We talk and write to communicate. But does communication only consist of exchanging information? Do the details, precision, and clarity of the information matter? How about sharing ideas or conveying feelings through conversations?

Can a simple sentence with only a subject and a verb—and maybe even an adjective—always lead to clear communication?

Not necessarily! Some of those details, clarity, and feelings are hidden in what we call “adverbs.”

Today we’ll talk about Turkish adverbs; their functionality, types, and placement in sentences. By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll have learned around 100 basic adverbs in Turkish.

Table of Contents

1. General Info on Adverbs
2. Adverbs Based on Their Functions and Meanings
3. Adverbs Based on Their Structures
4. Where Do Adverbs Go in a Sentence?
5. Get More Comfortable with Adverbs via TurkishClass101

1. General Info on Adverbs

Let’s start with the definition of an adverb. An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, another adverb, a phrase, or a clause. However, it doesn’t modify a noun.

An adverb also gives information about the manner, place, time, frequency, or certainty of the action represented by the verb. To better explain this, I would like to rephrase my question from earlier: 

Are nouns, verbs, and adjectives sufficient to form sentences that get all of the feelings, details, and messages across? 

For example, if someone said “I walked,” wouldn’t you want to ask where, when, how, or why they walked? Well, yes, for better communication, we need the answers to these kinds of questions. This is what adverbs do.

Now, let’s see what types of adverbs there are in Turkish. Adverbs in Turkish are classified as follows:

• Adverbs based on their functions and meanings
• Adverbs based on their structures

Now, let’s dive a little deeper into this before moving on to our Turkish adverbs list.

2. Adverbs Based on Their Functions and Meanings

The Turkish adverbs that fall under this category are:

• Turkish adverbs of manner
• Turkish adverbs of time
• Turkish adverbs of place/direction
• Turkish adverbs of quantity
• Turkish adverbs of frequency
• Turkish adverbs of interrogation
• Adverbs that indicate manner/situation

Turkish adverbs of manner show how an action is executed. This category has seven sub-categories:

1. Qualitative Adverbs

In Turkish, some adverbs can be formed from adjectives by adding a suffix. Below is a table that shows the rules for determining the correct suffixes:

		Last syllable of the adjective has “a, ı, o, u “		Last syllable of the adjective has “e, i, ö, ü”
Adjective	Adverb	If the adjective ends with “f, s, t, k, ç, ş, h, p”	If the adjective ends with other letters	If the adjective ends with “f, s, t, k, ç, ş, h, p”	If the adjective ends with other letters
Yavaş “Slow”	Yavaşça “Slowly”	-ça
Saygısız “Disrespectful”	Saygısızca “Disrespectfully”		-ca
Nazik “Kind”	Nazikçe “Kindly”			-çe
Dikkatli “Careful”	Dikkatlice “Carefully”				-ce

Sometimes the adjective and the adverb can be the same word. For example:

•  Hızlı (“Fast” / “Rapidly” / “Speedily”)

Now, it’s time to learn more qualitative adverbs in Turkish:

No.	Adverbs in Turkish and English	Their Usage
1	İyi “Well”	Sınava iyi hazırlandım. “I was well-prepared for the exam.”
2	Doğru “Correctly”	Numarayı doğru yazın lütfen. “Please write the number correctly.”
3	Kolayca “Easily”	Bu problemi kolayca çözdüm. “I solved this problem easily.”
4	Sessizce “Quietly”	Bana sessizce yaklaştı. “He/she/it approached me quietly.”
5	Hafifçe “Lightly”	Omuzuma hafifçe dokundu. “He/she touched my shoulder lightly.”
6	Gizlice “Secretly”	Hediyeyi gizlice paketledim. “I wrapped the present secretly.”
7	Basitçe “Simply”	Konuyu basitçe özetledim. “I summarized the issue simply.”
8	Açıkça “Frankly” / “Openly” / “Clearly”	Fikrimi açıkça söyledim. “I told my opinion frankly.”
9	Güzelce “Properly”	Ne gördüğünü bana güzelce anlat. “Tell me properly what you saw.”
10	Kibarca “Politely”	Onu kibarca uyardım. “I warned him/her politely.”
11	Sakince “Calmly”	Teklifini sakince reddettim. “I refused his/her proposal calmly.”
12	Rahatça “Comfortably”	Yeni odamda rahatça uyudum. “I slept comfortably in my new room.”

2. Adverbs of Certainty

Here’s a Turkish adverbs list of certainty:

No.	Adverbs in Turkish and English	Their Usage
13	Kesinlikle “Definitely” / “Certainly”	Partiye kesinlikle gelmeyeceğim. “I definitely won’t come to the party.”
14	Hiç “Never”	Japonya’yı hiç görmedim. “I have never seen Japan.”
15	Mutlaka “Absolutely”	O oyunu mutlaka görmelisin. “You must absolutely see that play.”
16	Elbette “For sure”	Elbette geleceğim. “I will come for sure.”
17	Ne olursa olsun “Regardless”	Hava nasıl olursa olsun gideceğim. “I will go regardless of the weather.”
18	Kuşkusuz “Doubtlessly”	Kuşkusuz suçlusun. “You are doubtlessly guilty.”

3. Adverbs of Repetition

Here are some examples of repetitive adverbs in Turkish:

No.	Adverbs in Turkish and English	Their Usage
19	Yine “Again” / “Over” / “Once again”	Yine kaybettim. “I lost again.”
20	Tekrar “Again” / “Repetition”	Adresini tekrar yazmalıyım. “I have to write your address again.”
21	Bir daha “Once more” / “Once again”	Sana bir daha kanmayacağım. “I will not fall for you once again.”
22	İkide bir “Again and again” / “Constantly”	İkide bir düşüyorsun. “You are constantly falling.”
23	Zaman zaman “From time to time” / “Now and then”	Onu zaman zaman arıyorum. “I call him/her from time to time.”

4. Adverbs of Probability

The table below shows examples of Turkish adverbs of probability.

No.	Adverbs in Turkish and English	Their Usage
24	Belki “Maybe”	Belki dönerim. “Maybe I will return.”
25	Muhtemelen “Probably”	Muhtemelen uyuyordur. “He/she/it is probably sleeping.”
26	Sanıyorum ki “I guess”	Sanıyorum ki çalışıyordur. “I guess he/she is working.”

5. Adverbs of Distribution

No.	Adverbs in Turkish and English	Their Usage
27	Teker teker “One by one” / “Individually”	Teker teker saymalısın. “You must count one by one.”
28	Beşer beşer “By fives”	Kutuları beşer beşer dizdim. “I stacked the boxes five by five.”

6. Adverbs of Restriction

No.	Adverbs in Turkish and English	Their Usage
29	Ancak “Merely” / “Solely” / “Only”	Dün ancak bir saat uyuyabildim. “Yesterday, I could only sleep for one hour.”
30	Artık “No longer” / “Anymore”	O artık gelmez. “He/she/it won’t come anymore.”

7. Adverbs of Proximity / Approximation

No.	Adverbs in Turkish and English	Their Usage
31	Yaklaşık “Approximately”	Dün yaklaşık bir saat çalıştım. “Yesterday, I worked approximately one hour.”
32	Hemen hemen “Almost”	İşim hemen hemen iki saat önce bitti. “I was done almost two hours ago.”
33	Aşağı yukarı “More or less” / “Approximately”	Aşağı yukarı beş kilometre yürüdüm. “I walked five kilometers, more or less.”
34	Neredeyse “Almost”	Neredeyse düşüyordum. “I almost fell.”
35	Şöyle böyle “So-so”	Sınav şöyle böyle geçti. “The exam went so-so.”

8. Adverbs that indicate the time of an action

Turkish time adverbs answer the “when” question. Now, are you ready for a list of some Turkish adverbs of time and their usage in sentences?

No.	Adverbs in Turkish and English	Their Usage
36	Dün “Yesterday”	Dün okula gitmedim. “I did not go to school yesterday.”
37	Dün gece “Last night”	Dün gece hiç uyuyamadım. “I could not sleep at all last night.”
38	Bugün “Today”	Bugün alışverişe gideceğim. “I will go shopping today.”
39	Bu sabah “This morning”	Bu sabah çok uykum var. “I’m very sleepy this morning.”
40	Bu gece “Tonight”	Bu gece yemek pişirmeyeceğim. “I will not cook tonight.”
41	Yarın “Tomorrow”	Yarın hastaneye gideceğim. “I will go to the hospital tomorrow.”
42	Gelecek hafta “Next week”	Gelecek hafta kızım mezun oluyor. “My daughter is graduating next week.”
43	Şimdi “Now”	Şimdi sessiz olmalısın. “You have to be quiet now.”
44	Hemen şimdi “Right now”	Hemen şimdi gitmeliyim. “I have to go right now.”
45	Hemen “Immediately”	Hemen gelmelisin. “You have to come immediately.”
46	Önce “Before”	Gitmeden önce beni aramalısın. “You must call me before you go.”
47	Sonra “Later”	İki gün sonra orada olacağım. “I will be there two days later.”
48	Yakın zamanda “Recently”	Ben o filmi yakın zamanda seyrettim. “I watched that movie recently.”
49	Son zamanlarda “Lately”	Son zamanlarda çok yorgunum. “I’m very tired lately.”
50	Yakında “Soon”	Yakında bebeğim olacak. “I will have a baby soon.”
51	Hala “Still”	Seni hala seviyorum. “I still love you.”
52	Henüz “Yet”	Henüz bir karar vermedim. “I have not made a decision yet.”
53	Önce “Ago”	İki yıl önce evlendim. “I got married two years ago.”

9. Adverbs that show place / direction

Turkish adverbs of place answer the “where” question. Here are some examples:

No.	Adverbs in Turkish and English	Their Usage
54	Aşağı “Down”	Merdivenlerden aşağı iniyor. “He/she/it is going down the stairs.”
55	Yukarı “Up”	Yukarı baktı ve gülümsedi. “He/she looked up and smiled.”
56	İçeri “Inside”	İçeri girdi ve ağlamaya başladı. “He/she came inside and started crying.”
57	Dışarı “Outside”	Hadi dışarı çıkalım. “Let’s go outside.”
58	İleri “Forward”	Lütfen ileri gitme. “Please don’t go forward.”
59	Geri “Back”	Lütfen geri gel. “Please come back.”
60	Beri “Near” / “This way”	Beri gel, konuşalım. “Come near me, so we can talk.”

I need your full ATTENTION here, please! There are two things you need to be very careful about in terms of Turkish adverbs of place and direction:

1. Place/direction adverbs do not take inflectional suffixes. If they do, they’re not called adverbs anymore. They become nouns. Now, let’s go over an example:

• İçeri girdim. (“I got inside.”)

The word içeri is an adverb that answers the “where” question.

• İçeriye girdim. (“I got inside.”)

The word içeri gets an inflectional suffix and becomes a noun. Although the meaning stays the same, the function of the word changes.

2. Adverbs have to determine the direction/place of the action performed. They have to relate to the verb. If the adverb is related to a noun, then it’s used as an adjective. Here’s an example:

• Aşağı indim. (“I went down.”)

The word aşağı is a Turkish adverb that answers the “where” question.

•  Aşağı kat satıldı. (“The flat downstairs has been sold.”)

The word aşağı is related to a noun here, so it functions as an adjective, not an adverb.

10. Adverbs that show quantity / measurement

This type of adverb affects the meaning of verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs in terms of quantity and measurement. These words represent numbers, equality, comparison, superiority, and degree. They answer the “how much” and “to what extent” questions.

No.	Adverbs in Turkish and English	Their Usage
61	Az “Little” / “Few / “A bit”	Oraya gelmemize az kaldı. “We are about to arrive there.”
62	Biraz “Some” / “A little”	Biraz bekler misin lütfen? “Can you wait a little, please?”
63	Çok “Much” / “Many” / “Very” / “Too much”	Çok hızlı koştuk. “We ran very fast.”
64	Fazla “Too” / “Too much” / “Too many” / “Over”	Bu gece fazla yedim. “I ate too much tonight.”
65	Pek “Quite” / “So” / “Very much”	Bu tablo pek güzel. “This painting is very nice.”
66	Epey “A great number of” / “A great deal of”	Eviniz epey büyük. “Your house is quite big.”
67	Epeyce “Quite a bit” / “Pretty”	Epeyce hızlısın. “You are pretty fast.”
68	Oldukça “Rather” / “Quite / “A good bit”	O oldukça yakışıklı. “He is quite handsome.”
69	Daha çok “More”	Daha çok çalışmalısın. “You have to study more.”
70	En çok “Most”	En çok çalışan benim. “I’m the one who works the most.”
71	Daha “More”	Daha pahalı bir araba istemiyorum. “I don’t want a more expensive car.”
72	Kadar “As much as” / “As far as” / “As ___ as”	Senin kadar sabırlı değilim. “I’m not as patient as you are.”
73	Bu kadar “This much” / “That much” / “So much”	Bu kadar bekleyemem. “I can’t wait that much.”

I would like to give you another WARNING here.

1. Please do not mix certain quantity adverbs with numeral adjectives. The following example will help you understand this better:

• Fazla stres insanı fazla üzer. (“Too much stress saddens people too much!”)

The very first fazla is an adjective because it’s related to the noun “stress.” The second one is an adverb because it’s related to the verb.

11. Adverbs that indicate frequency

The Turkish adverbs of frequency answer the “how frequently” question. Some linguists cover this category under the title “Adverbs that indicate the time of action.”

Here’s a list of some Turkish adverbs of frequency.

No.	Adverbs in Turkish and English	Their Usage
74	Bazen “Sometimes”	Seni bazen kıskanıyorum. “I sometimes envy you.”
75	Asla “Never”	Geç kalsam bile, asla koşmam. “Even if I’m late, I never run.”
76	Daima “Always”	Seni daima seveceğim. “I will always love you.”
77	Sık sık “Frequently”	Ben oraya sık sık gidiyorum. “I go there frequently.”
78	Nadiren “Rarely”	Seni artık nadiren görebiliyorum. “I can rarely see you.”
79	Her zaman “All the time”	Her zaman gülümsüyorsun. “You are smiling all the time.”
80	Genellikle “Usually”	İşte genellikle çok meşgulüm. “I’m usually busy at work.”
81	Saatlik “Hourly”	Saatlik çalışmak istiyorum. “I want to work hourly.”
82	Günlük “Daily	Ödevleri günlük yapıyorum. “I’m doing homework daily.”
83	Haftalık “Weekly”	Siparişleri haftalık alıyorum. “I take orders weekly.”
84	Aylık “Monthly”	Raporları aylık hazırlıyorum. “I prepare the reports monthly.”
85	Yıllık “Annually”	Planları yıllık yapıyoruz. “We make the plans annually.”
86	Ayda bir “Once a month”	Toplantıya ayda bir katılıyorum. “I attend the meeting once a month.”

12. Interrogative adverbs

Interrogative adverbs are used to describe what someone wants to know about the action that was performed. Here are some interrogative adverbs in Turkish:

No.	Adverbs in Turkish and English	Their Usage
87	Ne “What”	Benden ne istiyorsun? “What do you want from me?”
88	Ne zaman “When”	Ne zaman gideceksin? “When will you go?”
89	Ne kadar “How much” / “How long”	Daha ne kadar bekleyeceğim? “How long will I wait?”
90	Nasıl “How”	Sen nasıl konuşabilirsin böyle? “How can you talk like this?”
91	Niçin “Why”	Niçin gelmedin? “Why didn’t you come?”

3. Adverbs Based on Their Structures

1. Simple Adverbs (No. 92-93)

These are adverbs that do not take suffixes. They’re root words. Here are two examples:

• Yarın (“Tomorrow”)
• Gece (“Night”)

2. Derived Adverbs (No. 94-96)

These are adverbs that take derivational suffixes.

• Sınıfça (“As a class”)
• Aylarca (“For months”)
• Kışın (“In the winter”)

3. Compound Adverbs (No. 97-99)

A compound adverb is a structure in which one adverb is combined with either another adverb, or sometimes with another part of speech.

• Bugün (Bu + gün) – “Today”
• Biraz (Bir + az) – “Some” / “Little bit”
• Birdenbire (Birden + bire) – “Suddenly”

4. Adverbial Phrases and Reduplicative Adverbs (No. 100-105)

These phrases are formed by combining two or more words, which can be reduplicative words, verb-adverb combinations, and so on.

Here are some examples:

• Hemen hemen (“Almost”)
• Gece gündüz (“Night and day”)
• Er geç (“Sooner or later”)
• Kırk yılda bir (“Once in a blue moon”)
• Üç aşağı beş yukarı (“Approximately” / “More or less”)
• Doğru dürüst (“Properly”)

4. Where Do Adverbs Go in a Sentence?

Turkish adverbs usually come immediately before verbs. However, depending on what you want to emphasize, they might come before adjectives or other adverbs as well. As I mentioned earlier, they never come before nouns, because if they do, they become adjectives.

Here’s the usage of Turkish adverbs with examples:

• Hızlı koşuyor. – “He’s running fast.”

Hızlı (“fast”) is the adverb here, and it comes before the verb.

• Çok hızlı koşuyor. – “He’s running very fast.”

Çok (“very”) is the adverb here, and it comes before the other adverb, hızlı (“fast”).

•  Çok güzel bir evleri var. – “They have a very beautiful house.”

Çok (“very”) is the adverb here, and it comes before the adjective, güzel (“beautiful”).

5. Get More Comfortable with Adverbs via TurkishClass101

Now you know over 100 Turkish adverbs! Can you imagine how rich your sentences will be when you start using them?

How comfortable do you feel using all those adverbs in Turkish now? Do you still have some questions or doubts? Is there an adverb in Turkish we didn’t cover?

Then please visit TurkishClass101, which has many resources you can utilize to improve your skills and expand your knowledge. You can also reach out to us in the comments and we’ll do our best to help!

In the meantime, take advantage of our free resources, or upgrade to Premium PLUS and begin learning Turkish with our MyTeacher program.

Happy Turkish learning!

Before we begin, why should you learn Turkish conjugation? 

Well, conjugation is what allows you to effectively convey thoughts and ideas in a way that makes sense to others. By learning the proper conjugation of Turkish verbs early on in your studies, you’re giving yourself a head start to reaching fluency.

In this article, we’ll cover the basics of conjugation in Turkish, starting with how conjugation works in general. Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

1. General Info on Conjugation
2. Conjugation in Turkish
3. Verb Modification
4. Ready for a Challenge?
5. Conclusion

1. General Info on Conjugation

Conjugation is how you change or modify a verb’s basic form to convey a different meaning, or to express the following:

• Person / Subject
• Gender (male or female)
• Tense
• Mood
• Aspect
• Voice
• Number (singular or plural)
• Politeness level (formal or informal)

Every language is different, and of course, these are general parameters, all of which may not apply to all languages.

Now that you know the very basics, we’ll talk about Turkish verb conjugation and provide you with some Turkish verb conjugation charts along the way.

2. Conjugation in Turkish

Verbs are the main building blocks of a sentence. Therefore, when learning Turkish, knowing how to conjugate them is critical. It takes quite a bit of time, and it’s not very simple. 

Did I intimidate you? No, no, that’s not what I wanted to do. 

I just want to advise you that you should pay close attention to the Turkish conjugation rules. You may also want to make a Turkish verb conjugation chart for yourself, or create a Turkish verbs conjugation PDF file for future reference.

Now, let’s see which of the factors I mentioned above are involved in Turkish verb conjugation.

I. Person / Subject

In Turkish, different suffixes are added to a verb based on the person/subject it alludes to. Since the verb of the sentence already contains a personal pronoun through the suffix it takes, personal pronouns aren’t usually used in sentences. Vowels in the suffixes change based on the vowel harmony.

I’ll provide rules and examples for this below when talking about the tenses.

II. Number of Subjects

Whether the subject is singular or plural impacts the suffix the verb will get. I’ll provide examples for this later on in this article.

III. Politeness Level

In Turkish, we use the plural “you” both as it’s used in English, and also as a polite, formal way of naming or referring to someone. The Turkish verb conjugation rules for the plural “you” also apply to the polite “you.” 

IV. Tense

Tenses are the most confusing of all. I’ll make a Turkish verb conjugation chart for each tense, including the person/subject suffixes. I highly recommend that you prepare your own reference file using those charts, so that you can find all of the Turkish verb conjugation information in one place.

A. The Verb “To Be”

The thing about the verb “to be” in Turkish is that there isn’t a word for it like there is in English (“am,” “is,” “are”). Instead, the suffixes imply the meaning.

Word ending with a consonant
Person + “to be”	Last syllable of the word has “a” or “ı”	Last syllable of the word has “e” or “i”	Last syllable of the word has “o” or “u”	Last syllable of the word has “ö” or “ü”	Word ending with a vowel
“I am” (Ben)	-ım	-ım	-um	-um	Buffer y + (rules for the word ending with a consonant)
“You are”  (Sen)	-sın	-sın	-sun	-sun	Same rules in this line
“He / she / it is” (O)	-dır / tır	-dır / tır	-dur / tur	-dur / tur	Same rules in this line
“We are” (Biz)	-ız	-ız	-uz	-uz	Buffer y + (rules for the word ending with a consonant)
“You are” (Siz)	-sınız	-sınız	-sunuz	-sunuz	Same rules in this line
“They are” (Onlar)	-dırlar / tırlar or  -lar	-dirler / tirler or  -ler	-durlar /  turlar or  -lar	-dürler / türler or  -ler	Same rules in this line

Please note that the third person singular pronoun doesn’t have to take the suffix; you can leave it blank. The third person plural pronoun doesn’t have to take the whole suffix, either; it can take only the plural suffixes -ler and -lar.

Here are some examples:

Person + “to be”	Kızgın – “Angry”	Öğretmen – “Teacher”	Tok – “Full”	Üzgün – “Sad”	Zeki – “Smart”
“I am” (Ben)	Kızgınım	Öğretmenim	Tokum	Üzgünüm	Zekiyim
“You are” (Sen)	Kızgınsın	Öğretmensin	Toksun	Üzgünsün	Zekisin
“He / she / it is” (O)	Kızgın(dır)	Öğretmen(dir)	Tok(tur)	Üzgün(dür)	Zeki(dir)
“We are” (Biz)	Kızgınız	Öğretmeniz	Tokuz	Üzgünüz	Zekiyiz
“You are” (Siz)	Kızgınsınız	Öğretmensiniz	Toksunuz	Üzgünsünüz	Zekisiniz
“They are” (Onlar)	Kızgın(dır)lar	Öğretmen(dir)ler	Tok(tur)lar	Üzgün(dür)ler	Zeki(dir)ler

B. Modal Verbs

In Turkish, there aren’t separate words for the modal verbs. To form modal verbs, certain suffixes are added to the verbs. For example:

• Can

In Turkish, we express “can” using the suffix -abil or -ebil. We add the appropriate one to the verb root based on its last vowel. -abil and -ebil can be used with any tense, but are usually used with the present simple tense. If the verb ends with a vowel, then the buffer y is added before the -abil or -ebil suffix.

	Verb ending with a consonant Last vowel of the verb root		Verb ending with a vowel      Last vowel of the verb root
Person	a/ı/o/u	e/i/ö/ü	a/ı/o/u	e/i/ö/ü
“” (Ben)	-abilirim	-ebilirim	-yabilirim	-yebilirim
“You” (Sen)	-abilirsin	-ebilirsin	-yabilirsin	-yebilirsin
“He / she / it” (O)	-abilir	-ebilir	-yabilir	-yebilir
“We” (Biz)	-abiliriz	-ebiliriz	-yabiliriz	-yebiliriz
“You” (Siz)	-abilirsiniz	-ebilirsiniz	-yabilirsiniz	-yebilirsiniz
“They” (Onlar)	-abilirler	-ebilirler	-yabilirler	-yebilirler

Examples:

Ben atabilirim. (“I can throw.”)	Ben çekebilirim. (“I can pull.”)	Ben arayabilirim. (“I can call.”)	Ben söyleyebilirim. (“I can tell.”)
Sen atabilirsin. (“You can throw.”)	Sen çekebilirsin. (“You can pull.”)	Sen arayabilirsin. (“You can call.”)	Sen söyleyebilirsin. (“You can tell.”)
O atabilir. (“He / she / it can throw.”)	O çekebilir. (“He / she / it can pull.”)	O arayabilir. (“He / she / it can call.”)	O söyleyebilir. (“He / she / it can tell.”)
Biz atabiliriz. (“We can throw.”)	Biz çekebiliriz. (“We can pull.”)	Biz arayabiliriz. (“We can call.”)	Biz söyleyebiliriz. (“We can tell.”)
Siz atabilirsiniz. (“You can throw.”)	Siz çekebilirsiniz. (“You can pull.”)	Siz arayabilirsiniz. (“You can call.”)	Siz söyleyebilirsiniz. (“You can tell.”)
Onlar atabilirler. (“They can throw.”)	Onlar çekebilirler. (“They can pull.”)	Onlar arayabilirler. (“They can call.”)	Onlar söyleyebilirler. (“They can tell.”)

• Must

In Turkish, we express “must” using the suffixes -malı or -meli, which are added to the verb root.

	Last vowel of the verb root
Person	a/ı/o/u	e/i/ö/ü
“I” (Ben)	-malıyım	-meliyim
“You” (Sen)	-malısın	-melisin
“He / she / it” (O)	-malı	-meli
“We” (Biz)	-malıyız	-meliyiz
“You” (Siz)	-malısınız	-melisiniz
“They” (Onlar)	-malılar	-meliler

Here are some examples:

Ben yapmalıyım. (“I must do.”)	Ben gelmeliyim. (“I must come.”)
Sen yapmalısın. (“You must do.”)	Sen gelmelisin. (“You must come.”)
O yapmalı. (“He / she / it must do.”)	O gelmeli. (“He / she / it must come.”)
Biz yapmalıyız. (“We must do.”)	Biz gelmeliyiz. (“We must come.”)
Siz yapmalısınız. (“You must do.”)	Siz gelmelisiniz. (“You must come.”)
Onlar yapmalılar. (“They must do.”)	Onlar gelmeliler. (“They must come.”)

C. Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense is used for the actions that we do all the time. Here are the rules for Turkish present tense conjugations:

1. The following suffixes are added to the verb root for verbs ending with a vowel:

	Last vowel of the verb root
	a/ı	e/i	o/u	ö/ü
“I” (Ben)	-rım	-rım	-rum	-rum
“You” (Sen)	-rsın	-rsın	-rsun	-rsun
“He / she / it” (O)	-r	-r	-r	-r
“We” (Biz)	-rız	-rız	-ruz	-ruz
“You” (Siz)	-rsınız	-rsınız	-rsunuz	-rsunuz
“They” (Onlar)	-rlar	-rler	-rlar	-rler

Here are some examples:

Ben boyarım. (“I paint.”)	Ben söylerim. (“I tell.”)	Ben okurum. (“I read.”)	Ben yürürüm. (“I walk.”)
Sen boyarsın. (“You paint.”)	Sen söylersin. (“You tell.”)	Sen okursun. (“You read.”)	Sen yürürsün. (“You walk.”)
O boyar. (“He / she / it paints.”)	O söyler. (“He / she / it tells.”)	O okur. (“He / she / it reads.”)	O yürür. (“He / she / it walks.”)
Biz boyarız. (“We paint.”)	Biz söyleriz. (“We tell.”)	Biz okuruz. (“We read.”)	Biz yürürüz. (“We walk.”)
Siz boyarsınız. (“You paint.”)	Siz söylersiniz. (“You tell.”)	Siz okursunuz. (“You read.”)	Siz yürürsünüz. (“You walk.”)
Onlar boyarlar. (“They paint.”)	Onlar söylerler. (“They tell.”)	Onlar okurlar. (“They read.”)	Onlar yürürler. (“They walk.”)

2. The following suffixes are added to the verb root for verbs that have one syllable and end with a consonant:

	Last vowel of the verb root
Person	a/ı/o/u	e/i/ö/ü
“I” (Ben)	-arım	-erim
“You” (Sen)	-arsın	-ersin
“He / she / it” (O)	-ar	-er
“We” (Biz)	-arız	-eriz
“You” (Siz)	-arsınız	-ersiniz
“They” (Onlar)	-arlar	-erler

Please note that there are some exceptions to this rule: 

• Almak – “To take”
• Bilmek – “To know”
• Bulmak – “To find”
• Durmak – “To stop”
• Gelmek – “To come”
• Görmek – “To see”
• Kalmak – “To stay”
• Olmak (helping verb) – “To be”
• Ölmek – “To die”
• Sanmak – “To suppose”
• Vermek – “To give”
• Varmak – “To arrive”

Here are some examples for this rule:

Ben açarım. (“I open.”)	Ben severim. (“I love.”)
Sen açarsın. (“You open.”)	Sen seversin. (“You love.”)
O açar. (“He / she / it opens.”)	O sever. (“He / she / it loves.”)
Biz açarız. (“We open.”)	Biz severiz. (“We love.”)
Siz açarsınız. (“You open.”)	Siz seversiniz. (“You love.”)
Onlar açarlar. (“They open.”)	Onlar severler. (“They love.”)

3. The following suffixes are added to the verb root for verbs that have more than one syllable and end with a consonant:

	Last vowel of the verb root
Person	a/ı	e/i	o/u	ö/ü
“I” (Ben)	-ırım	-ırım	-urum	-urum
“You” (Sen)	-ırsın	-ırsın	-ursun	-ursun
“He / she / it” (O)	-ır	-ır	-ur	-ur
“We” (Biz)	-ırız	-ırız	-uruz	-uruz
“You” (Siz)	-ırsınız	-ırsınız	-ursunuz	-ursunuz
“They” (Onlar)	-ırlar	-irler	-urlar	-ürler

Below are some examples for this rule:

Ben çalışırım. (“I work.”)	Ben öğretirim. (“I teach.”)	Ben unuturum. (“I forget.”)	Ben götürürüm. (“I take.”)
Sen çalışırsın. (“You work.”)	Sen öğretirsin. (“You teach.”)	Sen unutursun. (“You forget.”)	Sen götürürsün. (“You take.”)
O çalışır. (“He / she / it works.”)	O öğretir. (“He / she / it teaches.”)	O unutur. (“He / she / it forgets.”)	O götürür. (“He / she / it takes.”)
Biz çalışırız. (“We work.”)	Biz öğretiriz. (“We teach.”)	Biz unuturuz. (“We forget.”)	Biz götürürüz. (“We take.”)
Siz çalışırsınız. (“You work.”)	Siz öğretirsiniz. (“You teach.”)	Siz öğretirsiniz. (“You teach.”)	Siz götürürsünüz. (“You take.”)
Onlar çalışırlar. (“They work.”)	Onlar öğretirler. (“They teach.”)	Onlar unuturlar. (“They forget.”)	Onlar götürürler. (“They take.”)

Please also note that sometimes helping words such as etmek and olmak are combined together with other words like kaybolmak and seyretmek. These verbs don’t follow this rule; instead, the rule that applies to the helping verbs etmek and olmak is used.

D. Present Continuous Tense

If the verb root ends in a vowel, the vowel at the end is dropped and the following suffixes are added. The suffixes shown below also are used for verbs ending with a consonant:

Person	a/ı	e/i	o/u	ö/ü
“I” (Ben)	-ıyorum	-ıyorum	-uyorum	-uyorum
“You” (Sen)	-ıyorsun	-ıyorsun	-uyorsun	-uyorsun
“He / she / it” (O)	-ıyor	-ıyor	-uyor	-uyor
“We” (Biz)	-ıyoruz	-ıyoruz	-uyoruz	-uyoruz
“You” (Siz)	-ıyorsunuz	-ıyorsunuz	-uyorsunuz	-uyorsunuz
“They” (Onlar)	-ıyorlar	-ıyorlar	-uyorlar	-uyorlar

Please take a look at the examples below:

Ben arıyorum. (“I am looking for.”)	Ben geliyorum. (“I am coming.”)	Ben soruyorum. (“I am asking.”)	Ben bölüyorum. (“I’m dividing.”)
Sen arıyorsun. (“You are looking for.”)	Sen geliyorsun. (“You are coming.”)	Sen soruyorsun. (“You are asking.”)	Sen bölüyorsun. (“You are dividing.”)
O arıyor. (“He / she / it is looking for.”)	O geliyor. (“He / she / it is coming.”)	O soruyor. (“He / she / it is asking.”)	O bölüyor. (“He / she / it is dividing.”)
Biz arıyoruz. (“We are looking for.”)	Biz geliyoruz. (“We are coming.”)	Biz soruyoruz. (“We are asking.”)	Biz bölüyoruz. (“We are dividing.”)
Siz arıyorsunuz. (“You are looking for.”)	Siz geliyorsunuz. (“You are coming.”)	Siz soruyorsunuz. (“You are asking.”)	Siz bölüyorsunuz. (“You are dividing.”)
Onlar arıyorlar. (“They are looking for.”)	Onlar geliyorlar. (“They are coming.”)	Onlar soruyorlar.  (“They are asking.”)	Onlar bölüyorlar. (“They are dividing.”)

E. Past Tense

To use the correct rule for past tense conjugations, you need to check the last vowel and the last letter of the verb. Study this Turkish conjugation table to see what we mean:

	Last vowel of the verb root
	a/ı		e/i		o/u		ö/ü
Person	If the very last letter of the verb root is one of these letters: ç/f/h/k/s/ş/t/p.	If the very last letter of the verb root contains the rest of the consonants.	If the very last letter of the verb root is one of these letters: ç/f/h/k/s/ş/t/p.	If the very last letter of the verb root contains the rest of the consonants.	If the very last letter of the verb root is one of these letters: ç/f/h/k/s/ş/t/p.	If the very last letter of the verb root contains the rest of the consonants.	If the very last letter of the verb root is one of these letters: ç/f/h/k/s/ş/t/p.	If the very last letter of the verb root contains the rest of the consonants.
“I” (Ben)	-tım	-dım	-tım	-dım	-tum	-dum	-tum	-dum
“You” (Sen)	-tın	-dın	-tın	-dın	-tun	-dun	-tun	-dun
“He / she / it” (O)	-tı	-dı	-tı	-dı	-tu	-du	-tu	-du
“We” (Biz)	-tık	-dık	-tık	-dık	-tuk	-duk	-tuk	-duk
“You” (Siz)	-tınız	-dınız	-tınız	-dınız	-tunuz	-dunuz	-tunuz	-dunuz
“They” (Onlar)	-tılar	-dılar	-tiler	-diler	-tular	-dular	-tüler	-düler

Below are some examples that will help you understand the Turkish conjugation for the past tense better:

Ben sattım. (“I sold.”)	Ben temizledim. (“I cleaned.”)	Ben oturdum. (“I sat down.”)	Ben öptüm. (“I kissed.”)
Sen sattın. (“You sold.”)	Sen temizledin. (“You cleaned.”)	Sen oturdun. (“You sat down.”)	Sen öptün. (“You kissed.”)
O sattı. (“He / she / it sold.”)	O temizledi. (“He / she / it cleaned.”)	O oturdu. (“He / she / it sat down.”)	O öptü. (“He / she / it kissed.”)
Biz sattık. (“We sold.”)	Biz temizledik. (“We cleaned.”)	Biz oturduk. (“We sat down.”)	Biz öptük. (“We kissed.”)
Siz sattınız. (“You sold.”)	Siz temizlediniz. (“You cleaned.”)	Siz oturdunuz. (“You sat down.”)	Siz öptünüz. (“You kissed.”)
Onlar sattılar. (“They sold.”)	Onlar temizlediler. (“They cleaned.”)	Onlar oturdular. (“They sat down.”)	Onlar öptüler. (“They kissed.”)

F. Future Tense

	Verbs ending with a consonant		Verbs ending with a vowel
Person	a/ı/o/u	e/i/ö/ü	a/ı/o/u	e/i/ö/ü
“I” (Ben)	-acağım	-eceğim	-[y]acağım	-[y]eceğim
“You” (Sen)	-acaksın	-eceksin	-[y]acaksın	-[y]eceksin
“He / she / it” (O)	-acak	-ecek	-[y]acak	-[y]ecek
“We” (Biz)	-acağız	-eceğiz	-[y]acağız	-[y]eceğiz
“You” (Siz)	-acaksınız	-eceksiniz	-[y]acaksınız	-[y]eceksiniz
“They” (Onlar)	-acaklar	-ecekler	-[y]acaklar	-[y]ecekler

There are two words that have an exception: demek (“to say,” “to tell”) and yemek (“to eat”). The letter e changes to i, and then the above-mentioned suffixes are added. For example:

• Ben yiyeceğim. (“I will eat.”)
• Sen diyeceksin. (“You will tell.”) 

Here are some examples:

Ben yazacağım. (“I will write.”)	Ben seçeceğim. (“I will choose.”)	Ben uyuyacağım. (“I will sleep.”)	Ben deneyeceğim. (“I will try.”)
Sen yazacaksın. (“You will write.”)	Sen seçeceksin. (“You will choose.”)	Sen uyuyacaksın. (“You will sleep.”)	Sen deneyeceksin. (“You will try.”)
O yazacak. (“He / she / it will write.”)	O seçecek. (“He / she / it will choose.”)	O uyuyacak. (“He / she / it will sleep.”)	O deneyecek. (“He / she / it will try.”)
Biz yazacağız. (“We will write.”)	Biz seçeceğiz. (“We will choose.”)	Biz uyuyacağız. (“We will sleep.”)	Biz deneyeceğiz. (“We will try.”)
Siz yazacaksınız. (“You will write.”)	Siz seçeceksiniz. (“You will choose.”)	Siz uyuyacaksınız. (“You will sleep.”)	Siz deneyeceksiniz. (“You will try.”)
Onlar yazacaklar. (“They will write.”)	Onlar seçecekler. (“They will choose.”)	Onlar uyuyacaklar. (“They will sleep.”)	Onlar deneyecekler. (“They will try.”)

G. Negativity

Creating the negative form of “to be” is simple. The word değil means “not,” and it takes the personal suffix. Let me explain it with examples:

Ben şişman değilim. “I am not fat.”

Sen şişman değilsin. “You are not fat.”

O şişman değil. “He / she / it is not fat.”

Biz şişman değiliz. “We are not fat.”

Siz şişman değilsiniz. “You are not fat.”

Onlar şişman değiller. “They are not fat.”

H. Interrogation

Let’s look at the present form of “yes or no” questions. Here are the words that turn a sentence into a closed question. I said “words” because they’re not suffixes, but separate words, which don’t mean anything when used alone.

	Last vowel of the last syllable
Person	a/ı	e/i	o/u	ö/ü
“I” (Ben)	mıyım?	mıyım?	müyüm?	müyüm?
“You” (Sen)	mısın?	mısın?	müsün?	müsün?
“He / she / it” (O)	mi?	mi?	mü?	mü?
“We” (Biz)	mıyız?	mıyız?	muyuz?	muyuz?
“You” (Siz)	mısınız?	mısınız?	musunuz?	musunuz?
“They” (Onlar)	mı?	mı?	mü?	mü?

Examples:

• Sen aşçı mısın?
  (“Are you a cook?”)
  Singular “you”

• Siz deli misiniz?
  (“Are you crazy?”)
  Plural “you”

• O tok mu?
  (“Is he / she / it full?”)

• Biz kötü müyüz?
  (“Are we bad?”)

3. Verb Modification

Now let’s look at a few different ways to modify verbs.

I. Passive

Verbs can be made passive by adding n if the verb ends with a vowel:

• Aramak – “To look for,” “To call”

The verb root is ara; it takes n and becomes:

• Aranmak – “To be looked for,” “To be called”

You can also add ıl, il, ul, or ül depending on the vowel harmony if the verb ends with a consonant other than l:

• Açmak – “To open”
• Açılmak – “To be opened”
• Yermek – “To criticize”
• Yerilmek – “To be criticized”
• Sunmak – “To offer”
• Sunulmak – “To be offered”
• Çözmek – “To resolve”
• Çözülmek – “To be resolved”

Finally, you can add ın, in, un, or ün depending on the vowel harmony if the verb ends with l: 

• Çalmak – “To steal”
• Çalınmak – “To be stolen”
• Silmek – “To delete”
• Silinmek – “To be deleted”
• Bulmak – “To find”
• Bulunmak – “To be found”
• Bölmek – “To divide”
• Bölünmek – “To be divided”

II. Causative

The causative verbs are formed by adding the causative suffix after the verb root according to the vowel harmony rules.

Add t if the verb ends with a vowel, or  r:

• Aramak – “To look for”
• Aratmak – “To have somebody look for”
• Oturmak – “To sit down”
• Oturtmak – “To seat somebody”

Add ır, ir, ur, or ür based on the vowel harmony if the verb stem ends with ş or ç:

• Düşmek – “To fall”
• Düşürmek – “To make somebody fall”
• İçmek – “To drink”
• İçirmek – “To have somebody drink”

Most verbs get the following suffixes based on the vowel harmony:

 dir, dır, dür, dur, tir, tır, tür, tur

• Gülmek – “To laugh”
• Güldürmek – “To make somebody laugh”

A few mono-syllable verbs ending in k take -it, -ıt, -üt, or -ut suffixes:

• Korkmak – “To be scared”
• Korkutmak – “To scare someone”
• Akmak – “To flow”
• Akıtmak – “To let something flow”

There are also some verbs  that take the -er and -ar suffixes:

• Kopmak – “To break off”
• Koparmak – “To make something break off”

There is one verb that’s irregular:

• Görmek – “To see”
• Göstermek – “To show”

Double causative verbs also exist: 

• Pişmek – “To cook” (ex: the meat cooks) 
• Pişirmek – “To cook” (ex: my wife cooks the meat) 
• Pişirtmek – “To have something cooked” 
• Ölmek – “To die” 
• Öldürmek – “To kill” 
• Öldürtmek – “To have someone killed” 

III. Reflexive

You can create a reflexive verb by adding the suffix -in. For example:

• Giymek – “To wear clothes“
• Giyinmek – “To dress oneself”

IV. Verbs of Mutual Action

Here are some examples:

• Görmek – “To see”
• Görüşmek – “To see one another” or “To converse”
• Görüşülmek – “To be conversed about”
• Görüştürmek – “To make conversation with one another”
• Görüştürülmek – “To be made to converse with one another”

4. Ready for a Challenge?

After all this information, are you ready for some Turkish verb conjugation practice? How about taking a short quiz to see how much information you’ve absorbed about Turkish conjugation?

1. How is the verb atlamak (“to jump”) conjugated in the first person plural as future tense?

a. Atladım

b. Atlayacağım

c.  Atlıyorsunuz

d. Atlayacağız

2. Complete the sentence with the correct present “to be” suffix.

Biz güzel….. (“We are beautiful.”)

a. dik

b. iz

c.  eceğiz

d. ıyoruz

3. Complete the sentence with the correct past tense suffix.

Ben gör…. (“I saw”)

a. düm

b. dük

c.   üm

d. eceğim

4. Complete the sentence with the correct present continuous tense suffix.

Sen iç…….. (“You are drinking”)

a. tim

b. sın

c.  eceğim

d. iyorsun

5. Complete the sentence with the correct modal verb suffix.

Siz koş………. (“You must run”)

a. abilirsiniz

b. acaksınız

c.  malısınız

d. uyorsunuz

Are you looking for the answer key? If so, you need to read the rest to get to it!

5. Conclusion

How does it feel to learn about those Turkish conjugation rules? Seems like too much info, huh? If you have combined all the Turkish verb conjugation charts and created a Turkish verbs conjugation PDF file for yourself, then you can refresh your memory whenever you need to. Furthermore, make sure to visit our website, TurkishClass101.com, to reinforce what you’ve learned.

Please keep in touch with us to share your learning experience.

Last but not least, here are the answers to the quiz:

1.d; 2.b; 3.a; 4.d; 5.c

Action, occurrence, process, condition, and state of being—don’t these words remind us of flow or the dynamism of life? Of course they do, but beyond that, when one of these concepts is conveyed in a word or a group of words, they’re known as verbs. Verbs are an important aspect in the structure of a sentence.

In our previous articles, we talked about “100 Nouns” and “Pronouns” in Turkish. Now, it’s time to learn about the missing part, Turkish verbs, to be able to make full sentences.

A verb’s placement in a sentence may vary depending on the language.

All Turkish verbs are placed at the end of the sentence. The object follows the subject in a sentence, and then comes the verb.

Good news! There’s no grammatical gender in Turkish, so the verbs don’t change according to gender. However, depending on the tense, the Turkish verb cases are created by adding personal suffixes based on the personal pronouns used.

Let’s see how to say “verb” in Turkish:

· Fiil – “Verb”

Now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s take a look at our common Turkish verbs list and broaden your vocabulary!

Table of Contents

1. Turkish Infinitive Verbs
2. Types of Turkish Language Verbs
3. Other Common Turkish Verbs and Their Usage in Sentences
4. Learn About Advanced Turkish Verbs with TurkishClass101

1. Turkish Infinitive Verbs

The infinitive form of a verb is the uninflected form of that verb.

Positive

The positive infinitive forms of all Turkish verbs take the -mak or -mek suffix at the end based on vowel harmony. If the last vowel of the verb is “a, ı, o, u,” the suffix -mak is used. If the last vowel of the verb is “e, i, ö, ü,” then the suffix -mek is used.

You can start creating your own personal list of important Turkish verbs for your studies with the most common Turkish verbs below:

Düşmek – “To fall”

Gelmek – “To come”

Gitmek – “To go”

Giyinmek – “To get dressed”

Göstermek – “To show”

İçmek – “To drink”

Öğrenmek – “To learn”

Söylemek – “To say,” “To tell”

Temizlemek – “To clean”

Yemek – “To eat”

Açmak – “To open”

Aramak – “To look for”

Bakmak – “To look”

Bulmak – “To find”

Buluşmak – “To meet”

Dokunmak – “To touch”

Konuşmak – “To talk”

Kullanmak – “To use”

Okumak – “To read”

Tutmak – “To hold”

Yazmak – “To write”

Negative

There are also negative verb infinitives in Turkish (ex: “not to make,” “not to teach,” etc.). In this case, the verb is followed by the negative suffix -ma or -me based on the vowel harmony mentioned above. Then comes -mak after -ma and -mek after -me negative suffixes. Here are some negative Turkish verbs with English translations:

Yapmamak (Yap-ma-mak) – “Not to do,” “Not to make”

Almamak (Al-ma-mak) – “Not to take”

Boyamamak (Boya-ma-mak) – “Not to color,” “Not to paint”

Kırmamak (Kır-ma-mak) – “Not to break”

Kaçmamak (Kaç-ma-mak) – “Not to escape”

Gitmemek (Git-me-mek) – “Not to go”

Öğrenmemek (Öğren-me-mek) – “Not to learn”

Öğretmemek (Öğret-me-mek) – “Not to teach”

Çizmemek (Çiz-me-mek) – “Not to draw”

Silmemek (Sil-me-mek) – “Not to erase,” “Not to delete”

2. Types of Turkish Language Verbs

Action verbs

Action verbs are verbs that indicate an action, as the name suggests. They describe what someone or something does.

Below are some action verbs in Turkish:

Koşmak – “To run”

Oynamak – “To play”

Gülmek – “To laugh”

Yürümek – “To walk”

There are two types of action verbs: Transitive and Intransitive.

Turkish Transitive Verbs 

A transitive verb is followed by a noun or noun phrase that receives the action of the verb, which is called the “direct object.”

Transitive verbs sometimes have indirect objects, which name the object to whom or for whom the action was done.

For example:

Mike annesini arıyor. – “Mike is calling his mother.”

Verb in Turkish	Verb in English	Direct Object in Turkish	Direct Object in English	Indirect Object in Turkish	Indirect Object in English
Aramak	To call	Annesi	His mother	N/A	N/A

Mary kitabı Jane’e verdi. – “Mary gave Jane the book.”

Verb in Turkish	Verb in English	Direct Object in Turkish	Direct Object in English	Indirect Object in Turkish	Indirect Object in English
Vermek	To give	Kitabı	The book	Jane	Jane

A small clue for you: If you can make the sentence passive, then it means it uses a transitive verb.

Turkish Intransitive Verbs

An intransitive verb doesn’t have a direct or indirect object. It may be followed by an adverb or adverbial phrase, but there’s no object to receive its action. Let’s see how intransitive Turkish verbs fit into sentences:

Çocuk ağladı. – “The boy cried.”

Verb in Turkish	Verb in English	Direct Object	Indirect Object
Ağlamak	To cry	N/A	N/A

State Verbs

A state verb describes a state of being, not an action.

State verbs generally fall into four groups. Let’s discover some of these useful Turkish verbs:

Emotion: 

Sevmek – “To love”

Nefret etmek – “To hate”

İstemek – “To want”

Possession: 

Sahip olmak – “To have,” “To own”

Ait olmak – “To belong”

Sense: 

Görmek – “To see”

Duymak – “To hear”

Koklamak – “To smell”

Thought: 

Bilmek – “To know”

İnanmak – “To believe”

Hatırlamak – “To remember”

Düşünmek – “To think”

Verbs that Describe Occurrences

These are verbs that describe a sudden change that’s not necessarily intentional. The event that occurs on or to the object is involuntary, and there’s usually a time factor involved here. These verbs don’t take any objects and are therefore intransitive verbs.

For example:

Bugün hastalandım. – “I got sick today.”

Here are some Turkish verbs that describe occurrences:

Acıkmak – “To get hungry”

Soğumak – “To get cold,” “To cool”

Uzamak – “To get taller”

Bayatlamak – “To get stale”  

Körelmek – “To become blunt” 

Turkish Auxiliary Verbs

An auxiliary verb is also called a helping verb. The main auxiliary verbs in Turkish are etmek, olmak, yapmak, kılmak, and eylemek.

These essential Turkish verbs are explained in detail below:

Etmek  – “To do,” “To make,” “To perform”

This word isn’t usually used as a verb by itself. It’s used with other words, some of which are Arabic and Persian. However, although many Arabic words don’t follow the rules of vowel harmony, any Turkish suffixes added will always be based on the final vowel in the word.

For example:

Teşekkür etmek – “Thank you”

Takdir etmek – “To appreciate”

If the verb is formed with a single-syllable word, then the word etmek gets combined with the root word. If the word ends in a consonant, that letter will generally double.  

Af – “Pardon”

Affetmek – “To forgive”

Ret – “Refusal” 

Reddetmek – “To refuse”

Other usages of this helping word are:

Mutlu etmek – “To make happy”

Kabul etmek – “To accept”

Teslim etmek – “To deliver”

Kontrol etmek – “To check,” “To control”

Olmak – “To be”

This is the verb “to be” in Turkish. It also means “to become,” “to happen,” or “to occur.”

Although the verb’s meaning is stated above, it has a different meaning when used as a helping verb, as shown below:

Sahip olmak – “To have”

Pişman olmak – “To regret”

Mutlu olmak – “To be happy”  

Yapmak  – “To do,” “To make”

 Here are some verbs that can be formed when yapmak is used as an auxiliary verb:

Bakım yapmak – “To maintain”

Katkı yapmak – “To contribute”

Prova yapmak – “To rehearse”

Eylemek – “To carry out “

Eylemek can substitute etmek and serves the same purpose. It’s usually used in writing and is very seldomly used in conversations.

Sabreylemek – “To be patient”

Reddeylemek – “To refuse”

Niyaz eylemek – “To supplicate”

Arz eylemek – “To present,” “To offer”

Seyreylemek – “To watch”

Kılmak – “To make,” “To do”

When used as a helping verb, the meaning of this verb changes. Here are some examples for you:

Namaz kılmak – “To perform prayer”

Mecbur kılmak – “To oblige someone to do (something)”

Zorunlu kılmak – “To oblige”

3. Other Common Turkish Verbs and Their Usage in Sentences

Now we’ll introduce you to other useful and common Turkish verbs, as well as their usage in simple sentences. Keep in mind while reading the examples that we’ll be going over how to conjugate Turkish verbs in a future article.

By the time you get to the end of this article, you’ll know around 100 Turkish verbs. It might be a good idea to add the following words to your own Turkish verbs list for easy reference as you study. Are you ready to expand your Turkish verb vocabulary? Let’s go.

Satmak – “To sell”

Evimi satıyorum. – “I’m selling my house.”

Oturmak – “To sit”

Ben şimdi oturuyorum. – “I’m sitting now.”

Kalkmak – “To get up”

Her sabah 6’da kalkarım. – “I get up at six every morning.”

Kapatmak – “To close”

Linda kapıyı kapatıyor. – “Linda is closing the door.”

Uyumak – “To sleep”

Annem uyuyor. – “My mother is sleeping.”

Fırçalamak – “To brush”

Kızım saçlarını fırçalıyor. – “My daughter is brushing her hair.”

Yüzmek – “To swim”

Eşim her gün yüzer. – “My husband swims every day.”

Unutmak – “To forget”

Kitabımı evde unuttum. – “I forgot my book at home.”

Çalışmak – “To study,” “To work”

Türkçe çalışıyorum. – “I’m studying Turkish.”

Kaçırmak – “To miss”

Otobüsü kaçırdım. – “I missed the bus.”

Yaşamak – “To live”

Türkiye’de yaşıyorum. – “I live in Turkey.”

Uyanmak – “To wake up”

Her sabah 6’da uyanıyorum. – “I wake up at six every morning.”

Atmak – “To throw”

Lütfen bana topu at. – “Please throw the ball to me.”

Hatırlamak – “To remember”

Seni hatırlıyorum. – “I remember you.”

Last, but not least, we would like to talk about the verb yapmak, which means both “to do” and “to make.” We do want to emphasize that this word has a wide range of uses.

Ödev yapmak – “To do homework”

İş yapmak – “To do work,” “To do business”

Saçını yapmak – “To do hair”

Alışveriş yapmak – “To do shopping”

Hata yapmak – “To make a mistake”

Kahve yapmak – “To make coffee”

Kek yapmak – “To make a cake”

Şaka yapmak – “To make a joke”

Gözlem yapmak – “To make an observation”

Liste yapmak – “To make a list”

4. Learn About Advanced Turkish Verbs with TurkishClass101

Wasn’t it easy to learn the 100 most common Turkish verbs via one article? Why not shoot for 500 Turkish verbs? Do you want to know how to learn Turkish verbs quickly and easily?

First of all, don’t lose any time and visit our website. Then, make sure to include all of the Turkish verbs we went over to a personal Turkish verbs list. As you proceed to Turkish verb conjugation, you can create a study guide or PDF file for this as well. Further, be sure to take full advantage of the dictionary on our website—it will make your life so much easier!

Please let us know in the comments section if this Turkish verbs guide was helpful to you! Is there anything you’re not quite sure about after reading it? Note that every detail you learn will contribute to your success in speaking Turkish fluently!

Happy learning! 

Pronouns, in general, help to prevent repeating nouns, which can be annoying. During conversations

or while writing, one should avoid doing this for the sake of clarity. Redundancy only causes confusion.

Pronouns in Turkish language-learning are essential, because having a good command of Turkish pronouns will help you be a better, more efficient speaker and writer of the language. Pronunciation is also key; check out this Turkish pronouns list to hear the correct pronunciation of each word and expand upon your pronouns in Turkish vocabulary. 

Make sure you’re pronouncing the whole word, because every letter counts. Turkish is a very efficient language and relies heavily on short suffixes (sometimes made up of just one letter) to get the message across. Unlike in English, Turkish words may take on different suffixes, some of which express grammatical tenses. There’s an order to how the different types of suffixes are added; according to this order, the personal pronoun suffixes are added at the end of the word, as the last suffix.

Take a look at this example:

• Ben gelmiştim.
  “I had come.”

In the English sentence, grammatical tense is expressed through the word “had.” In the Turkish sentence, instead of using a separate word, we add the suffix -miş (for past tense), then we add the pronoun ending -m to state that the subject is the first person singular.

But not all pronouns are formed this way. There are two types of Turkish pronouns:

1. Stand-alone pronouns 
2. Pronouns that are added as suffixes

It’s important to know both kinds, because failing to use them correctly could lead to misunderstandings. We’ll cover each kind below as we look into different forms of pronouns and learn through Turkish pronouns examples. Make sure to find the most efficient and unique way you’re able to learn this important grammar topic. When studying pronouns in Turkish, lessons like this are helpful, but can only go so far.

Table of Contents

1. Turkish Personal Pronouns
2. Turkish Possessive Pronouns
3. Demonstrative Pronouns in Turkish
4. Turkish Interrogative Pronouns
5. Turkish Indefinite Pronouns
6. Turkish Relative Pronouns
7. The Turkish Reflexive Pronoun
8. Suffixed Pronouns in Turkish
9. Things to Remember about the Use of Turkish Pronouns
10. Conclusion

1. Turkish Personal Pronouns

Personal pronouns are the most common type of pronoun. Here, we’ll go over personal pronouns in Turkish, phrases to help you understand how they work, and more information. 

1- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Person Singular Pronouns

• Ben (I): Ben çok yoruldum. “I am very tired.”

• Sen (you) Sen çok yoruldun. “You are very tired.”

• O (he/she) O çok yoruldu. “He/she/it is very tired.”

• Please note that the third singular person o is a Turkish gender-neutral pronoun.

• Unlike in English, in Turkish we add a suffix to the verb to emphasize the person. In daily life or conversational writing, Ben çok yoruldum could be replaced by a mere Çok yoruldum. Omitting the stand-alone pronoun doesn’t change the meaning. But stating it helps to emphasize that the subject is the first person.

• Even when using stand-alone pronouns, we must take care to add the appropriate endings to the verb. As you can see in the examples above, we add  -m, -n, and no endings to the verb for the first, second, and third person respectively.

2- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Person Plural Pronouns

• Biz (we):       Biz çok yorulduk. “We are very tired.”

• Siz (you):     Siz çok yoruldunuz. “You are very tired.”

• Onlar (they): Onlar çok yoruldular. “They are very tired.”

• The first, second, and third persons require adding a -k, -nuz, and -lar, respectively, to emphasize the subject.

A. Object Forms: 

• Ben (Me)
  Beni seviyorlar.
  “They love me.”

Add suffix: i, ı, o, ö, u, or ü according to the vowel pattern.

B. Formal / Honorific or Informal / Casual Forms: 

Biz; Siz (We; You) are used like the royal “we.” The plural meaning doubles as an honorific.

Example: 
Biz size emrettik.
“We ordered you.”

Here, both “we” and “you” are used formally and have plural meanings.

C. Direct Forms:

 Add -i: 
Ali ipi aldı.
“Ali took the string.”

Explanation:
ip + i

2. Turkish Possessive Pronouns

Possessive pronouns are what allow you to identify the owner of something without using the same noun over and over. Learn about Turkish possessive pronouns in this section to increase your Turkish skills and knowledge. 

Add -m to ben; add -n to sen; add nothing to o. 

Example: Benim kalemim. “My pencil.”

     Senin kalemin. “Your pencil.”

     Onun kalemi. “His/Her pencil.”

3. Demonstrative Pronouns in Turkish

Here are some demonstrative pronouns with examples of them in sentences. Notice the suffix that emphasizes the person respectively. 

Bu (This):
Bu kalem benim.
“This pencil is mine.”

Bunlar (These):
Bu kalemler benim.
“These pencils are mine.”

Plural (add -ler to the noun) 

O (That):
O kalem benim.
“That pencil is mine.”

Onlar (Those):
O kalemler benim.
“Those pencils are mine.”

Plural (add -ler to the noun)

1- Add a suffix (-ler/lar) to Make Plural: 

Bu beyaz.            “This is white.”
Bunlar beyaz. “These are white.”

2- Demonstrating Place: Burada; Orada: 

Burada (Here):
Ev burada.
“The house is here.”

Orada (There):         
Ev orada.
“The house is there.”

4. Turkish Interrogative Pronouns

• Ne (What):
  Sen ne hazırladın?
  “What did you prepare?”

• Hangisi (Which):
  Hangisi senin?
  “Which (one) is yours?”

• Kim/Kimin (Who/Whom/Whose):
  O elbise kimin?
  O elbise kimin?

• Nerede (Where):
  Senin evin nerede?
  “Where is your house?”

• Ne zaman (When):
  Ne zaman eve geldin?
  “When did you come home?”

• Neden (Why):
  Neden ekmek aldın?
  “Why did you get bread?”

5. Turkish Indefinite Pronouns

• Herkes (everyone/everybody):
  Herkes sevilmek ister.
  “Everyone wants to be loved.”

• Her yer (everywhere):
  Her yer karanlık.
  “Everywhere is dark.”

• Her şey (everything):
  Her şey hazır.
  “Everything is ready.”

• Birisi (Someone/somebody):
  Birisi benim çantamı getirmiş.
  “Somebody brought my bag.”

• Bir yer/bir yerler (somewhere):
  Ekmek satan bir yer biliyor musun?
  “Do you know somewhere we can get bread?”

• Bir şey (something):
  Sen bir şey saklıyorsun!
  “You are hiding something!”

• Hiç kimse (no one/nobody):
  Hiç kimse onu sevmiyor.
  “No one likes him/her.”

• Hiçbir yer (nowhere):
  Hiçbir yer İstanbul’a benzemez.
  “There’s nowhere like Istanbul.”

• Hiçbir şey (nothing):
  Bana hiçbir şey almadı.
  “He bought me nothing.”

• Kimse/Herhangi biri (anyone/anybody):
  Kimse var mı?
  “Is anybody there?”

• Herhangi bir yer (anywhere):
  Ben istediğim herhangi bir yere gidebilirim.
  “I can go anywhere I want.”

• Herhangi bir şey (anything):
  Herhangi bir şey istiyor musun?
  “Do you want anything?”

6. Turkish Relative Pronouns

Turkish relative pronouns are as follows:

• Which (hangi)
• That (o)
• Who (kim)
• Whom (kim)
• Whose (kimin)

In Turkish, you usually add a suffix to the noun even though you’ve used a relative pronoun:

relative pronoun + noun + relative suffix

Example 1:
Hangi ev senin? O ev benim.
“Which house is yours? That is mine.”

Example 2:
Kim ödevini yaptı?
“Who did their homework?”
Explanation: ödevini (ödev + ini)

Example 3:
Kimin kedisi miyavladı?
“Whose cat meowed?”
Explanation: kedisi (kedi + si)

7. The Turkish Reflexive Pronoun

The pronoun kendi (or “myself” in English) is used to emphasize the subject. You may see a personal pronoun plus the reflexive pronoun in the same sentence. Take a look at this example:

• Ben keki kendim yedim.
  “I ate the cake by myself.”

The meaning is the same when we omit the word kendim, but adding it emphasizes the fact that “I” was the one who ate.

According to the person, the reflexive or intensive pronoun kendi takes on different pronoun suffixes.

Singular

• Kendim
  Myself

• Kendin
  Yourself

• Kendi
  Himself/Herself

Plural

• Kendimiz
  Ourselves

• Kendileri
  Yourselves

• Kendileri
  Theirselves/Themselves

8. Suffixed Pronouns in Turkish

1. Motion Toward Suffixes

Add -e/-a to imply moving toward an object/person:

Bana (to me)

Sana (to you)

Ona (to him/her)

Bize (to us)

Size (to you)

Onlara (to them)

Examples:

Bana gidelim. Sana gidelim. Ona gidelim. (Singular: Let’s go to my / your / his place.)

Bize gidelim. Size gidelim. Onlara gidelim. (Plural: Let’s go to our / your / their place.)

2. Static Condition Suffixes

Add -de-da to a pronoun to imply a condition:

Bende (with* me)

Sende (with you)

Onda (with him/her)

Bizde (with us)

Sizde (with you – plural)

Onlarda (with them)

*note: depending on the context -de can be also translated as “in, on, at”

Examples:

Çanta bende. Çanta sende. Çanta onda. (Singular: The bag is with me / you / him.)

Çanta bizde. Çanta sizde. Çanta onlarda. (Plural: The bag is with us / you / them.)

3. Motion Away Suffixes

Add -den/-dan to imply moving away from something:

Benden (from me)

Senden (from you)

Ondan (from him/her)

Bizden (from us)

Sizden (from you – plural)

Onlardan (from them)

Examples:

Kedi benden kaçtı. Kedi senden kaçtı. Kedi ondan kaçtı. (Singular: The cat ran from me / you / him.)

Kedi bizden kaçtı. Kedi sizden kaçtı. Kedi onlardan kaçtı. (Plural: The cat ran from us / you / them.)

9. Things to Remember about the Use of Turkish Pronouns

Turkish pronouns and suffixes are short, but they add loads of meaning to a word or a whole sentence. Turkish differs from English in the way it relies heavily on suffixes to convey meaning quickly and easily. 

Here are a few points to take care of when using pronouns:

• The nasal -m and -n endings: The first and second person suffixes are both nasal sounds and may be easily confused. Take care not to. You could add a pronoun to emphasize which person you’re referring to, if this is helpful to you.

• Turkish is a genderless language. When it comes to Turkish pronouns, gender doesn’t matter; there’s no gender-specific pronouns for the third person. This is something that may take getting used to for English-speakers. You may need to add a noun after the pronoun, such as kadın meaning “woman,”  kız meaning “girl,” adam meaning “man,” or oğlan meaning “boy” to specify who you’re referring to.

Examples:

• Onu gördün mü? 
  “Did you see him/her?”

• Kimi gördüm mü?
  “Who are you talking about?”

• O kızı gördün mü?
  “Did you see her?”

• Because pronouns are used to replace nouns, it’ll be useful to strengthen your vocabulary with more nouns and adjectives. Having an expansive vocabulary will enable you to express yourself better. You can practice from noun lists and lists of adjectives to support your language-learning.

Once you get the hang of it, pronouns aren’t that hard to master. Make sure to practice reading and listening to Turkish so you’re immersed in the language for long periods and are exposed to all the sentence and word patterns.

Next, how about exploring further with adverbs and phrases for connecting thoughts? 

10. Conclusion

Before you go, let us know in the comments how you feel about Turkish pronouns so far. Do you find them difficult still, or are you getting the hang of it? We look forward to hearing from you!

Learn Turkish pronouns at TurkishClass101! You’ll find a wealth of resources and fun ways to engage in learning Turkish, including more insightful blog posts like this one and free Turkish vocabulary lists to help you broaden your word knowledge! Learning a new language can seem like an impossible task at times, but know that with enough determination and hard work, you’ll be speaking, reading, and writing Turkish like a native!

Time is a significant part of our lives. Whether you’re a tourist, a non-native student, a businessman/businesswoman, or a resident in Turkey, you’ll need to talk about time in Turkish at some point. This is inevitable because our entire life revolves around time.

Table of Contents

1. Time Format Used in Turkey
2. How to Ask the Time in Turkish
3. Time Past the Hour
4. Time Half Past the Hour
5. Time to the Hour
6. More Time-Related Words
7. Time Proverbs and Sayings about Time in Turkish
8. Conclusion: How TurkishClass101 Can Help You Master Turkish

1. Time Format Used in Turkey

You need to learn about the time format used in Turkey before learning how to say “What time is it?” in Turkish, don’t you? 

Actually, Turkey uses both the twelve-hour clock and the twenty-four-hour clock (military time). In daily life, when having informal conversations, people use the twelve-hour clock. However, the following words are added to clarify whether the mentioned time is a.m. or p.m. in Turkish:

• Sabah – “Morning”
• Öğleden sonra – “Afternoon”
• Akşam – “Evening”
• Gece – “Night”

Later, after we explain how to say “What time is it?” in Turkish, we’ll give you some examples of how exactly these words are used in context.

Turkey uses the twenty-four-hour clock system as well. However, it’s mostly used by airlines, transportation companies, press, and the media. In other words, this format is typically preferred in formal situations.

2. How to Ask the Time in Turkish

You definitely need to know how to ask about time in Turkish when:

–       using any means of transportation

–       traveling

–       you have a business meeting

–       you have a class or an exam

–       you’re in a race or any other kind of sports activity

–       you have a reservation or an appointment in Turkey

Of course, there may also be other cases where you need to ask “What is the time?” in Turkish.

Are you ready to ask the time in the Turkish language? If yes, let’s start!

• Saat – “Hour” or “Clock”
• Kaç – “How many?”
• Saat kaç? – “What time is it?” (Informal way of asking)
• Saatiniz kaç? – “What time is it?” (Formal way of asking)
• Afedersiniz saat kaç acaba? – “Excuse me; I wonder what time it is.” (Formal and more polite)

Undoubtedly, you also need to know the numbers to be able to tell the time in Turkish. Once you’ve gone over our number resource, check out this quick breakdown of how telling time in Turkish works:

• Saat dört.      – “It is four o’clock.”
• Saat dokuz.   – “It is nine o’clock.”
• Saat on bir.  – “It is eleven o’clock.”

Now, let’s try to use the words mentioned above to refer to a.m. and p.m. in Turkish:

• Sabah beş – “Five a.m.” (Five in the morning)
• Öğleden sonra iki – “Two p.m.” (Two in the afternoon)
• Akşam yedi – “Seven p.m.” (Seven in the evening)
• Gece iki – “Two a.m.” (Two in the morning—in Turkish, it’s two at night)

For better understanding, here are some complete sentences using these words:

• Sabah beşten beri ayaktayım. – “I’ve been up since five a.m. (five in the morning).”
• Öğleden sonra ikide gideceğim. – “I will go at two p.m. (two in the afternoon.”
• Eşim akşam yedide gelecek. – “My husband will come at seven p.m. (seven in the evening).”
• Gece ikide yattım. – “I went to bed at two a.m. (two in the morning).”

3. Time Past the Hour

When you want to talk about the time past the hour, such as “five past nine,” you say the hour first, followed by a suffix.

–   If the hour ends with a vowel, then it takes a buffer, -y, then a suffix, either -ı or -i.

–   If the hour ends with a consonant, then it takes one of the following suffixes based on the Turkish vowel harmony rules:

-i, -ı, -u, or -ü.

Then you can add the minutes followed by the word “past.” Unlike English, in Turkish, the past form of the verb “to pass” isn’t used; the present continuous form of the verb is used.

Here are some examples to help this make more sense:

• Saat onu beş geçiyor. – “It’s five past ten.” (suffix -u is used)
• Saat yediyi yirmi geçiyor. – “It’s twenty past seven.” (buffer -y and suffix -i are used)
• Geçmek – “To pass”
• Geçiyor – “Passing”

1- Quarter past

When you want to say “quarter past,” the same rules apply, except that çeyrek (“quarter”) is used where the minutes are placed. Here are a couple of examples:

• Saat onbiri çeyrek geçiyor.  – “It’s a quarter past eleven.” (suffix -i is used)
• Saat altıyı çeyrek geçiyor.     – “It’s a quarter past six.” (buffer -y and suffix -ı are used)

4. Time Half Past the Hour

Saying “half past the hour” in Turkish is as simple as saying the whole hour because you don’t need to worry about a buffer or a suffix. You just need to add the word for “half,” after saying the hour. This is how to say it:

• Saat iki buçuk. – “It’s half past two.”
• Saat on buçuk. – “It’s half past ten.”
• Buçuk – “Half”

However, there’s one more thing about “half past the hour” you need to know. If you want to say “half past twelve,” then there’s one more way of expressing it in Turkish, which is more common than the way mentioned above.

• Saat yarım. – “It’s half past twelve.”
• Yarım – “Half”

5. Time to the Hour

To tell the time to the hour, the hour comes first, followed by:

• The buffer, -y, then a suffix, either -e or -a, if the hour ends with a vowel.
• A suffix, either -e or -a, if the hour ends with a consonant.

Then add the minute and the word that corresponds to “to.”

• Saat yediye on var. – “It’s ten to seven.” (buffer -y and suffix -e are used)
• Saat dokuza beş var. – “It’s five to nine.” (suffix -a is used)
• Var – “There is/there are” (used for “to”)

1- Quarter to

When you want to say “quarter to,” the above rules apply, except that çeyrek (“quarter”) is used where the minutes are placed. Here are a couple of examples for you:

• Saat on ikiye çeyrek var. – “It’s a quarter to twelve.” (buffer -y and suffix -e are used)
• Saat üçe çeyrek var. – “It’s a quarter to three.” (suffix -e is used)

6. More Time-Related Words

Now that we’ve covered how to tell time in Turkish, let’s go over other words related to time in the Turkish language.

• Zaman/vakit – “Time”
• Dakika – “Minute”
• Saniye – “Second”
• Öğlen – “Noon”
• Gece yarısı – “Midnight”
• Şimdi – “Now”
• Bugün – “Today”
• Dün – “Yesterday”
• Yarın – “Tomorrow”
• Gün – “Day”
• Hafta – “Week”
• Ay – “Month”
• Yıl – “Year”
• Asır/yüzyıl – “Century”
• Önce – “Before” / “Ago”
• Sonra – “After”
• Hemen şimdi – “Right now”
• Şu an/şu anda – “Currently”
• Aynı zamanda – “At the same time”
• Mümkün olan en kısa zamanda – “As soon as possible”
• Yakında – “Soon”
• Uzun zamandır – “For a long time”
• Birazdan – “In a little while”

Let’s use some of these time-related words in sentences:

• O, beş dakika önce buradaydı. – “She/he was here five minutes ago.”
• Toplantıdan önce kahve içtim. – “I drank coffee before the meeting.”
• Dersten sonra konsere gideceğim. – “I will go to the concert after the class.”
• Bugün okula gitmeyeceğim. – “I won’t go to school today.”
• Bu yıl İtalya’ya gideceğim. – “I will go to Italy this year.”
• Şu an çalışmıyorum. – “Currently, I am not working.”
• Yakında orada olacağım. – “I will be there soon.”
• Onu hemen şimdi arıyorum. – “I am calling her/him right now.”
• Seni uzun zamandır görmedim. – “I haven’t seen you for a long time.”
• Mümkün olan en kısa zamanda geleceğim. – “I will come as soon as possible.”

Months and days are also related to time. However, we won’t cover them in this article. You can learn the Turkish words for them by reading our article named How to Read Dates.

You can also check our dictionary if you need to look up other words.

7. Time Proverbs and Sayings about Time in Turkish

Like all other languages, there are proverbs and sayings about time in Turkish as well. You have the answer to the question “How do you say what time is it in Turkish?”, so now it’s time to meet these commonly used Turkish time expressions:

• Vakit nakittir. – “Time is money.” (It means that wasting time or delaying something costs money.)
• Zaman uçup gider. – “Time flies.” (It means time passes amazingly quickly.)
• Zaman herşeyin ilacıdır. – “Time heals all wounds.” (It means that as the time passes, disappointments and heartaches go away gradually.)
• Zaman geçmek bilmiyor. – “Time hangs heavy on hands.” (It means that time seems to pass slowly.)
• Nefes alacak zamanım yok. – “I don’t have time to catch my breath.” (It means “I am very busy.”)
• Başımı kaşıyacak vaktim yok. – “I don’t have time to catch my breath.” (It also means “I am very 
• busy.” Both this expression and the one above can be used interchangeably.)

Which of these time expressions in Turkish is your favorite, and why? 

8. Conclusion: How TurkishClass101 Can Help You Master Turkish

As you can see, it’s not that complicated to learn to say “What is the time?” in Turkish or to answer the question yourself.  As long as you learn the rules explained above, you can easily tell the time in Turkish. Of course, practicing as much as possible will facilitate the learning process for you.

We think learning about time for Turkish beginners is easy now!  Do you know why? Please check out our website and see for yourself how simple the learning process can be with TurkishClass101! 

But before you go, let us know in the comments how you feel about telling time in Turkish. More comfortable, or is there still something you’re having a hard time with? We look forward to hearing from you! 

What are Turkish nouns? Well, words used to define living things, non-living things, and concepts, are called nouns. Here comes your first Turkish noun:

“Ad” / “isim” – “Noun”

Unlike in some languages, in Turkish grammar, nouns don’t have gender. In other words, a Turkish noun isn’t categorized as feminine or masculine.

Nouns in Turkish grammar are classified as follows:

1. According to the way they are given:
   1. Proper nouns
   2. Common nouns
2. According to the composition of the names:
   1. Abstract nouns
   2. Concrete nouns
3. According to the number:
   1. Singular nouns
   2. Plural nouns
   3. Collective nouns
4. According to the structure
   1. Simple nouns
   2. Nouns derived from other nouns
   3. Compound nouns

You can find more information on this, and more Turkish vocabulary, on Wikipedia. Of course, TurkishClass101.com also provides many practical and fun lessons for you! 

There are definite nouns in Turkish, as well as indefinite nouns. Definite nouns in Turkish are used in possessive constructions.

Further, Turkish doesn’t use any articles. Therefore, definite nouns in Turkish are indicated by accusative case suffixes. On the other hand, the absolute form is used for indefinite nouns in Turkish. 

Both definite nouns in Turkish and indefinite nouns in Turkish are covered on our website on TurkishClass101.com, in detail.

Table of Contents

1. Nouns Related to Transportation and Time
2. Turkish Nouns for Food, Utensils, and Tableware
3. Nouns about Occupations
4. Nouns Related to Family Members
5. Nouns about Appliances
6. Technology-Related Nouns
7. School-Related Nouns
8. Nouns Related to Body Parts
9. Conclusion

1- Nouns Related to Transportation and Time

Let’s assume that you’re traveling to Turkey. When you arrive at the airport there, you might need to use basic nouns in Turkish to meet some of your conversation requirements.

1- Time

Due to the time difference, you may be confused about the time and date. In this case, you may need to ask:

Bugün Pazartesi mi?

“Is today Monday?”

Saat kaç?

“What time is it?”

Someone can answer those questions as follows:

Hayır, dün Pazartesi idi. Bugün Salı. 

“No, yesterday was Monday. Today is Tuesday.”

Saat 5’i 10 geçiyor.

“It’s 10 after 5.”

You can have other conversations about time as well:

Yarın Ankara’ya uçacağım.

“I will be flying to Ankara tomorrow.”

2 saat 45 dakika içinde başka bir uçuşum var. 

“I have another flight in two hours and forty-five minutes.”

Here are some other time-related nouns in Turkish that you can use:

–          Pazartesi     –  “Monday”

–          Salı               – “Tuesday”

–          Çarşamba    – “Wednesday”

–          Perşembe   – “Thursday”

–          Cuma           – “Friday”   

–          Cumartesi    –  “Saturday”

–          Pazar           – “Sunday”

–          Gün              – “Day”

–          Hafta           – “Week”

–          Ay                – “Month”

–          Yıl            – “Year”

–          Saat             – “Hour”

–          Dakika         – “Minute”

–          Dün              – “Yesterday”

–          Bugün          – “Today”

–          Yarın            – “Tomorrow”

Don’t miss out on our article about words that define time in Turkish.

Furthermore, you can learn more Turkish adjectives and nouns on TurkishClass101.com.

2- Transportation

Here are some sentences about transportation using basic nouns in Turkish:

Uçak – “Airplane”

Bu uçak çok büyük.

“This airplane is very big.”

Havaalanı – “Airport”

Bu havaalanı çok küçük.

“This airport is very small.”

Tren istasyonu – “Train station” & Tren – “Train”

Tren istasyonu nerede? İlk trene yetişmem lazım. 

“Where is the train station? I have to catch the first train.”

Bisiklet – “Bicycle”

Buradan bisiklet kiralayabilir miyim?

“Can I rent a bike here?”

Here’s are some more Turkish nouns you can use when talking about transportation:

–          Metro – “Subway”

–          Otobüs – “Bus”

–          Taksi – “Taxi”

–          Otobüs durağı – “Bus stop”

–          Trafik ışıkları – “Traffic lights”

–          Yol – “Road”

–          Araba – “Car”

2- Turkish Nouns for Food, Utensils, and Tableware

Let’s say you’re hungry and decide to eat at a restaurant at the airport before getting on your next flight within Turkey.  Following are some popular Turkish nouns you can use when you’re eating at a restaurant.

Masa – “Table”

Bu masa boş mu?

“Is this table available?”

Menü – “Menu”

Menüyü alabilir miyim?

“Can I have the menu?”

Kase – “Bowl” / Tavuk – “Chicken” / Sebze – “Vegetable”

Bir kase çorba, tavuk ve yanına da biraz sebze istiyorum. 

“I’d like a bowl of soup, chicken, and some vegetables on the side.”

Su – “Water” / Bira – “Beer” / Şarap – “Wine”

Su mu, bira mı, şarap mı istersiniz?

“Would you like water, beer, or wine?”

Çatal – “Fork”/ Bıçak – “Knife”

Bir çatal ve bıçak alabilir miyim lütfen?

“May I get a fork and a knife, please?”

Türk kahvesi – “Turkish coffee” / Çay – “Tea”

Türk kahvesi veya çay ister miydiniz?

“Would you like Turkish coffee or tea?”

You can check out our website to learn more about the Turkish terms used at a restaurant and Turkish nouns for food, utensils, and tableware.

3- Nouns about Occupations

Now that you’re on the plane, you might want to have a small conversation with the Turkish man sitting next to you. You can start with a sincere:

Merhaba!

“Hello!” 

Then you can introduce yourself and talk about your occupation, and ask about his.

Doktor – “Doctor” / Meslek – “Occupation”

Ben doktorum. Sizin mesleğiniz nedir?

“I’m a doctor. What is your occupation?”

Avukat – “Lawyer” / Hemşire – “Nurse”

Ben avukatım ama eşim hemşire.

“I’m a lawyer, but my wife is a nurse.”

Here’s a Turkish nouns list for other occupations:

–          Mühendis   –       “Engineer”

–          Öğretmen    –       “Teacher”

–          İş adamı      –       “Businessman”

–          İş kadını       –       “Businesswoman”

–          Yönetici       –       “Manager”

–          Mimar         –       “Architect”

Please check out  our article about jobs for more information on finding a job in Turkey, and what to expect while working there.

4- Nouns Related to Family Members

Here’s a Turkish nouns list you can use to introduce your family:

• Aile              –       “Family”

• Eş                 –       “Spouse”

• Kız evlat       –       “Daughter”

• Erkek evlat  –       “Son”

• Anne            –       “Mom”

• Baba            –       “Dad”

• Ebeveyn       –       “Parent”

• Kuzen           –       “Cousin”

• Çocuk           –       “Child”

For even more of the most common nouns in Turkish used for family, check out our article about family members!

Of course, you can broaden your vocabulary for family members as well, using our free vocabulary list.

5- Nouns about Appliances

After a tiring trip, you’re finally at the hotel. You might have some questions about some of the appliances.

Klima – “Air conditioner”

Klimayı açmama yardımcı olabilir misiniz lütfen?   

“Can you help me turn on the air conditioner, please?”

Buzdolabı –”Fridge”

Buzdolabı çalışmıyor. 

“The fridge doesn’t work.”

Mikrodalga fırın – “Microwave”

Odada mikrodalga fırın yok.

“There is no microwave in the room.”

Saç kurutma makinesi – “Hair dryer”

Bana başka bir saç kurutma makinesi gönderebilir misiniz lütfen?

“Can you send me another hair dryer, please?”

Televizyon – “TV”

Televizyon çalışmıyor.

“The TV is not working.”

Çamaşır makinesi – “Washer” / Kurutucu – “Dryer”

Yakında bir çamaşır makinesi ve kurutucu var mı?

“Is there a washer and a dryer nearby?”

Fan; havalandırma – “Fan”

Banyodaki fan çalışmıyor. 

“The fan in the bathroom is not working.”

Please refer to the following link for even more of the most common nouns in Turkish related to appliances.

6- Technology-Related Nouns

After a good night’s rest, you have a meeting with a colleague the next day. You’re in a conference room, and, of course, you might need to use some nouns in Turkish related to technology. Here you go:

Wi-Fi –”Wi-Fi”

Bu konferans salonunda Wi-Fi var mı?

“Is there Wi-Fi in this conference room?”

Şarj aleti – “Charger” / Cep telefonu – “Cell phone”

Şarj aletimi evrak çantamdan alıp cep telefonumu şarj etmeme izin verin. 

“Let me take my charger from my briefcase and charge my cell phone.”

Tablet – “Tablet” / Dizüstü bilgisayar – “Laptop”

Tabletimi otelde unuttum ama dizüstü bilgisayarım yanımda.

“I forgot my tablet at the hotel, but I have my laptop with me.”

Bilgisayar  – “Computer”

Oo, odada bir bilgisayar da var.

“Oh, here is also a computer in the room.”

Dosya – “File”

Size göstermek istediğim dosya bu.

“This is the file I want to show you.”

Şifre – “Password”

İlk önce şifremi girmeme izin verin.

“Let me enter my password first.”

Resim – “Picture” / Web sitesi – “Website”

Resmi size web sitesinden göstereceğim.

“I will show you the picture from the website.”

You can go to TurkishClass101.com to learn more nouns about technology.

7- School-Related Nouns

You’re invited over to your colleague’s house for dinner.

You like children, and you have your own kids. You’d like to have a conversation with your colleague’s kid. Here are some basic nouns in Turkish related to school.

–          Lise                    –          “High school”

–          Ortaokul          –          “Middle school”

–          İlkokul               –          “Elementary school”

–          Ödev                 –          “Homework”

–          Öğretmen       –          “Teacher”

–          Sınav                 –          “Exam”

–          Kitap                  –          “Book”

–          Proje                 –          “Project”

–          Defter              –          “Notebook”

–          Kalem               –          “Pen” or “Pencil”

Here’s an example of a conversation you can carry out with your colleague’s child about school using these nouns:

A: Liseye mi gidiyorsun?

A: “Are you going to high school?”

B: Evet, liseye gidiyorum.

B: “Yes, I’m going to high school.”

A: Kızım ortaokula gidiyor, oğlum da ilkokula gidiyor. Ödevini bitirdin mi?

A: “My daughter goes to middle school and my son goes to elementary school. Have you completed your homework?”

B: Öğretmenim çok ödev veriyor ama ben bitirdim.

B: “My teacher gives a lot of homework, but I completed it.”

A: O zaman ne yapıyorsun?

A: “What are you doing then?”

B: Yarın sınavım var ama projem ile ilgili kitap okuyorum.

B: “I have an exam tomorrow, but I’m reading a book about my project.”

A: Projen ne hakkında?

A: “What is your project about?”

B: Projem insan vücudu hakkında. 

B: “My project is about body parts.”

Guess what? Here’s an opportunity for you to learn body parts in Turkish.

8- Nouns Related to Body Parts

A: Oo, bana Türkçe vücud organlarını öğretebilir misin?

A: “Oh, can you teach me body parts in Turkish?”

B: Tabi ki.

B: “Sure.”

A: Bana bir defter ve kalem verebilir misin? Not almak istiyorum.

A: “Can you give me a notebook and a pen? I want to take notes.”

B: Tabi. İşte burada. Kelimeler şöyle:

B: “Sure. Here you go. The words are as follows:”

–          Vücut           –       “Body”

–          Baş; kafa     –       “Head”

–          Omuz           –       “Shoulder”

–          Kol              –       “Arm”

–          El                 –       “Hand”

–          Bacak           –       “Leg”

–          Ayak             –       “Foot”

–          Yüz               –       “Face”

–          Göz             –       “Eye”

–          Burun          –       “Nose”

–          Ağız             –       “Mouth”

–          Kulak           –       “Ear”

–          Parmak       –       “Finger”

9. Conclusion

We hope you had a nice trip and were able to use your Turkish, and learn some new Turkish nouns. Are you interested in learning even more about nouns in Turkish so that you can express yourself better? Our Turkish dictionary is a great place to find more words for your Turkish nouns vocabulary bank! 

Know that your hard work will pay off, and you’ll be speaking, reading, and writing Turkish like a native before you know it!

What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing’s for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, “We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us.” The older I get, the more I agree with him!

Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person’s journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you’re planning to stay in Turkey for more than a quick visit, you’re sure to need at least a few ‘life events’ phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it’s generally expected that we will show up with good manners and warm wishes.

Table of Contents

1. Life Events
2. Marriage Proposal Lines
3. Talking About Age
4. Conclusion

1. Life Events

Do you know how to say “Happy New Year” in Turkish? Well, the New Year is a pretty big deal that the whole world is in on! We celebrate until midnight, make mindful resolutions, and fill the night sky with the same happy words in hundreds of languages. No doubt, then, that you’ll want to know how to say it like a local!

Big life events are not all about fun times, though. Real life happens even when you’re traveling, and certain terminology will be very helpful to know. From talking about your new job to wishing your neighbors “Merry Christmas” in Turkish, here at TurkishClass101, we’ve put together just the right vocabulary and phrases for you.

1- Birthday – doğumgünü

If you’re like me, any excuse to bring out a pen and scribble a note is a good one. When there’s a birthday, even better: hello, handwriting!

Your Turkish friend will love hearing you wish them a “Happy birthday” in Turkish, but how much more will they appreciate a thoughtful written message? Whether you write it on their Facebook wall or buy a cute card, your effort in Turkish is sure to get them smiling! Write it like this:

Doğum günün kutlu olsun

Now that you know the words, I challenge you to put them to music and sing your own “Happy birthday” song in Turkish! It’s not impossible to figure out even more lyrics, once you start discovering the language from scratch.

2- Buy – Almak

If there’s a special occasion, you might want to buy somebody a gift. As long as you’ve checked out Turkish etiquette on gift-giving (do a Google search for this!), it will be a lovely gesture. If you’re not sure what to buy, how about the awesome and universally-appealing gift of language? That’s a gift that won’t stop giving!

3- Retire – emekli olmak

If you’re planning to expand your mind and retire in Turkey, you can use this word to tell people why you seem to be on a perpetual vacation!

Retirement is also a great time to learn a new language, don’t you think? And you don’t have to do it alone! These days it’s possible to connect to a vibrant learning community at the click of a button. The added benefit of a Daily Dose of Language is that it keeps your brain cells alive and curious about the world. After all, it’s never too late to realize those long-ignored dreams of traveling the globe…

4- Graduation – mezuniyet

When attending a graduation ceremony in Turkey, be prepared for a lot of formal language! It will be a great opportunity to listen carefully and see if you can pick up differences from the everyday Turkish you hear.

5- Promotion – terfi

Next to vacation time, receiving a promotion is the one career highlight almost everyone looks forward to. And why wouldn’t you? Sure, it means more responsibility, but it also means more money and benefits and – the part I love most – a change of scenery! Even something as simple as looking out a new office window would boost my mood.

6- Anniversary – yıl dönümü

Some anniversaries we anticipate with excitement, others with apprehension. They are days marking significant events in our lives that can be shared with just one person, or with a whole nation. Whether it’s a special day for you and a loved one, or for someone else you know, this word is crucial to know if you want to wish them a happy anniversary in Turkish.

7- Funeral – cenaze

We tend to be uncomfortable talking about funerals in the west, but it’s an important conversation for families to have. Around the world, there are many different customs and rituals for saying goodbye to deceased loved ones – some vastly different to our own. When traveling in Turkey, if you happen to find yourself the unwitting observer of a funeral, take a quiet moment to appreciate the cultural ethos; even this can be an enriching experience for you.

8- Travel – gezmek

Travel – my favorite thing to do! Everything about the experience is thrilling and the best cure for boredom, depression, and uncertainty about your future. You will surely be forever changed, fellow traveler! But you already know this, don’t you? Well, now that you’re on the road to total Turkish immersion, I hope you’ve downloaded our IOS apps and have your Nook Book handy to keep yourself entertained on those long bus rides.

9- Graduate – mezun olmak

If you have yet to graduate from university, will you be job-hunting in Turkey afterward? Forward-looking companies sometimes recruit talented students who are still in their final year. Of course, you could also do your final year abroad as an international student – an amazing experience if you’d love to be intellectually challenged and make a rainbow of foreign friends!

10- Wedding – evlilik

One of the most-loved traditions that humans have thought up, which you’ll encounter anywhere in the world, is a wedding. With all that romance in the air and months spent on preparations, a wedding is typically a feel-good affair. Two people pledge their eternal love to each other, ladies cry, single men look around for potential partners, and everybody has a happy day of merrymaking.

Ah, but how diverse we are in our expression of love! You will find more wedding traditions around the world than you can possibly imagine. From reciting love quotes to marrying a tree, the options leave no excuse to be boring!

11- Move – taşınmak

I love Turkey, but I’m a nomad and tend to move around a lot, even within one country. What are the biggest emotions you typically feel when moving house? The experts say moving is a highly stressful event, but I think that depends on the circumstances. Transitional periods in our lives are physically and mentally demanding, but changing your environment is also an exciting adventure that promises new tomorrows!

12- Be born – doğmak

I was not born in 1993, nor was I born in Asia. I was born in the same year as Aishwarya Rai, Akon, and Monica Lewinsky, and on the same continent as Freddy Mercury. When and where were you born? More importantly – can you say it in Turkish?

13- Get a job – iş bulmak

The thought of looking for a job in a new country can be daunting, but English speakers are in great demand in Turkey – you just have to do some research, make a few friends and get out there! Also, arming yourself with a few Turkish introductions that you can both say and write will give you a confidence boost. For example, can you write your name in Turkish?

14- Die – ölmek

Death is a universal experience and the final curtain on all other life events. How important is it, then, to fully live before we die? If all you have is a passport, a bucket list, and a willingness to learn some lingo, you can manifest those dreams!

15- Home – Ev

If home is where the heart is, then my home is on a jungle island completely surrounded by the turquoise ocean. Right now, though, home is an isolation room with a view of half a dry palm tree and a tangle of telephone wires.

If you’re traveling to Turkey for an extended stay, you’ll soon be moving into a new home quite unlike anything you’ve experienced before!

16- Job – iş

What job do you do? Does it allow you much time for travel, or for working on this fascinating language that has (so rightfully) grabbed your attention? Whatever your job, you are no doubt contributing to society in a unique way. If you’re doing what you love, you’re already on the road to your dream. If not, just remember that every single task is one more skill to add to your arsenal. With that attitude, your dream job is coming!

17- Birth – doğum

Random question: do you know the birth rate of Turkey?

If you’re lucky enough to be invited to see a friend’s baby just after they are born, you’ll have all my respect and all my envy. There is nothing cuter! Depending on which part of the country you’re in, you may find yourself bearing witness to some pretty unexpected birth customs. Enjoy this privilege!

18- Engaged – nişanlanmak

EE Cummings said, “Lovers alone wear sunlight,” and I think that’s most true at the moment she says “yes.” Getting engaged is something young girls dream of with stars in their eyes, and it truly is a magical experience – from the proposal, to wearing an engagement ring, to the big reveal!

In the world of Instagram, there’s no end to the antics as imaginative couples try more and more outrageous ways to share their engagement with the world. I love an airport flashmob, myself, but I’d rather be proposed to on a secluded beach – salt, sand, and all!

Engagement customs around the world vary greatly, and Turkey is no exception when it comes to interesting traditions. Learning their unique romantic ways will inspire you for when your turn comes.

Speaking of romance, do you know how to say “Happy Valentine’s Day” in Turkish?

19- Marry – evlenmek

The one you marry will be the gem on a shore full of pebbles. They will be the one who truly mirrors your affection, shares your visions for the future, and wants all of you – the good, the bad and the inexplicable.

From thinking up a one-of-a-kind wedding, to having children, to growing old together, finding a twin flame to share life with is quite an accomplishment! Speaking of which…

2. Marriage Proposal Lines

Ah, that heart-stopping moment when your true love gets down on one knee to ask for your hand in marriage, breathlessly hoping that you’ll say “Yes!” If you haven’t experienced that – well, it feels pretty darn good, is all I can say! If you’re the one doing the asking, though, you’ve probably had weeks of insomnia agonizing over the perfect time, location and words to use.

How much more care should be taken if your love is from a different culture to yours? Well, by now you know her so well, that most of it should be easy to figure out. As long as you’ve considered her personal commitment to tradition, all you really need is a few words from the heart. Are you brave enough to say them in Turkish?

3. Talking About Age

Part of the wonder of learning a new language is having the ability to strike up simple conversations with strangers. Asking about age in this context feels natural, as your intention is to practice friendly phrases – just be mindful of their point of view!

When I was 22, I loved being asked my age. Nowadays, if someone asks, I say, “Well, I’ve just started my fifth cat life.” Let them ponder that for a while.

In Turkey, it’s generally not desirable to ask an older woman her age for no good reason, but chatting about age with your peers is perfectly normal. Besides, you have to mention your birthday if you want to be thrown a birthday party!

4. Conclusion

Well, there you have it! With so many great new Turkish phrases to wish people with, can you think of someone who has a big event coming up? If you want to get even more creative, TurkishClass101 has much to inspire you with – come and check it out! Here’s just some of what we have on offer at TurkishClass101:

• Free Resources: Sharing is caring, and for this reason, we share many free resources with our students. For instance, start learning Turkish with our basic online course by creating a lifetime account – for free! Also get free daily and iTunes lessons, free eBooks, free mobile apps, and free access to our blog and online community. Or how about free Vocabulary Lists? The Turkish dictionary is for exclusive use by our students, also for free. There’s so much to love about TurkishClass101…!
• Innovative Learning Tools and Apps: We make it our priority to offer you the best learning tools! These include apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Mac OSX; eBooks for Kindle, Nook, and iPad; audiobooks; Roku TV and so many more. This means that we took diverse lifestyles into account when we developed our courses, so you can learn anywhere, anytime on a device of your choice. How innovative!
• Live Hosts and One-on-One Learning: Knowledgeable, energetic hosts present recorded video lessons, and are available for live teaching experiences if you upgrade. This means that in the videos, you get to watch them pronounce those tongue-twisters, as if you’re learning live! Add octane to your learning by upgrading to Premium Plus, and learn two times faster. You can have your very own Turkish teacher always with you, ensuring that you learn what you need, when you need to – what a wonderful opportunity to master a new language in record time!
• Start Where You Are: You don’t know a single Turkish word? Not to worry, we’ve absolutely got this. Simply enroll in our Absolute Beginner Pathway and start speaking from Lesson 1! As your learning progresses, you can enroll in other pathways to match your Turkish level, at your own pace, in your own time, in your own place!

Learning a new language can only enrich your life, and could even open doors towards great opportunities! So don’t wonder if you’ll regret enrolling in TurkishClass101. It’s the most fun, easy way to learn Turkish.

Did you know that every minute of the day, one billion tons of rain falls on the earth? Hard to believe, considering the climate crisis! Of course, all that rain is not equally shared across the planet.

So, would you mention this fascinating fact to your new Turkish acquaintance? Well, small talk about local weather is actually a great conversation-starter. Everyone cares about the weather and you’re sure to hear a few interesting opinions! Seasons can be quite unpredictable these days and nobody knows the peculiarities of a region better than the locals.

TurkishClass101 will equip you with all the weather vocabulary you need to plan your next adventure. The weather can even be an important discussion that influences your adventure plans. After all, you wouldn’t want to get caught on an inflatable boat with a two-horsepower motor in Hurricane Horrendous!

Table of Contents

1. Talking about the weather in Turkey
2. Words for the first day of spring
3. Do You Know the Essential Summer Vocabulary?
4. Must-Know Autumn vocabulary
5. Winter
6. TurkishClass101 can prepare you for any season.

1. Talking about the weather in Turkey

If you’re like me, your day’s activity plan is likely to begin with a strong local coffee and a chat about what the sky is doing. After all, being prepared could be the difference between an amazing day and a miserable one! Luckily, it’s not difficult to comment on Turkish weather – just start with these simple words and phrases.

1- The rain is falling on the street – Yağmur sokağa yağıyor.

Watercolor artists, take out your paints! You might not be able to venture out on foot today, but just embrace the rain as part of your Turkish experience. When the rain stops, the air will be clean and colours vibrant.

2- The snow has covered everything – Kar herşeyi kapladı.

A fresh blanket of snow is irresistibly beautiful. Pull on your boots and beanie, and leave your tracks in this foreign landscape. Don’t resist the urge to build a snowman – you need this!

3- Fluffy cloud – kabarık bulut

When you’re waiting for a warm beach day, fluffy white clouds in a blue sky are a good sign. Don’t forget your sunscreen, as clouds will intensify the UV rays hitting your skin.

4- The water froze on the glass – Su bardakta dondu.

Night temperatures can get chilly and might freeze the condensation on your windows. A good way to clear them up is with warm salt water.

5- The heavy rain could cause flash flooding – Bu şiddetli yağmur ani sele neden olabilir.

If you’re visiting Turkey in the wet season, it’s important to stay informed when heavy rain sets in, so keep an eye on the weather radar. Avoid river activities and rather spend this time making a home-cooked meal and brushing up on your Turkish weather words.

6- Flood – sel

If you do get caught in a flood, your destination should no longer be ‘home’, but the nearest high ground.

7- The typhoon has hit – Tayfun vurdu.

Not all countries experience typhoons, but you need to know when to prepare for one! It will be very scary if you’ve never experienced one before. Your local neighbours are the best people to advise you on where to take shelter, as they’ve been doing it for generations. Be sure to get the low-down at the first sign of rough weather!

8- Check the weather report before going sailing – Yelkenle gitmeden önce hava raporunu kontrol edin.

When planning an outdoor activity, especially on a body of water, always be prepared for a change in the weather. Ask your hotel receptionist or neighbour where you can get a reliable daily weather report, and don’t forget your sweater!

9- Today’s weather is sunny with occasional clouds – Bugünkü hava, zaman zaman bulutlu ve güneşli.

Sunny weather is the dream when traveling in Turkey! Wake up early, pack the hats and sunblock and go and experience the terrain, sights and beautiful spots. You’ll be rewarded with happy vibes all around.

10- A rainy day – yağmurlu bir gün

Remember when you said you’d save the Turkish podcasts for a rainy day? Now’s that day!

11- Scenic rainbow – manzaralı gökkuşağı

The best part about the rain is that you can look forward to your first rainbow in Turkey. There’s magic in that!

12- Flashes of lightning can be beautiful, but are very dangerous – Şimşek çakmaları güzel olabilir ama aynı zamanda tehlikelidir.

Lightning is one of the most fascinating weather phenomena you can witness without really being in danger – at least if you’re sensible and stay indoors! Did you know that lightning strikes the earth 40-50 times per second? Fortunately, not all countries experience heavy electric storms!

13- 25 degrees Celsius – Yirmi beş santigrat derece

Asking a local what the outside temperature will be is another useful question for planning your day. It’s easy if you know the Turkish term for ‘degrees Celsius’.

14- Seventy-seven degrees Fahrenheit – yetmiş yedi Fahrenayt derece

Although the Fahrenheit system has been replaced by Celsius in almost all countries, it’s still used in the US and a few other places. Learn this phrase in Turkish in case one of your companions develops a raging fever.

15- A clear sky – Açık gökyüzü

Clear skies mean you’ll probably want to get the camera out and capture some nature shots – not to mention the great sunsets you’ll have later on. Twilight can lend an especially magical quality to a landscape on a clear sky day, when the light is not filtered through clouds.

16- Light drizzle – hafif çisi

Days when it’s drizzling are perfect for taking in the cultural offerings of Turkey. You could go to the mall and watch a Turkish film, visit museums and art galleries, explore indoor markets or even find the nearest climbing wall. Bring an umbrella!

17- Temperature – sıcaklık

Because of the coronavirus, many airports are conducting temperature screening on passengers. Don’t worry though – it’s just a precaution. Your temperature might be taken with a no-touch thermometer, which measures infrared energy coming off the body.

18- Humid – nemli

I love humid days, but then I’m also a water baby and I think the two go
together like summer and rain. Find a pool or a stream to cool off in – preferably in the shade!

19- With low humidity the air feels dry – Düşük nemli hava çok kuru hissedilir.

These are the best days to go walking the hills and vales. Just take at least one Turkish friend with you so you don’t get lost!

20- The wind is really strong – Rüzgar gerçekten şiddetli.

A strong wind blows away the air pollution and is very healthy in that respect. Just avoid the mountain trails today, unless you fancy being blown across the continent like a hot air balloon.

21- It’s windy outside – Dışarısı rüzgarlı

Wind! My least favourite weather condition. Of course, if you’re a kitesurfer, a windy day is what you’ve been waiting for!

22- Wet roads can ice over when the temperature falls below freezing – Islak yollar sıcaklık sıfırın altına düştüğünde buzlanır.

The roads will be dangerous in these conditions, so please don’t take chances. The ice will thaw as soon as the sun comes out, so be patient!

23- Today is very muggy – Bugün hava çok bunaltıcı

Muggy days make your skin feel sticky and sap your energy. They’re particular to high humidity. Cold shower, anyone? Ice vest? Whatever it takes to feel relief from the humidity!

24- Fog – sis

Not a great time to be driving, especially in unknown territory, but keep your fog lights on and drive slowly.

25- Hurricane – kasırga

Your new Turkish friends will know the signs, so grab some food and candles and prepare for a night of staying warm and chatting about wild weather in Turkey.

26- Killer tornado – Büyük hortum

If you hear these words, it will probably be obvious already that everyone is preparing for the worst! Definitely do whatever your accommodation hosts tell you to do when a tornado is expected.

27- It’s cloudy today – Bugün hava bulutlu.

While there won’t be any stargazing tonight, the magnificent clouds over Turkey will make impressive photographs. Caption them in Turkish to impress your friends back home!

28- Below freezing temperatures – dondurucu sıcaklıkların atında

When the temperature is below freezing, why not take an Uber and go shopping for some gorgeous Turkish winter gear?

29- Wind chill is how cold it really feels outside – Hissedilen sıcaklık, dışarıda hissedilen gerçek sıcaklıktır

Wind doesn’t change the ambient temperature of the air, it just changes your body temperature, so the air will feel colder to you than it actually is. Not all your Turkish friends will know that, though, so learn this Turkish phrase to sound really smart!

30- Water will freeze when the temperature falls below zero degrees celsius – Su sıcaklık sıfır santigratın altına düştüğünde donar.

If you’re near a lake, frozen water is good news! Forgot your ice skates? Don’t despair – find out where you can hire some. Be cautious, though: the ice needs to be at least four inches thick for safe skating. Personally, I just slide around on frozen lakes in my boots!

31- Waiting to clear up – açılması için beklemek

Waiting for the weather to clear up so you can go exploring is frustrating, let’s be honest. That’s why you should always travel with two things: a scintillating novel and your Turkish Nook Book.

32- Avoid the extreme heat – aşırı sıcaktan kaçınmak

Is the heat trying to kill you? Unless you’re a hardened heatwave hero, definitely avoid activity, stay hydrated and drink electrolytes. Loose cotton or linen garb is the way to go!

33- Morning frost – sabah kırağısı

Frost is water vapour that has turned to ice crystals and it happens when the earth cools so much in the night, that it gets colder than the air above it. Winter is coming!

34- Rain shower – sağanak yağmur

Rain showers are typically brief downpours that drench the earth with a good drink of water.

35- In the evening it will become cloudy and cold – Akşamüzeri hava bulutlanmaya başlayacak ve soğuk olacak.

When I hear this on the Turkish weather channel, I buy a bottle of wine (red, of course) and wood for the fireplace. A cold and cloudy evening needs its comforts!

36- Severe thunderstorm – Şiddetli fırtına

Keep an eye on the Turkish weather maps if it looks like a big storm is coming, so you’ll be well-informed.

37- Ice has formed on the window – Camda buz oluştu

You could try this phrase out on the hotel’s helpful cleaning staff, or fix the problem yourself. Just add a scoop or two of salt to a spray bottle of water – that should work!

38- Large hailstones – Büyük dolu taneleri

As a kid, I found hail crazy exciting. Not so much now – especially if I’m on the road and large hailstones start pummeling my windscreen!

39- Rolling thunder – şiddetli gök gürültüsü

The rumble of rolling thunder is that low-volume, ominous background sound that goes on for some time. It’s strangely exciting if you’re safely in your hotel room; it could either suddenly clear up, or escalate to a storm.

40- Sleet – Dolu

Sleet is tiny hard pieces of ice made from a mixture of rain and melted snow that froze. It can be messy, but doesn’t cause major damage the way hail does. Pretty cool to know this word in Turkish!

2. Words for the first day of spring

You know the feeling: your heart skips a beat when you wake up and spring has sprung! Spring will reward you with new blossoms everywhere, birdsong in the air, kittens being born in the neighborhood and lovely views when you hit the trails. Pack a picnic and ask a new Turkish friend to show you the more natural sights. Don’t forget a light sweater and a big smile. This is the perfect time to practice some Turkish spring words!

3. Do You Know the Essential Summer Vocabulary?

Summer! Who doesn’t love that word? It conjures up images of blue skies, tan skin, vacations at the beach and cruising down the coast in an Alfa Romeo, sunglasses on and the breeze in your hair. Of course, in Turkey there are many ways to enjoy the summer – it all depends on what you love to do. One thing’s for sure: you will have opportunities to make friends, go on picnics, sample delicious local ice-cream and maybe even learn to sing some Turkish songs. It’s up to you! Sail into Turkish summer with this summer vocab list, and you’ll blend in with ease.

4. Must-Know Autumn vocabulary

Victoria Ericksen said, “If a year was tucked inside of a clock, then autumn would be the magic hour,” and I agree. Who can resist the beauty of fall foliage coloring the Turkish landscape? Birds prepare to migrate; travelers prepare to arrive for the best weather in Turkey.

The autumnal equinox marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator, making day and night almost equal in length. The cool thing about this event is that the moon gets really bright – the ‘harvest moon’, as it’s traditionally known.

So, as much as the change of season brings more windy and rainy days, it also brings celebration. Whether you honor Thanksgiving, Halloween or the Moon Festival, take some time to color your vocabulary with these Turkish autumn words.

5. Winter

Winter is the time the natural world slows down to rest and regroup. I’m a summer girl, but there are fabulous things about winter that I really look forward to. For one, it’s the only season I get to accessorize with my gorgeous winter gloves and snug down coat!

Then, of course, there’s ice skating, holiday decorations and bonfires. As John Steinbeck said, “What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” Get ready for the cold season with our list of essential Winter words!

6. TurkishClass101 can prepare you for any season.

Now that you know how to inquire and comment on the weather in Turkey, you
can confidently plan your weather-ready travel itinerary. How about this for an idea: the next
time you’re sitting in a Turkish street café, try asking someone local this question:

“Do you think the weather will stay like this for a few days?” If you loved learning these cool Turkish weather phrases with us, why not take it a step further and add to your repertoire? TurkishClass101 is here to help!

We all know that dates are used for timekeeping. The purpose of dates seems to be very simple, right? Yes, it may seem so, but dates are much more important for us.

Have you ever thought if dates hadn’t existed;

• How we would know and celebrate special days and holidays;
• How we would set appointments;
• How we would follow up on our deadlines and schedules;
• How we would make travel arrangements
• How we would determine academic calendars?

As such, you need to learn about date and time in Turkish if you are interested in learning Turkish for some reason. Considering all the facts above, dates are not required only in our native languages, but also in foreign languages we are exposed to.

Therefore, this article will help you with dates in Turkish language. However, if you are also interested in telling the time in Turkish, you can click here. 

Don’t forget that date related questions and phrases will also aid you in starting conversations.

Table of Contents

1. Vocabulary Related to Dates
2. Days of the Week in Turkish
3. Months in Turkish
4. How to Tell Dates in Turkish
5. Must-Know Phrases to Talk about Dates
6. How to Make an Appointment
7. Discover More About the Turkish Language on TurkishClass101.com

1. Vocabulary Related to Dates

Before learning how to write the date in Turkish and Turkish date format, let’s take a look at some vocabulary relevant to dates.

Turkish	English
Tarih	Date
Gün	Day
Ay	Month
Hafta	Week
Yıl/Sene	Year
Haftasonu	Weekend
Hafta içi	Weekday
Dün	Yesterday
Bugün	Today
Yarın	Tomorrow
Gelecek Hafta/Ay/Yıl	Next Week/Month/Year

2. Days of the Week in Turkish

Knowing the days of the week in Turkish will definitely help you in your date related small talks, which will keep your conversations going.

Turkish	English
Pazartesi	Monday
Salı	Tuesday
Çarşamba	Wednesday
Perşembe	Thursday
Cuma	Friday
Cumartesi	Saturday
Pazar	Sunday

I will provide you with some info, which might be helpful in remembering some days. The word “Pazartesi” (Monday) comes from the phrase “Pazar ertesi”, which means after “Pazar” (Sunday).

Same logic is true for “Cumartesi” (Saturday). It means “Cuma ertesi”, which specifies the day after Friday.

Here are a few rules on how to write days:

• Days used to indicate a specific date start with a capital letter:

Ex: Bu yıl okullar 18 Haziran Cuma günü kapanacak. – Schools will be closed on Friday, June 18^th this year.

• Days are written in small letters unless they are the first word of the sentence or they are used with a number next to them.

Ex: Her perşembe spor salonuna gidiyorum. – I go to the gym every Thursday.  

Salı sınavım var. – I have an exam on Tuesday.

15 Aralık Çarşamba günü orada olacağım. – I will be there on Wednesday, December 15^th.

3. Months in Turkish

Months are the essential parts of dates. Therefore, you should also learn the names of the twelve months in Turkish.  

Turkish	English
Ocak	January
Şubat	February
Mart	March
Nisan	April
Mayıs	May
Haziran	June
Temmuz	July
Ağustos	August
Eylül	September
Ekim	October
Kasım	November
Aralık	December

Here are some rules on how to write months:

• Months used to indicate a specific date start with a capital letter:

Ex: 29 Ekim kutlamaları başladı. – October 29^th celebrations have started.  

• Months are written in small letters unless they are the first word of the sentence or they are used with a number before or after them.

Ex:.Seçimler eylülde yapılacak. – Elections will be held in September.

   Sınavlar 21 Ocak’ta yapılacak. – Exams will be held on January 21.

   Otelimiz Şubat’ın 14’ünde bir parti düzenleyecek. – Our hotel will organize a party on the 14th of February.   

• Months are not abbreviated in Turkish, so you wouldn’t write “Haz” for “June.”

4. How to Tell Dates in Turkish

Now that you know the basic vocabulary about dates in Turkish, days and the months of the year in Turkish, let’s put together all you have learnt and get the hang of the date format in Turkish and how to write dates in Turkish.

1. Date Format in Turkish

Don’t be surprised if you see a date like this in Turkey: 31.03.2021

This is definitely not a mistake. Unlike the “Month-Day-Year” date format of the USA, “Day-Month-Year” (dd/mm/yyyy) date format is used in Turkish.

2. How to write the date in Turkish

You know the Turkish date format, now. Let’s see the different ways of writing dates in Turkish:

• 7 Aralık 2021 (7 December 2021)
• 7.12.2021
• 7/12/2021
• 7-12-2021

3. How to say the years in Turkish

Years are pronounced like any other big numbers in Turkish. Here are a few examples followed by some hints:

Year	Turkish	English
2021	İki bin yirmi bir	Two thousand twenty-one
1968	Bin dokuz yüz altmış sekiz. Literally: Thousand nine hundred sixty eight	Nineteen sixty-eight.

You need to pay attention to 2 things here:

• In Turkish you never say “ondokuz altmış sekiz” (nineteen sixty-eight.); “yirmi yirmibir” (twenty twenty-one) You pronounce them as 4-digit numbers.
• In Turkish, if the year starts with a “one”, you never say “one thousand”; you just say “thousand.” Please refer to the literal translation above.

You can click here if you’d like to know more about numbers in Turkish.

5. Must-Know Phrases to Talk about Dates

1. Ordinal numbers

In English, it’s a common way to use ordinal numbers to tell the dates. However, this is not the case in Turkish.  Ordinal numbers are used only to tell which day of the week or the month represents a date. A few examples will follow the ordinal numbers in Turkish:   

Turkish	English	Turkish	English
Birinci	First	Üçüncü	Third
İkinci	Second	Dördüncü	Fourth
Beşinci	Fifth	On dokuzuncu	Nineteenth
Altıncı	Sixth	Yirminci	Twentieth
Yedinci	Seventh	Yirmi birinci	Twenty first
Sekizinci	Eighth	Yirmi ikinci	Twenty second
Dokuzuncu	Nineth	Yirmi üçüncü	Twenty third
Onuncu	Tenth	Yirmi dördüncü	Twenty fourth
On birinci	Eleventh	Yirmi beşinci	Twenty fifth
On ikinci	Twelfth	Yirmi altıncı	Twenty sixth
On üçüncü	Thirteenth	Yirmi yedinci	Twenty seventh
On dördüncü	Fourteenth	Yirmi sekizinci	Twenty eighth
On beşinci	Fifteenth	Yirmi dokuzuncu	Twenty ninth
On altıncı	Sixteenth	Otuzuncu	Thirtieth
On yedinci	Seventeenth	Otuz birinci	Thirty first
On sekizinci	Eighteenth

Ex: Her yıl mayıs ayının ikinci haftasonu Anneler Gününü kutlarız. – We celebrate Mother’s Day on the second weekend of May every year.

Her ayın üçüncü iş gününde satış toplantım var. – I have a sales meeting on the third business day of every month.

Doktor 2022’nin yedinci ayına kadar çalışmama izin vermedi. – The doctor did not let me work until the seventh month of 2022.

2. Sample phrases

Here are some questions and answers for your reference:

A: Bugün günlerden ne? – What´s the day today?
B: Bugün günlerden pazartesi. – Today is Monday.

A: Bugün ayın kaçı? – What’s the date today?
B: Bugün ayın 10’u. – Today is the tenth.

A: Doğum günün ne zaman? – When is your birthday?
B: Doğum günüm 10 Eylül’de – My birthday is on September 10th.

A: Doğum tarihin ne? – What is your birthdate?
B: 3 Aralık 2007. – December 3^rd, 2007.

A: Ne zaman mezun oldun? – When did you graduate?
B: 2019’da. – In 2019.

A: Sömestr tatili ne zaman başlıyor? – When does the semester break start?
B: Mart’ta – In march.

6. How to Make an Appointment

It’s always good to know how to make an appointment in another language as you may need it both in your personal and professional life. Let’s take a look at the following examples to see how you can set an appointment in Turkish:

• 26 Nisan için bir randevu rica edebilir miyim? – May I request an appointment for April 26th?
• 14 Şubat için herhangi bir planın var mı? – Do you have any plans for February 14th?
• Bundan böyle her ayın 5. günü buluşalım mı? – Shall we meet on the 5th day of every month from now on?
• 1 Ocak’ta buluşalım mı? – Shall we meet on January 1st?

7. Discover More About the Turkish Language on TurkishClass101.com

You’ve now learnt quite a bit about dates in Turkish language. Since dates are used from agricultural purposes to social reasons, from civil needs to religious principles, there is more to explore about them!

Best way to learn Turkish dates further is to check TurkishClass101,  which has numerous audio recordings, tons of vocabulary lists and free resources including the dictionary you can refer to, in order to get a better grasp of Turkish language and the culture.

Don’t forget that there is also MyTeacher, which is the premium service of TurkishClass101 that you can use to practice 1-on-1 with a private teacher.

Do you know what is also good about it? You can download the app for free and use it wherever you are.

Last but not the least; please continue to provide us feedback about all the resources provided at TurkishClass101!

When learning Turkish, “family” is one of the topics you need to be able to talk about because in all areas of life, you will be frequently hearing about family.

“I was late because I had to take my daughter to school this morning.” “I am unhappy because my in-laws will be staying with us all summer long.” “My brother is the problem child.” “The relatives of the old woman are waiting for her to die to get the inheritance.” “My cousin is an idiot.” Do any of these sentences sound familiar in terms of context? Most probably yes! These are some sentences you may hear from a colleague, a friend, a family member etc. in your daily life.

You will not only hear about family, but you will also have to talk about it and need family vocabulary because “family” is always a good conversation starter.

In this article, first of all, the Turkish family structure, which will create a communication ground for you, will be mentioned, and then the vocabulary related to family and idioms and proverbs that involve family in Turkish will be explained.

Table of Contents

1. Family Life in Turkey
2. General Vocabulary for Family in Turkish
3. Turkish Vocabulary for Family Members Who are Related by Blood
4. Turkish Vocabulary for Family Members Who are not Related by Blood
5. Questions and Answers about Family
6. Idioms and Proverbs about family and family members
7. All About the Turkish Language and the Culture

1. Family Life in Turkey

Turkish culture is family oriented. Family ties are really strong in Turkey. Although there have been changes in the culture regarding family life, certain things such as family support, family members living close to one another, coming together for holidays and the respect for the elderly remained unchanged.

It’s common that single grown-up children no matter at what age they are continue to live with their parents. This has recently started to change in urban areas, though. Also, some nuclear families live with grandparents. In general, patriarchal culture is dominant. Let’s see what other features a typical Turkish family has.

A- Marriage

Marriage age, type, and related traditions between urban and rural areas often differ. Let’s see what kind of differences exist in Turkish marriage and family life in different parts of Turkey:

• In rural areas

Families in Turkey usually expect their children to get married and have kids. In rural areas, people, especially women get married at early ages. Arranged marriages are more common in rural areas.

Weddings are more traditional in the backlands.

• In urban areas

Arranged marriages exist in urban areas, too. However, modern Turkish families in urban areas are more supportive of dating. Arranged marriages are getting less and less in bigger cities every day. On the other hand, unfortunately the divorce rate is getting higher.

Average age of marriage in bigger cities is higher than that of the rural areas.

B- Family structure

Rural areas have different family structures than urban regions. Some differences will be highlighted below.

• In rural areas

In rural areas, usually extended families live all together. Children are important in Turkish families. However, especially in rural areas there is usually a preference for boys over girls. Although this inclination does not often affect the way they are raised and their family’s expectations of them, in rural places, girls are usually raised to be more passive and boys are encouraged to be more dominant.

• In urban areas

There is more emphasis on the nuclear family concept in urban areas. However, there are some families who live with grandparents.

As indicated above, Turkish people value children very much. In urban areas, people usually have 2 to 3 children. On the other hand, in rural areas, couples usually have many children; in some regions 10-12 kids are not uncommon.

2.   General Vocabulary for Family in Turkish

Here are some general Turkish family words for your reference:

Turkish	English
Aile	Family
Aile bireyleri/fertleri/üyeleri	Family members
Aile yapısı	Family structure
Aile bağları	Family ties
Aile ilişkileri	Family relations
Akrabalar	Relatives
Ata	Ancestor
Soy ağacı	Family tree

3.   Turkish Vocabulary for Family Members Who are Related by Blood

A- Vocabulary for nuclear family

Here is the vocabulary for the nuclear family members (parents and children) in Turkish:

Turkish	English
Anne	Mother
Baba	Father
Ebeveyn	Parent
Çocuk/Çocuklar	Child/Children
Kız evlat	Daughter
Erkek evlat	Son
Kardeş	Sibling
Kız kardeş	Younger sister
Abla	Older sister
Erkek kardeş	Younger brother
Ağabey	Older brother

B- Vocabulary for extended family

Below is a list of extended family members in Turkish:

Turkish	English
Büyükanne	Grandmother
Büyükbaba/Dede	Grandfather
Anneanne	Maternal grandmother
Babaanne	Paternal grandmother
Torun	Grandchild
Kız torun	Granddaughter
Erkek torun	Grandson
Teyze	Maternal aunt
Hala	Paternal aunt
Dayı	Maternal uncle
Amca	Paternal uncle
Yeğen	Niece/nephew
Kuzen	Cousin

4.  Turkish Vocabulary for Family Members Who are not Related by Blood

A- Couples

Here are the words you can use to introduce your partner in Turkish:

Turkish	English
Eş	Spouse/Partner
Karı	Wife
Koca	Husband
Eski eş	Ex-spouse
Eski karı	Ex-wife
Eski koca	Ex-husband

B- In-laws

Once you get married, your family grows and then you have many “in-laws.” Here is how you can call your in-laws in Turkish:

Turkish	English
Kayınvalide/kaynana	Mother in-law
Kayınpeder	Father in-law
Gelin	Daughter in-law
Damat	Son in-law
Baldız	Sister in-law (Wife’s sister)
Görümce	Sister in-law (Husband’s sister)
Kayınbirader	Brother in-law (Husband’s brother)
Bacanak	Brother in-law (Wife’s sister’s husband)

C- Recomposed family

Sometimes marriages don’t work out and when you remarry someone, a new family is established together with the children of the previous marriages. In such a case, you can define family relations with the following Turkish words:

Turkish	English
Üvey anne	Stepmother
Üvey baba	Stepfather
Üvey çocuk	Stepchild
Üvey kız	Stepdaughter
Üvey oğul	Stepson
Üvey kız kardeş	Younger stepsister
Üvey abla	Older stepsister
Üvey erkek kardeş	Younger stepbrother
Üvey ağabey	Older stepbrother

D- Others

You might find this interesting, but we have separate words for uncle’s wife and aunt’s husband in Turkish. These words help us understand specifically whom you are talking about.

Turkish	English
Yenge	Aunt (maternal and paternal uncle’s wife)
Enişte	Uncle (maternal and paternal aunt’s husband)

5.   Questions and Answers about Family

There will be times when you will need to ask family and kinship related questions and there will be other times when you’ll be exposed to questions about your own family. Therefore, it might be a good idea to take a look at the questions and answers below.

Question in Turkish	Answer in Turkish	Question in English	Answer in English
Evli misiniz?	Evet evliyim/Hayır bekarım.	Are you married?	Yes, I am married. /No, I’m single.
Çocuğunuz var mı?	Evet, iki tane var.	Do you have a child?	Yes, I have two.
Anneniz sağ mı?	Hayır, iki sene önce öldü.	Is your mother alive?	No, she died two years ago.
Kaç kardeşiniz var?	Ben tek çocuğum.	How many siblings do you have?	I’m the only child.
Ebeveynleriniz ile mi yaşıyorsunuz.?	Hayır, yalnız yaşıyorum.	Are you living with your parents?	No, I am living alone.
Eşiniz nerede çalışıyor?	O, bir bankada çalışıyor.	Where does your spouse work?	She works at a bank.

6.   Idioms and Proverbs about family and family members

Idioms and proverbs provide an insight into the culture of a country and inspire us.

How about learning some of the well-known idioms and proverbs in Turkish that contain family vocabulary or themes to impress your Turkish friends and colleagues?

A- Idioms

Turkish	English
Baba ocağı	Family home
Ana kuzusu	Mama’s boy
Aile yadigarı	Family heirloom
Baba nasihatı	Fatherly advice
Anne-baba ahı almak	To be cursed by the mother/father for one’s cruelty
Yuva kurmak	To start a family
Yuva yıkmak	Break up a family
Analı babalı büyümek Note: This is usually used as a good wish when a baby is born.	Grow up with a mother and a father

B- Proverbs

Turkish	English
Çocuk evin meyvesidir.	Child is the fruit of a home.
Teyze ana yarısıdır.	Maternal aunt is half of a mother.
Kız halaya, oğlan dayıya çeker.	Daughter resembles the paternal aunt and the son resembles the maternal uncle.
Çocuktan al haberi.	Children and fools tell the truth.
Büyük baba koruk yermiş, torununun dişi kamaşırmış.	Literally: Grandfather eats unripe grapes, grandchild’s teeth get sensitive. It means that if someone does something wrong, his/her children or grandchildren will pay the price for his mistake.
Yuvayı dişi kuş yapar.	Man makes house, woman makes home. Literally: The nest is built by the female bird.

If you are interested in learning more Turkish proverbs, click here.

7.   All About the Turkish Language and the Culture

In this article, you learned about the Turkish family structure and the vocabulary for family members in Turkish. However, there is always more to know!

Therefore, visit TurkishClass101, which has numerous audio recordings, tons of vocabulary lists and free resources including the dictionary you can refer to, in order to get a better grasp of Turkish language and the culture.

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