How do you say it in Turkish? Asking for words and meanings
A missing word need not stop the conversation. Ask how to say something in Turkish, check an unfamiliar word’s meaning, and request a useful example.
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God willing: hopes and future plans
A hoped-for meeting is still uncertain. Use inşallah for future plans, place it naturally in a sentence, and distinguish a hopeful reply from a firm promise.
Read and practiseTake care: a warm Turkish farewell
A farewell can carry a wish for someone’s wellbeing. Choose the familiar or polite Turkish form, return the wish, and distinguish it from a warning.
Read and practiseMaşallah: admiration with goodwill
A flourishing garden invites a warm compliment. Use maşallah to admire what you see, distinguish it from inşallah, and recognise when praise turns into reproach.
Read and practiseHayırlı olsun: wishing well on a new home or job
A new set of keys or a new job calls for a wish for the future. Use hayırlı olsun, choose familiar or polite wording, and respond warmly in Turkish.
Read and practiseMay your work go smoothly
A neighbour is busy painting: acknowledge the effort in Turkish, wish the work well, and answer warmly without claiming the task is easy.
Read and practiseThanking the cook: appreciate the effort
A handmade meal deserves a personal thank-you. Address the cook warmly or politely in Turkish, praise a dish and pass your thanks through a server.
Read and practiseOffering condolences in Turkish: başınız sağ olsun
A death calls for a condolence, not a recovery wish. Choose başın or başınız sağ olsun, write a brief message, and keep sağ olsun as two words.
Read and practiseBless you in Turkish: çok yaşa and the reply
A sneeze starts a small exchange of good wishes. Choose çok yaşa or çok yaşayın, return the wish naturally, and distinguish sıhhatler olsun.
Read and practiseBu arada: adding a conversational aside
A sudden thought can open a new topic. Use bu arada for a conversational aside, distinguish it from “meanwhile”, and ask before interrupting.
Read and practiseTo be honest: açıkçası and dürüst olmak gerekirse
A candid opinion needs more than a polite opening. Use açıkçası and dürüst olmak gerekirse to admit uncertainty, state a preference or disagree with a reason.
Read and practiseI can't believe it: inanamıyorum and surprised disbelief
An astonishing result calls for inanamıyorum. Express delight or dismay in Turkish, distinguish disbelief from rejection, and judge the tone of yok artık.
Read and practiseLet me think: keeping your turn in Turkish
A pause before an answer can be useful: use bir düşüneyim to think, distinguish it from bakalım, and say when you will reply if you need longer.
Read and practiseThanks for having me: thanking a host in Turkish
After a visit, thank your host for welcoming you. Choose familiar or polite Turkish, distinguish hosting from inviting, and keep the host and guest clear.
Read and practiseLooking forward to it in Turkish
Anticipation can sound warm or impatient. Express what you look forward to in Turkish, connect an action to the phrase, and avoid mixing two sentence patterns.
Read and practiseIs this seat free? in Turkish
Ask Bu koltuk boş mu? to find out whether a seat is free, and practise the separate question particle mu.
Read and practiseI am looking for... in Turkish
Use arıyorum to say what you are looking for, choose a definite object and distinguish searching from calling by phone.
Read and practiseCould you write it down? in Turkish
Ask Bunu yazabilir misiniz? when you need something written, and practise polite requests for addresses or numbers.
Read and practiseCan I pay by card? in Turkish
Ask Kartla ödeyebilir miyim? when paying and practise the forms for card, cash and a polite first-person question.
Read and practiseIs there internet here? in Turkish
Ask Burada internet var mı? and practise questions about availability, a room and a wireless network password.
Read and practiseI am allergic to... in Turkish
Say Süte alerjim var to communicate a milk allergy and ask whether a food or product contains milk.
Read and practiseI am lost in Turkish: kayboldum
Say kayboldum when you cannot find your way, distinguish it from kaybettim, and ask where the nearest stop is.
Read and practiseCan I have a receipt? in Turkish
Ask Fiş alabilir miyim? for a receipt and practise asking for an invoice or having one sent by email.
Read and practiseWhat time does it open? in Turkish
Ask Bu mağaza kaçta açılıyor? and understand opening and closing times, including saat dokuzda.
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