Before going further, please note that the Latin alphabet is used for Turkish. If you are looking for a fancy tattoo in Arabic, this article might be the wrong one. But it would still be our pleasure to help you with a fancy Turkish tattoo idea in the comments section.
(Hint: Pronunciation of Turkish is very similar to Spanish. Hope this helps you guess the sound of the phrases below.)
Useful Turkish Phrases for Foreigners: Turkish 101
1) Welcome – hoş geldin
Hoş geldin is the keyword here. It literally means welcome, and you will start hearing it from the moment you get on a plane, if it is a Turkish company of course. From then on, you may hear it in almost every cafe, restaurant, shopping center, hotel, or house that you are invited to. You are definitely welcomed in Turkey.
2) Hoş bulduk
But how do we answer if someone says hoş geldin? Thanks is useful, but it would be too mainstream. Luckily, there is always an answer in Turkish to everything, and in this case the answer would be hoş bulduk. Its direct translation would be I found it nice in here. A perfect ice-breaker.
3) Where is ... ?
But how do you say Where is your camel? You will need to ask this at some point, so better get over with it now: Deveniz nerede? After getting over the disappointment of not seeing camels ridden on the streets of Turkey, you can replace deveniz in the phrase with basically anything to ask for its place. Such as, The Ritz Carlton Hotel nerede? If you are heading to major landmarks like the Grand Bazaar or Hagia Sophia, this simple pattern is especially handy.
4) Thanks – teşekkürler
After someone does something nice for you, for example if someone tells you where the meeting point of your tour in Istanbul is, you can say teşekkürler to thank them and head to your destination filled with kindness and a big smile on your face. Plus, this word sounds really cute with an accent.
5) You are welcome – rica ederim
But what if someone thanks you? Easy: rica ederim, meaning you are welcome. We can already hear you saying, “Thanks for this article!” You are very welcome.
6) Kolay gelsin
Here comes a very Turkish one: kolay gelsin. The direct translation of this phrase would be let it be easy for you. If you want to make someone’s day, you can use this phrase and make them smile. There are many places where you can use it. For example, telling kolay gelsin to the driver while getting off public transportation or to the cashier in a bank who helped you with changing currency.
If you plan to use Istanbul public transport often, the official Metro Istanbul website can also help you get around more smoothly.
7) Bless you – çok yaşa
If you are planning your trip to Istanbul in winter, it is likely that you will encounter someone who sneezes. You can always say çok yaşa, which has the same purpose as bless you in English. Çok yaşa means live long, maybe not in exactly the same sense as saying it to a king or queen, but you surely will make someone feel like one when you show that you care. Moreover, when we sneeze, our hearts stop for a very brief moment. Doesn’t saying çok yaşa make perfect sense?
8) Sen de gör
When you say çok yaşa to a sneezing Turkish friend, it is very likely that you will hear sen de gör as a response. It literally means you shall see it too, but the real meaning is much deeper. It is used to say that you appreciate your friend wishing you a long life and respond by saying that they shall also live long and see it. Another possible response is hep beraber, in the sense that you would like to live long with your friend beside you.
9) İnşallah
An addition from Arabic, inşallah is one of the most common automated responses in Turkish, and it has the same meaning as hopefully. You can use it when someone is talking about future plans or hoping that something will be better; in short, when someone, including yourself, is making a wish.
10) Maşallah
Another commonly used word originating from Arabic is maşallah. This word is originally used as a protection against the evil eye, an ancient and interesting belief. Nowadays, maşallah is also used to show astonishment. For example, when you see a huge octopus you may say, Maşallah, that is one gigantic octopus!
If you are curious about the wider background of the language itself, Wikipedia’s Turkish language page offers a simple overview.
11) Maalesef – unfortunately
Maalesef, we are getting closer to the end of this article. This word has the same meaning as unfortunately, and it is highly probable that you will hear it in restaurants if what you ordered cannot be served or when you need information on a tourist attraction in Istanbul and the person you ask cannot help you.
12) Take good care of yourself – kendine iyi bak
Hopefully, inşallah, you enjoyed this brief list of phrases and words and your stay in Istanbul will be more fun by using them. Turks LOVE foreigners who at least attempt to speak Turkish, and communication is the best way of enjoying a foreign culture. Whether you are walking around Sultanahmet Square or taking a Bosphorus Cruise, even a few words can go a long way. Istanbul.com wishes you a great time in Istanbul. Kendinize iyi bakın!
Please feel free to share your favorite Turkish phrases in the comments section. Sharing is caring.
FAQ
What are the most useful Turkish phrases for foreigners in Istanbul?
The most practical ones in this list are hoş geldin, hoş bulduk, teşekkürler, rica ederim, and asking ... nerede? These help with greetings, politeness, and basic directions, which cover many everyday travel situations.
Is Turkish hard for foreigners to pronounce?
It can feel unfamiliar at first, but many travelers find Turkish pronunciation manageable because it is generally phonetic. As mentioned above, its pronunciation is often compared to Spanish, which can make guessing sounds easier for some visitors.
Do Turkish people appreciate it when foreigners speak Turkish?
Yes. Even using a few simple phrases can create a warmer interaction. This article’s original point still stands: Turks often appreciate foreigners who at least try to speak Turkish, and that small effort can make daily communication more enjoyable.
What does kolay gelsin mean in daily life?
Kolay gelsin is a very Turkish expression used to wish ease to someone who is working. You might say it to a driver, cashier, shop worker, or anyone busy with a task. It is practical, polite, and memorable.
What is the difference between inşallah and maşallah?
İnşallah is used more like hopefully when speaking about something wished for in the future. Maşallah is used to express admiration or astonishment and has roots in protection against the evil eye.
