telling, with short contrast sentences to practise.
139. istemek or lazım: I want, I needEasily confused Turkish wordsSu istiyorum or Bana su lazım? Learn how Turkish says want with a verb and need with lazım, and why the person moves to bana, sana and ona.
140. biraz and az: a little or too littleEasily confused Turkish wordsBiraz Türkçe konuşuyorum or Az Türkçe konuşuyorum? See how biraz offers a modest amount and az warns of a shortage, with short Turkish pairs to practise.
141. hâlâ and artık: still or no longerEasily confused Turkish wordsHâlâ uyuyor or artık uyumuyor? See how hâlâ says a situation goes on, how artık says it has changed or ended, and how a negative verb flips the meaning.
142. yeni or genç: new things, young peopleEasily confused Turkish wordsA phone is yeni, a person is genç: learn which Turkish adjective fits things and which fits age, and why a new neighbour need not be young.
143. güzel or iyi: lovely versus goodEasily confused Turkish wordsA pretty café with weak coffee shows the split: güzel praises what is pleasant to see, hear or taste, iyi praises quality, skill, health and kind behaviour.
144. büyük vs yüksek: big, old or highEasily confused Turkish wordsA big city but a high price: when Turkish says büyük for size and age, and yüksek for height, loud sounds and high levels.
145. öğrenmek and öğretmek: learning versus teachingEasily confused Turkish wordsAli'den öğrendim or Ali'ye öğrettim? Learn which Turkish verb means to learn and which means to teach, and how the person you learn from or teach is marked.
146. oturmak or yaşamak: sit, reside or liveEasily confused Turkish wordsNerede oturuyorsun? asks about your home, not your chair. See when Turkish uses oturmak for sitting or an address and yaşamak for life and places.
147. sevmek or hoşlanmak: loving or likingEasily confused Turkish wordsSeviyorum or hoşlanıyorum? See how Turkish uses sevmek for love and general liking and hoşlanmak for pleasure in something, and which ending each verb needs.
148. Aorist or present continuous: -ir or -iyorEasily confused Turkish wordsYağmur yağıyor or Kışın kar yağar? Learn when Turkish uses -iyor for what is happening now and the aorist -ir for habits and general facts, with short contrast sentences.
149. çünkü and bu yüzden: because versus thereforeEasily confused Turkish wordsYorgunum, bu yüzden eve gidiyorum or eve gidiyorum, çünkü yorgunum? Learn which Turkish link introduces the reason, which one the result, and why they never swap places.
150. ne or hangi: what or whichEasily confused Turkish wordsMutfakta ne var? or Hangi çantayı alıyorsun? Learn when Turkish asks an open question with ne and when it asks you to choose with hangi.
151. Abi and abla: calling someone a bit olderTurkish from TV seriesAli abi, Selin abla, kardeşim: which fits an older man, an older woman or a younger person, and how the word changes when you mean your own sibling.
152. Hanım, Bey and Efendi: polite address after a nameTurkish from TV seriesAyşe Hanım or Hanım Ayşe? See why Hanım and Bey follow a first name, how hanımefendi works alone, and where case endings go when a title is used.
153. Canım, aşkım, hayatım: terms of endearmentTurkish from TV seriesHear what canım, aşkım, hayatım and tatlım mean, who says them to whom, and how the ending -ım turns a noun such as bebek into bebeğim.
154. Amca, dayı, hala and teyze: which relative is whichTurkish from TV seriesAmcam or dayım? Learn which Turkish word names your father's brother, father's sister, mother's brother and mother's sister, and when strangers are called amca or teyze.
155. Turkish wishes for recovery, new beginnings and lossTurkish from TV seriesA new home calls for a different wish from an illness or a death. Choose the right Turkish phrase and practise informal and polite condolences.
156. Saying sorry: özür dilerim, affedersiniz, kusura bakmaTurkish from TV seriesWhich sorry fits? Özür dilerim for a real mistake, affedersiniz for squeezing past a stranger, kusura bakma for a friend. Learn all three and who hears each one.
157. Turkish exclamations: surprise, disbelief and confirmationTurkish from TV seriesA thousand lira for one ticket? React to surprising news in Turkish, distinguish admiration from disbelief, and ask for confirmation without sounding dismissive.
158. Spoken ya: insistence, reminders and disbeliefTurkish from TV seriesOne small ya can turn a statement into a reminder or a complaint. Compare everyday replies and work out why Bırak ya! need not mean “let go”.
159. Three small words that guide Turkish conversationTurkish from TV seriesA clarification, a discovery, a reminder: follow three common Turkish conversation words through original exchanges and choose them by context.
160. Short commands in tense Turkish dialogueTurkish from TV seriesA single word can stop someone, direct their gaze or send them away. Practise four Turkish commands and choose a reply that fits the action.
161. Chat messages on screen: restoring the full wordsTurkish from TV seriesA phone screen flashes a short Turkish reply: decode three chat abbreviations, restore full spelling and follow an original exchange about meeting at a door.
162. Offering tea: accepting and declining at homeTurkish from TV seriesA glass of tea starts a small exchange: offer a drink or cake in Turkish, accept clearly, decline with thanks, and distinguish handing over from wishing enjoyment.
163. Comfort a friend: don’t cry, don’t be afraidTurkish from TV seriesTears, fear or worry? Pick a Turkish comfort phrase that fits the feeling, add a short reassurance, and practise with original everyday dialogues.
164. Missing someone and saying you love themTurkish from TV seriesA reunion begins with missing someone. Express longing and love in Turkish, distinguish “you” from “me”, and return the feeling in an original short exchange.
165. Giving and accepting compliments in TurkishTurkish from TV seriesA lovely jacket, a flattering colour, a kind reply: practise Turkish compliments and choose a natural thank-you in an original exchange between friends.
166. Engagement and wedding words in Turkish dramaTurkish from TV seriesAn engagement party or a wedding? Identify the celebration and the couple in original Turkish exchanges, then distinguish “my fiancé” from “I am engaged”.
167. Neighbours and the street: people, buildings and flatsTurkish from TV seriesBehind one front door is a flat; around it is a neighbourhood. Sort Turkish words for neighbours, streets and buildings, then follow an original doorstep exchange.
168. Follow a Turkish scene in three viewingsTurkish from TV seriesOne short scene, three different jobs: follow the action, check Turkish subtitles, then listen without them and keep a small word log.
169. Turkish suffix chains through English eyesFrom your language to TurkishOne Turkish word can carry a whole English phrase. Unpack possession, location and person, and tell a noun phrase from a complete sentence.
170. Turkish print through Arabic readers’ eyesFrom your language to TurkishAn Arabic paragraph can contain a Turkish word running the other way. Practise left-to-right reading, written vowels and the difference between dotted and dotless letters.
171. Russian cases and Turkish suffixes: where they differFrom your language to TurkishRussian case names can point you toward the wrong Turkish suffix. Compare destinations, locations and objects, then choose forms from meaning and the verb.
172. Subject omission: from Spanish to TurkishFrom your language to TurkishSpanish already lets you leave out a subject pronoun. Bring that habit to Turkish, read the person in the verb ending, and avoid the trap of polite address.
173. From German cases to Turkish endings and verb positionFrom your language to TurkishGerman case labels are a useful starting point, but Turkish chooses its own endings. Compare asking, waiting and verb-final sentences with German patterns.
174. From Brazilian Portuguese prepositions to Turkish endingsFrom your language to TurkishBrazilian Portuguese puts words like em and para before a noun. Compare Turkish endings with words placed after the noun, and separate destinations from beneficiaries.
175. From Dutch subordinate clauses to Turkish verb positionFrom your language to TurkishDutch subordinate clauses offer a useful starting point for Turkish word order. Compare simple statements and reasons without treating verb-final order as absolute.
176. From French articles to Turkish nounsFrom your language to TurkishFrench masculine and feminine articles have no matching pair in Turkish. Compare a notebook, a magazine and coffee to choose an indefinite phrase or a bare noun.
177. Turkish sounds through Ukrainian spelling habitsFrom your language to TurkishUkrainian letters offer useful sound clues, but some familiar shapes mislead. Practise Turkish consonants, new vowels and dotted versus dotless spelling.
178. From Polish cases to Turkish suffix orderFrom your language to TurkishPolish case endings offer a useful starting point: compare “in our bags” with a Turkish suffix chain, then keep adjectives unchanged.
179. Turkish sounds through Italian: doubles and vowelsFrom your language to TurkishItalian consonant length gives you a useful head start in Turkish. Keep doubled sounds clear while learning the three vowel distinctions Italian spelling cannot supply.
180. Counting in Turkish: a comparison for Simplified Chinese readersFrom your language to TurkishSeven books need no classifier in Turkish. Compare Mandarin counting phrases with Turkish numbers, optional counting words, plurals and measures of water.
181. From family Turkish to clear written messagesFrom your language to TurkishFamily conversations give you a head start in Turkish. Turn shared context into clear written messages, keep natural pronoun omission and check word boundaries.
182. Getting around with an Istanbul transport cardLife in TürkiyeA card with credit, the right stop, a clear transfer question: practise the Turkish phrases that connect each step of a city journey.
183. Taxi and shared minibus: asking for a ride and a stopLife in TürkiyeA ride starts with a question: practise Turkish phrases for taxis and shared minibuses, ask the fare and request a suitable place to get off.
184. Pazar: prices, kilos and a polite discount requestLife in TürkiyeA kilo of tomatoes or the whole bag? Practise Turkish market questions, order a measured quantity and ask politely whether a discount is possible.
185. Bakkal, manav and kasap: neighbourhood shopsLife in TürkiyeA carton of milk or half a kilo of mince? Choose the right Turkish neighbourhood shop and make a short, polite request at the counter.
186. The restaurant bill: tips and change in TurkishLife in TürkiyeThe meal is over: ask for the bill in Turkish, distinguish a tip from your change, and understand what you agree to when you say Üstü kalsın.
187. Bayram gifts: clothes, pocket money and thanksLife in TürkiyeA wrapped present or a little pocket money: distinguish bayramlık from bayram harçlığı, offer a gift to a child and thank the giver in Turkish.
188. At a Turkish home: arriving as a guestLife in TürkiyeAt the doorstep, who says what? Practise the Turkish welcome exchange, ask about taking off your shoes and thank your host for the invitation.
189. Greeting customs: hands, cheeks and respectLife in TürkiyeA handshake or a cheek kiss? Describe Turkish greeting gestures, understand kissing an elder’s hand and distinguish a custom from an obligation.
190. At the pharmacy: finding help and asking againLife in TürkiyePharmacy doors closed? Practise asking for the pharmacy on duty, describing a headache and making sure you understand the reply in Turkish.
191. At the phone shop: a mobile line, data and creditLife in TürkiyeMobile data runs out, but what should you ask for? Practise getting a line, checking a package’s data and duration, and topping up in Turkish.
192. Reading a rental ad: rent, deposit and billsLife in TürkiyeFurnished does not mean bills included: read a Turkish rental ad, distinguish rent from a deposit and ask which costs the advertised rent covers.
193. 112: describing an emergency and giving an addressLife in TürkiyeAn accident, a location, a clear reply: practise a short Turkish emergency call with an address, a headcount and a request to speak slowly.
194. Anneanne or babaanne? Naming your grandparentsTurkish for heritage learnersMum’s mum or dad’s mum? Choose anneanne and babaanne accurately, understand dede and nine, and use these words when speaking to your grandparents.
195. A call home: meals, news and greetingsTurkish for heritage learnersA familiar voice on the phone: answer a grandmother’s questions, share a small piece of news and send greetings to someone who is not on the call.
196. At the family table: accepting, declining and thankingTurkish for heritage learnersSeconds or no seconds? Accept food, decline another helping and thank the cook in Turkish, with afiyet olsun, elinize sağlık and short family exchanges.
197. Visiting relatives: welcome, gifts and goodbyeTurkish for heritage learnersAt a relative’s door, know who says welcome and who replies. Practise offering a small gift and ending a family visit politely in Turkish.
198. Bayram greetings: wishes for the familyTurkish for heritage learnersA bayram greeting changes with the person you address. Practise warm wishes, a natural reply and the words for exchanging greetings and festive pocket money.
199. Blessings and wishes in family conversationTurkish for heritage learnersAdmiration or hope? Choose maşallah, inşallah and geçmiş olsun in family conversation, and recognise the farewell allahaısmarladık.
200. Family photos: who's in the picture?Turkish for heritage learnersAn old album starts a conversation: identify relatives, say where you took a photo and describe what someone was like in a short Turkish dialogue.
201. Where your family is from: a hometown conversationTurkish for heritage learnersA family can have roots in one town and live in another. Practise asking about origins in Turkish and separating hometown, birthplace and current home.
202. Summer at the family home in the villageTurkish for heritage learnersTwo weeks at your grandfather’s house: talk about a summer village visit in Turkish, from the length of your stay to lunch and tomorrow’s plans.
203. What parents say: hunger, warmth and gentle nudgesTurkish for heritage learnersA cardigan, a bowl of soup, another question: understand caring Turkish phrases at home and choose a reply that answers what your relative actually asked.
204. I missed the bus: an A2 Turkish storyTurkish storiesA missed morning bus sends a student looking for another route. Read an original A2 Turkish story and use the times to work out how his journey ends.
205. A note in the tea garden: an A2 storyTurkish storiesTwo big trees, one vague note: read an original A2 Turkish story and follow the clues that help two friends find each other in a tea garden.
206. The wrong umbrella: an A2 Turkish storyTurkish storiesA red string on a handle reveals an umbrella mix-up. Read this original A2 Turkish story, follow the clues and work out who takes each umbrella home.
207. A market bargain: an A2 Turkish storyTurkish storiesTwo kilos of apples, three different prices: follow an original A2 Turkish market story and work out the deal, the purchase and the change.
208. The new neighbour: a borrowed pot and an invitationTurkish storiesA borrowed pot brings two neighbours together. Read an original A2 Turkish story, track who returns what and use the final clues to predict what happens next.
209. The lost cat: follow the clues in TurkishTurkish storiesA blue collar makes the difference in this original A2 Turkish story. Follow Elif through the neighbourhood and use the clues to explain the ending.
210. The doctor’s appointment: an A2 Turkish storyTurkish storiesA blue note and a sudden shower reshape Elif’s morning. Read an original A2 Turkish story about a doctor’s appointment and separate plans from events.
211. The birthday surprise: an A2 Turkish storyTurkish storiesA cake in the kitchen and shoes by the door reveal a secret birthday plan. Read an original A2 Turkish story and separate a character’s thoughts from the facts.
212. Office rooms and objects in TurkishTurkish at workThe printer, the desk and the meeting room: name everyday office objects in Turkish and explain where they are, including toplantı odasında.
213. Work schedules: starting, finishing and working daysTurkish at workA nine o’clock start or a Saturday shift? Ask about working hours in Turkish, describe your working week, and distinguish starting work from the end of your working day.
214. Colleagues, managers and your team in TurkishTurkish at workWho is on your team? Introduce a colleague in Turkish, distinguish a manager from a boss, and practise saying my colleague and our team in a short dialogue.
215. Introducing a visitor to your teamTurkish at workAt the office door, welcome a visitor in Turkish, introduce them to colleagues and explain who works where in a short, polite conversation.
216. Lunch with colleagues: invitations and breaksTurkish at workTen minutes until lunch? Invite a colleague in Turkish, suggest a later start, and distinguish a five-minute break from a break in five minutes.
217. Running late or unable to come to workTurkish at workA delayed bus or a sick day calls for a clear message: explain in Turkish whether you will arrive late or cannot come, and give an estimated arrival time.
218. Short Turkish messages to a colleagueTurkish at workA file, a meeting time, a quick reply: practise short Turkish work chats and make it clear who will send the next update.
219. A short Turkish message that gives enough detailWriting in TurkishA late bus, a new meeting time: write a short Turkish message with a clear update, useful details and a question your friend can answer.
220. Filling in a Turkish form: names, dates and addressesWriting in TurkishA blank name box needs a name, not a sentence. Practise Turkish form labels, birth dates and address entries with a fictional classroom form.
221. Write a Turkish shopping listWriting in TurkishA carton, a kilo or six eggs? Make a clear Turkish shopping list with quantities, useful units and short entries that keep all the information you need.
222. A thank-you note with a personal detailWriting in TurkishA gift deserves more than a bare thank you: write a short Turkish note with a clear reason, a personal detail and a closing that suits the reader.
223. A holiday postcard in TurkishWriting in TurkishA few lines from the seaside: build a Turkish postcard with a friendly opening, news from your holiday and a warm closing before your name.
224. Write a Turkish invitation to dinnerWriting in TurkishA dinner invitation needs more than a friendly greeting: practise naming the occasion, day, time and place, then ask your guest to reply in Turkish.
225. A day in your Turkish diaryWriting in TurkishBreakfast on the balcony, an afternoon with a book: turn today’s small events into a Turkish diary entry with a clear sequence and a closing thought.
226. TYS and TÖMER: understanding Turkish examsTurkish exam preparationExam names can hide different purposes: distinguish TYS from university TÖMER tests, recognise the four skills and find official sample materials.
227. Word in context: four-option Turkish practiceTurkish exam preparationA missing word needs more than a familiar translation: use context, contrasts and negation to solve four original Turkish vocabulary questions at A2.
228. Case suffix choices: four short practice questionsTurkish exam preparationFour blanks, four meanings: choose a Turkish case suffix for an object, destination, location or starting point, then explain your choice.
229. Short notices: find the detail that answers the questionTurkish exam preparationA closing time, a seat number, a changed meeting place: practise finding the right detail in short Turkish notices, tickets and messages at A2.
230. Matching Turkish questions and repliesTurkish exam preparationA familiar word can hide a wrong answer. Match Turkish questions, invitations and offers to replies that fit their purpose in four A2 exercises.
231. TYS preparation: an eight-week study timetableTurkish exam preparationEight weeks on paper: organise Turkish practice, timed tasks and correction sessions with an A2 planning lesson and an original sample timetable.
232. Bayram visits: greetings at the doorTurkish culture and customsAt a bayram visit, greet your host, return a good wish and respond to an offer. Practise phrases for both Ramazan Bayramı and Kurban Bayramı.
233. Turkish national holidays: names and datesTurkish culture and customs23 April, 19 May and 29 October each have a different holiday name. Match Turkish names to dates and use those dates in simple sentences.
234. Turkish tea culture: glasses, pots and preferencesTurkish culture and customsA narrow-waisted glass introduces Turkish tea culture: name the serving objects, distinguish light from strong tea, and describe your own preferences.
235. Turkish table manners: thanking the cookTurkish culture and customsA shared meal brings small choices: wish others a good meal, thank the person who cooked, and decline another serving politely in Turkish.
236. Turkey's seven regions: names and landmarksTurkish culture and customsSeven region names turn a map of Turkey into useful Turkish: connect tea fields, olive trees and mountains with places, and distinguish a region from a sea.
237. Type Turkish: keyboard setup and a letter testMethods for studying TurkishA missing dot can change what you type. Set up Turkish input, test ç, ğ, ı, İ, ö, ş and ü, and check your message after the keyboard makes suggestions.
238. A daily Turkish routine in ten minutesMethods for studying TurkishTen minutes after breakfast can hold a complete Turkish practice session: read, speak and check, with a two-minute version for busy days.
239. A Turkish vocabulary notebook you can useMethods for studying TurkishA notebook entry needs more than a translation: connect a Turkish dictionary form to a useful form, a meaning in context and your own sentence.
240. Spaced repetition: when to revisit Turkish wordsMethods for studying TurkishA word that looks familiar may still be hard to recall. Plan spaced Turkish word practice and adjust the next session after a success or a mistake.
241. Learn suffixed words as complete formsMethods for studying TurkishA bag, my bag, in my bag: turn Turkish word forms into meaning-based recall cards, then change one detail without losing the rest of the meaning.