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!

Have you ever played with Legos or blocks? You may find this question odd, so let me explain. 

I think that words resemble individual Legos or blocks. If you put them together randomly, you’re not going to build a meaningful structure. The same is true for words. 

Depending on the characteristics of a language, words have to be in a certain order to form meaningful sentences. You can’t just put one after the other with a hit-or-miss approach. This makes Turkish word order and sentence structure a can’t-miss aspect of learning the language.

Would you like to learn about word order in Turkish grammar and basic sentence structure in Turkish? Then I recommend that you read through this article carefully and take notes on the most significant points.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Turkish Sentence Structure
2. First Stop: SOV Word Order in Regular Sentences
3. Second Stop: Word Order in Inverted Sentences
4. Third Stop: Word Order in Elliptical Sentences
5. Next Stop: Word Order in Prepositional Phrases
6. Another Stop: Placing Modifiers in a Turkish Sentence
7. Turning Simple Turkish Sentence Structures into Complex Ones
8. The Journey isn’t Over Yet!

1. Introduction to Turkish Sentence Structure

Word order is basically the sequence in which words are placed in a sentence. As I mentioned above, it’s important to learn this because placing words in the wrong order will result in nonsense, ambiguity, confusion, and incorrect sentences.

Now, let’s learn about word order in Turkish grammar!

The typical Turkish word order is SOV (Subject-Object-Verb), which means that the subject comes first, followed by an object, and then a verb. Let’s go over what a subject, object, and verb are:

• A subject is the person or thing that performs the action.
• An object is a noun or noun phrase that the verb affects.
• A verb is a word that represents an action or state.

Here’s an example:

• Ben Türkçe öğreniyorum. – “I am learning Turkish.”

    Subject    Object   Verb   (SOV)

Hang on to your hat now; I have good news. Turkish word order is more flexible than word order in English! You can put an object or a verb at the beginning of a sentence. The meaning won’t change, but the word you’re stressing will definitely change. 

Here are some examples of how Turkish language word order can vary:

Subject-Object-Verb	Ben kızımı özlüyorum.	“I miss my daughter.”
Subject-Verb-Object	Ben özlüyorum kızımı.	“I miss my daughter.”
Object-Subject-Verb	Kızımı ben özlüyorum.	“I miss my daughter.”
Object-Verb-Subject	Kızımı özlüyorum ben.	“I miss my daughter.”
Verb-Subject-Object	Özlüyorum ben kızımı.	“I miss my daughter.”
Verb-Object-Subject	Özlüyorum kızımı ben.	“I miss my daughter.”

As you can see, I mixed the word order quite a bit and still expressed the same thing. However, the emphasis is on different words, which are indicated in blue text.

There’s one point that I emphasize in almost all of the articles I write, and that is: Turkish personal pronouns are usually not used in sentences. This is because the suffixes at the end of verbs imply the pronoun.

There are different types of sentences in Turkish, based on certain factors. We’ll just take a look at the types according to the sequence of words. These types are:

• Regular sentences
• Inverted sentences
• Elliptical sentences

Now let’s begin dissecting the word order rules in Turkish for regular sentences.

2. First Stop: SOV Word Order in Regular Sentences

In the regular Turkish sentence structure, verbs are placed at the end.

1- Positive Sentences

•  Yarın alışverişe gideceğim. – “I will go shopping tomorrow.”
•  Okul bugün başladı. – “The school started today.”
• Bugün çok hastayım. – “I am very sick today.”

2- Negative Sentences

• Yarın alışverişe gitmeyeceğim. – “I won’t go shopping tomorrow.”
• Okul bugün başlamadı. – “The school didn’t start today.”
•  Bugün hasta değilim. – “I am not sick today.”

3- Imperative Sentences

• Buraya gel! – “Come here!”
• Acele et! – “Hurry up!”
• Çeneni kapa! – “Shut up!”

4- Interrogative Sentences

There are two different types of interrogative sentences:

A- Questions with Question Words

In regular sentences, question words usually come first. However, they can also come right before the verb without changing the meaning. The verb is placed at the end of this type of interrogative sentence. 

• Ne zaman alışverişe gideceksin? – “When will you go shopping?”

Alışverişe ne zaman gideceksin?

• Hangi okula başladın? – “Which school did you start?”
• Neden hastalandın? – “Why did you get sick?”
• Nereye gideceksin? – “Where will you go?”
• Bugün ne yapacaksın? – “What will you do today?”

B- Yes-or-No Questions

To create a yes-or-no question, interrogative particles (-mı,-mi, -mu, -mü, and their conjugated forms) are placed at the end, and the verbs come right before them.

• Yarın alışverişe gidecek misin? – “Will you go shopping tomorrow?”
• Okul bugün başladı mı? – “Did the school start today?”
• Bugün hasta mısın? – “Are you sick today?”

3. Second Stop: Word Order in Inverted Sentences

In this case, verbs can be placed anywhere in the sentence, except at the end. 

Inverted sentences are usually used:

• In daily conversations
• In poems
• In proverbs (to make the words rhyme)
• As short answers to questions

1- Positive Sentences

• Alışverişe gideceğim yarın. – “I will go shopping tomorrow.”
• Okul başladı bugün. – “The school started today.”
• Çok hastayım bugün. – “I am very sick today.”

2- Negative Sentences

• Alışverişe gitmeyeceğim yarın. – “I won’t go shopping tomorrow.”
• Bugün başlamadı okul. – “The school didn’t start today.”
• Hasta değilim bugün. – “I am not sick today.”

3- Imperative Sentences

• Gel buraya! – “Come here!”
• Kapa çeneni! – “Shut up!”
• Çık dışarı! – “Get out!”

4- Interrogative Sentences

• Alışverişe gidecek misin yarın? – “Will you go shopping tomorrow?”
• Bugün başladı mı okul? – “Did the school start today?”
• Hastalandın mı bugün? – “Did you get sick today?”
• Ne zaman gideceksin alışverişe? – “When will you go shopping?”
• Ne yapacaksın bugün? – “What will you do today?”
• Nerede seyrettin o filmi? – “Where did you watch that movie?”
• Neden gelmediniz dün? – “Why didn’t you come yesterday?”

4. Third Stop: Word Order in Elliptical Sentences

Sentences that don’t have verbs are called elliptical sentences. As you’ll remember, there aren’t separate words for “is” and “are” in Turkish, but there are suffixes that are added to the nouns. These suffixes give the meaning of the verb “to be.” In noun clauses, if the “to be” verb is skipped, then they become elliptical sentences. There’s also another case in which the verb is omitted and the reader is expected to complete the sentence.

1- Sentences Where the Judgment is Up to the Reader

• Yepyeni bir başlangıç… – “A brand-new start…”
• Şahane bir manzara… – “Fantastic scenery…”
• Akıllıca! – “Reasonable!”

2- Noun Clauses

• Orası çok uzak. – “That place is too far.”
• O güzel bir kız. – “She is a beautiful girl.”

3- Coordinating Conjunctions

• Önce yemek, sonra oynayabilirsin. – “First food, then you can play.”
• Önce süt, sonra yatmalısın. – “First milk, then you have to go to bed.”
• Haydi, duşa, sonra da akşam yemeği yiyeceğiz. – “Come on to the shower, and then we will have dinner.”

5. Next Stop: Word Order in Prepositional Phrases

Prepositional phrases give us more details about nouns and verbs in a sentence. Basically, they help us understand a sentence better. They might function as adjectives or adverbs.

Prepositions normally come after a noun in Turkish. For example: Araba [noun] ile [preposition] (“By car”).

A preposition forms a prepositional phrase when it combines with the preceding words or word groups. It becomes a modifier in this case. In Turkish, the modified element is placed at the end. However, in prepositional phrases, it’s a dependent element and is placed at the beginning. This is a situation that doesn’t follow the rules.

For example:

İstanbul’a araba ile gidecekler. – “They will go to Istanbul by car.”

Here are more examples of the word order in Turkish sentences when prepositional phrases are used:

• Benim için sorun yok. – “No problem for me.”
• Okula doğru yürüdüm. – “I walked towards school.”
• Bir çiçek kadar güzelsin. – “You are as beautiful as a flower.”
• Çocuğun gürültüsüyle uyandı. – “He/she woke up from the noise of the child.” 
• Ok gibi kirpikleri var. – “He/she has eyelashes like arrows.”
• Uykusuzluğuna rağmen arabayı kullandı. – “Despite his/her sleeplessness, he/she drove the car.”

1- Adverbs of Manner

If a preposition is grouped with an abstract word, then it becomes an adverb of manner. An adverb of manner is usually placed before the verb, and it expresses how the action is performed.

• Bana sevinçle sarıldı. – “He/she hugged me happily.” (How did he/she hug?)
• Soruları hızlıca yanıtladı. – “He/she answered the questions quickly.” (How did he/she answer the questions?)

2- Adverbs of Time

Some of the time-related words become adverbs of time when grouped together with other words. These adverbs are located at the beginning of the sentence, unless the sentence has a subject.

• Sabaha kadar ders çalıştık. – “We studied until the morning.” (How long did we study?)
• Akşama doğru vardık. – “We arrived towards the evening.”

3- Adverbs of Place

Adverbs of place are generally placed before the verb. However, unlike adverbs of manner, they can be placed in other parts of a sentence.

• Beri gel, konuşalım. – “Come near me, so we can talk.”
• Öğretmen içeri girdi. – “The teacher came inside.”

 

6. Another Stop: Placing Modifiers in a Turkish Sentence

What is a Modifier?

It’s a word, phrase, or clause that functions as an adjective or adverb. A modifier provides additional information or details about another word or word group for more emphasis, thus changing or clarifying a sentence.

A modifier can also be a group of words that gives more information about a noun to answer the “which” question. Other ones are groups of words that answer the “when,” “where,” “how,” or “why” questions.

A noun can modify another noun by taking place immediately before it:

• Mutfak masası – “Kitchen table”
• Trafik lambası – “Traffic light” 

Present participles can modify nouns:

• Gülümseyen çocuk – “Smiling kid”
• Koşan adam – “Running man”

Past participles can modify nouns:

• Yanmış ekmek – “Burnt bread”
• Sönmüş balon – “Deflated balloon”  

   Demonstrative adjectives:

• Şu ev – “That house”
• Bu anahtar – “This key”

In Turkish, modifiers are always used before nouns, except for certain cases when the modifiers come after the pronoun or noun. 

Prepositional phrases: We covered this topic above.

Adjective clauses:

•  Bahçede basketbol oynayan çocuklar – “Children who are playing basketball in the garden”
• Sokakta bağıran çocuklar – “Children who are screaming on the street”

Articles: Only the indefinite article bir is used before nouns in Turkish:

• Bir tren – “A train”
• Bir ülke – “A country”

There’s no definite article “the” as a separate word in the Turkish language. When definite nouns or pronouns are used as an object, then they take the -ı, -i, -u, or -ü suffixes based on the vowel harmony rules.

Definite nouns as objects:

• Defter – i aldım. -“I took the notebook.”
• Atkı – (y)ı yıkadım. – “I washed the scarf.”

Proper nouns as objects:

When proper nouns are used as objects, they also get the -ı, -i, -u, or -ü suffixes based on the vowel harmony rules. Unlike in English, proper nouns can be used with definite articles in Turkish, meaning that they also take suffixes. 

• Geçen hafta Mary’yi gördüm. – “I saw Mary last week.”
• James’i özledim. – “I missed James.”

Pronouns as objects:

• Biz-i unuttunuz. – “You forgot us.”
• O-nu özledim. – “I missed him/her/it.”

 If a definite noun is used as the subject of a sentence, it does not need the suffixes mentioned above.

• Annem bana bir kedi aldı, ama kedi kaçtı. – “My mother bought me a cat, but the cat ran away.”

Similarly, when active sentences are transformed into passive ones, the objects that become subjects don’t take the suffixes:

• Kırmızı bardağı kırdım. – “I broke the red glass.” (Active voice)
• Kırmızı bardak kırıldı. – “The red glass was broken.” (Passive voice) 

Possessive pronouns:

In Turkish, there aren’t separate words to express possessive pronouns. However, the -m, -ım, -im, -um, and -üm suffixes (in conjugated forms) come after the pronoun to make it possessive.

• Benim – “My”
• Onların – “Their”

Possessive pronouns can be ignored because the nouns they’re modifying also take suffixes, which imply the possessive pronoun. However, if you need to emphasize the possessive pronoun for some reason, then you can use it in the sentence.

• Benim odam çok küçük. – “My room is very small.”
• Odam çok küçük. – “My room is very small.”

• Sizin arabanız nerede? – “Where is your car?”
• Arabanız nerede? – “Where is your car?”

The infinitives can also be used in noun compounds. There are four kinds of infinitives in Turkish:

1. The -mek and -mak infinitives. Ex: gelmek (“to come”) and oynamak “(to play”). These infinitives are not used in noun compounds.

2. The -me and -ma infinitives. Ex: gelme (“to come”) and oynama (“to play”).

•  Çocuğun ağlaması hepimizi üzdü. – “The child’s crying saddened all of us.”
• Yemeğin pişmesini bekliyorum. – “I’m waiting for the food to cook.”

3. The -dik, -dık, -dük, -duk, -tik, -tık, -tük, and -tuk infinitives.

• Kızımın neden ağladığını bilmiyorum. – “I don’t know why my daughter is crying.”
• Ne istediğini söylemelisin. – “You must say what you want.”

4. The -iş, -ış, -üş, and -uş infinitives. They’re used as subjects or objects in sentences.

• Onun dönüşünü bekliyorum. – “I’m waiting for him/her to return.”
• Güneşin batışını seyrediyorum. – “I’m watching the sunset.”

7. Turning Simple Turkish Sentence Structures into Complex Ones

Now that the theory part is over, I’m sure everything will fall into place in this section. I’m about to give you plenty of examples to study and practice with.

I’ll start with a simple Turkish sentence structure and keep adding to it. 

• Okula gideceğim. (“I will go to school.”)
• Yarın okula gideceğim. (“I will go to school tomorrow.”)
• Yarın saat yedide okula gideceğim. (“I will go to school at seven tomorrow.”) 
• Yarın saat yedide kardeşimle okula gideceğim. (“I will go to school with my sibling at seven tomorrow.”)
• Yarın saat yedide kardeşimle yürüyerek okula gideceğim. (“I will go to school by foot with my sibling at seven tomorrow.”)
•  Yarın saat yedide kardeşimle yürüyerek okula mı gideceğim? (“Will I go to school by foot with my sibling at seven tomorrow?”)
• Yarın saat yedide kardeşimle yürüyerek nereye gideceğim? (“Where will I go by foot with my sibling at seven tomorrow?”) 
• Yarın saat yedide yürüyerek kimle okula gideceğim? (“With whom will I go to school by foot at seven tomorrow?”)

• Kahve içtim. (“I drank coffee.”) 
• Bir fincan kahve içtim. (“I drank a cup of coffee.”) 
• Bir fincan Türk kahvesi içtim. (“I drank a cup of Turkish coffee.”) 
• Bir fincan şekersiz Türk kahvesi içtim. (“I drank a cup of Turkish coffee with no sugar.”)
• Arkadaşımla bir fincan şekersiz Türk kahvesi içtim. (“I drank a cup of Turkish coffee with no sugar with my friend.”) 
• Bu sabah arkadaşımla bir fincan şekersiz Türk kahvesi içtim. (“This morning,I drank a cup of Turkish coffee with no sugar with my friend.”) 
• Bu sabah bir kafede arkadaşımla bir fincan şekersiz Türk kahvesi içtim. (“This morning, I drank a cup of Turkish coffee with no sugar at a cafe with my friend.”) 
• Bu sabah bir kafede arkadaşımla bir fincan şekersiz Türk kahvesi mi içtim? (“Did I drink a cup of Turkish coffee with no sugar at a cafe with my friend?”) 
• Bu sabah arkadaşımla nerede bir fincan şekersiz Türk kahvesi içtim? (“Where did I drink a cup of Turkish coffee with no sugar with my friend?”)

• Onun dönüşünü kutladık. (“We celebrated his/her return.”) 
• Dün gece onun dönüşünü kutladık. (“Last night, we celebrated his/her return.”) 
• Dün gece bir restoranda onun dönüşünü kutladık. (“Last night, we celebrated his/her return at a restaurant.”) 
• Dün gece bir restoranda arkadaşlarımızla onun dönüşünü kutladık. (“Last night, we celebrated his/her return at a restaurant with our friends.”) 
• Dün gece bir restoranda arkadaşlarımızla onun dönüşünü coşkuyla kutladık. (“Last night, we celebrated his/her return with joy with our friends at a restaurant.”) 
• Dün gece bir restoranda arkadaşlarımızla onun dönüşünü coşkuyla mı kutladık? (“Did we celebrate his/her return with joy with our friends at a restaurant last night?”) 
• Dün gece bir restoranda arkadaşlarımızla neyi coşkuyla kutladık? (“What did we celebrate with joy with our friends at a restaurant last night?”)

8. The Journey isn’t Over Yet!

Do you feel better about Turkish word order and sentence structure now, after seeing how flexible they are compared to English? Do you think the journey ends here with this article? 

Of course not! 

Now it’s time for you to practice making more complex sentences. I highly recommend that you visit TurkishClass101.com to use our free resources as well as our Premium PLUS service, MyTeacher, upon upgrading.  

Please note that your feedback about your experience with TurkishClass101 will be greatly appreciated, as always.

Happy learning!

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! 

Nowadays, nearly everyone has a GPS or some sort of navigation app. But it’s still important to know how to ask for directions in Turkish because locals can give you valuable information about shortcuts that could save you time. Plus, it’s a good excuse for small talk and practicing speaking in the target language. Not to mention the fact that you can’t always rely on having a good internet connection or GPS signal! You may end up relying on your directions in Turkish vocabulary more often than you think…and directions in Turkish lessons like this one are a great place to start.

Table of Contents

1. Basic Question Form: “….. Nerede?”
2. Cardinal Directions in Turkish
3. Major City Directions in Turkish
4. Getting Places – How to Ask and Give Directions in Turkish
5. Most Common Turkish Directions – How to Understand Them
6. Asking for Directions in Turkish on the Street – Urban Terminology
7. Points of Reference for Giving Directions in Turkish
8. Dialogue Playouts
9. How to Thank Someone for Giving Directions in Turkish Words
10. The Not-So-Helpful Direction-Giver
11. Continue to Learn About Directions in Turkish

1. Basic Question Form: “….. Nerede?”

Turkish is a straightforward, easy-to-learn language. Grammatically, it’s very consistent, meaning you don’t need to worry about irregularities in the language. Learning about basic directions in the Turkish language is a cinch.

The first phrase you need to know is: “(location) nerede?“ meaning “Where is [location]?”

It’s that easy. Just add any place you need to find before the word nerede and you’re good to go, literally!

Here are some examples:

• (Basic sentence) 

Kapalıçarşı nerede? 

“Where is Kapalıçarşı – the Grand Bazaar?”

• (Advanced/polite sentence) 

Pardon, Kapalıçarşı nerede, acaba? 

“Pardon me, where is Kapalıçarşı?”

As you can see, adding a pardon or “pardon me” to the beginning of a sentence, and ending with an acaba meaning “I wonder,” will make you sound polite.

2. Cardinal Directions in Turkish

Let’s start with how to say “map” in Turkish. Harita (literally meaning “map” when translated) can be used to refer to traditional printed maps as well as digital ones. The English word “navigation” has been adapted into Turkish as navigasyon. “Application/app” can be used in Turkish, as well as the Turkish word for it which is uygulama. Most people will understand the English terms used for such technology. A “navigation app” would be navigasyon app or navigasyon uygulamasi.

Although Turkish people don’t readily refer to cardinal directions, it’s still good to know them just in case. Turks usually refer to places according to their proximity to other places: forty minutes after you pass a certain city, or five minutes down the road. Words used for direction in the Turkish language are usually related to position rather than geographical direction. 

Here are the basic cardinal directions in Turkish:

• Kuzey  “North”
• Güney  “South”
• Batı      “West”
• Doğu    “East”

1- Where is Turkey on the Map?

Before we go any further, let’s talk a bit about the location of Turkey and its most popular cities, to get a sense of direction from the start. Turkey is located between Asia and Europe, and it’s referred to as Asia Minor. To its north is the Black Sea and to its south is the Medditerranean. The Aegean lies on its western coast, while the east and southeastern parts of Turkey share borders with Syria, Iran, Iraq, and Russia.

There are seven regions in Turkey which are named by their geographical location. Here, we’ve also listed some major cities found within these regions: 

1. The Marmara Region (İstanbul; Edirne)
2. Aegean Region (İzmir; Efes; Muğla)
3. Mediterranean (Antalya; Kaş; Kemer)
4. Black Sea Region (Sinop; Trabzon; Rize)
5. Central Anatolia Region (Ankara; Eskişehir; Kayseri)
6. Eastern Anatolia Region (Erzurum; Erzincan; Ağrı)
7. Southeastern Anatolia Region (Diyarbakır; Gaziantep; Urfa)

You may want to ask which region a city is in. There are plenty of tourist attractions in each one of these regions, although the Marmara Region and the coastal Aegean and Meditteranean regions are the most popular. If you’re curious, you can also learn more about the geographical regions of Turkey.

2- Talking about Directions on a Map

İzmir is in the western part of Turkey; Turkey is to the east of Greece; Kuşadası is on the southern side of İzmir.

 So, for example, to ask if Antalya is in the northern or southern part of Turkey, you would say:

Antalya nerede? Kuzeyde mi, güneyde mi? meaning “Where is Antalya? In the North or South?”

Or 

İzmir nerede? Türkiye’nin batısında mı? meaning  “Where is Izmir? Is it in the western part of Turkey?”

3- Combinations of Cardinal Directions in Turkish 

When someone’s giving directions in Turkish, phrases involving a combination of cardinal directions may come up. Here are some examples of things you may hear:

• Kuzeydoğu (northeast)  

Çanakkale Türkiye’nin kuzeydoğusundadır. 

“Çanakkale is in the northeastern part of Turkey.”

• Güneydoğu (southeast)

Adana Türkiye’nin güneydoğusundadır.   

“Adana is in the southeastern part of Turkey.”

• Güneybatı (southwest)

Manisa Türkiye’nin güneybatısındadır.    

“Manisa is in the southwestern part of Turkey.”

• Kuzeybatı  (northwest)

Şile Türkiye’nin kuzeybatısındadır.          

“Sile is in the northwestern part of Turkey.”

3. Major City Directions in Turkish

Let’s do a little exercise. Ankara, Antalya, and Istanbul are some of the major cities and centers of interest for tourists. See if you can figure out which of the three cities mentioned above is being described in these sentences. The answers are at the end of the article, but don’t scroll down yet!

1. Türkiye’nin güneyinde bir şehirdir. “This is a city in the south of Turkey.”

2. Türkiye’nin batısındadır.                 “It is in the western part.”

3. Türkiye’nin ortasındadır.                 “It is in the central part of Turkey.”

4. Getting Places – How to Ask and Give Directions in Turkish

Most likely, you won’t have your personal car with you on vacation. You’ll either be taken around in a tour bus or left to your own devices, such as walking and/or public transport. Here are some examples of how to ask the best way to get somewhere. After all, why learn Turkish directions if you don’t know how to apply them?

Notice that, especially in large metropolitan cities like Istanbul, there may be more than one way to get somewhere (for example, by metro, ferry, or bus).

1-  How to Get to Ephesus

A family on tour would like to visit Ephesus while they’re in the Aegean region. But they don’t have enough time to take the “Blue Cruise” tour. They just want to go directly to Ephesus by land. The lady takes matters into her own hands and asks the hotel manager for directions:

Lady: 

Affedersiniz…Biz Efes’e gitmek istiyoruz. 

“Excuse me…we want to go to Ephesus.”

Manager: 

Tabii, hemen Mavi tura yazdıralim sizi. 

“Of course, let’s sign you up for the Blue Cruise right away.”

Lady: 

Hayır, hayır. O kadar zamanımız yok. Karadan nasıl gideriz? 

“No, no. We don’t have that much time. How can we get there by land?”

Manager: 

Tabii, anlatayım…Önce bir taksi tutup gara gidin. Oradan Efes yazan otobüslerden birine binin. 

“Of course, I can direct you…firstly, take a taxi cab to the terminal. Get on a bus that has Ephesus written on it.”

Lady: 

Evet…

“Yes…”

Manager: 

Son durakta inin. Orada bir park olacak, onun arkasında hemen. 

“Get off at the last stop. There is a park there, it is right behind that.”

Lady: 

Teşekkür ederim. 

“Thank you.”

5. Most Common Turkish Directions – How to Understand Them

If a Turkish person starts giving you directions, make sure to follow his/her hand gestures along with the words. Like most Mediteranean people, the Turks rely a lot on hand movements to convey a message. It might help you keep the directions in your mind if you see the route played out, too.

In addition to the phrases above, keep in mind the landmarks and common places we covered earlier. Better still, have these written down as you’ll probably hear these phrases a lot. A little pocket dictionary will also come in handy.

6. Asking for Directions in Turkish on the Street – Urban Terminology

While in Turkey, whether you’re visiting or staying for a longer time, you most likely won’t need a car. Public transport is common in Turkey, and busses and ferries are usually crowded.

As a pedestrian, you’ll need to know some basic urban terminology, such as the Turkish word for traffic light (trafik lambası), pedestrian crossing (yaya geçidi), newsstand (büfe)…etc. Here are some samples with dialogue you’re likely to hear from day-to-day.

• Pardon, yaya geçidi nerede acaba?  

“Pardon me, where is the pedestrian crossing, I wonder?”

• Büfe nerede?  

“Where is the newsstand?”

• Trafik lambası nerede?

“Where are the traffic lights?”

7. Points of Reference for Giving Directions in Turkish

Because Turkish people will often give you directions in reference to another place or landmark, it will be helpful to know a few of these commonly used phrases. Here are some words used while giving directions, with some samples of these phrases used in sentences along wıth location words:

• arkasında “Behind” in Turkish
• önünde “In front of” in Turkish
• sağda “To the right” in Turkish
• solda “To the left” in Turkish
• köşede “At the corner” in Turkish

• Durak (bus stop)

Duraktan sonra sağa dön. 

“Turn right after the bus stop.”

• Bina (building)

Binanın arkasında. 

“Behind the building.”

• İstasyon (train station)

İstasyonun karşısında. 

“Across from the train station.”

• Banka (bank)

Bankanın önünde. 

“In front of the bank.”

• Park (park)

Parkın içinden geç, sola dön. 

“Go through the park, then turn left.”

• Meydan (city square)

Meydanın öbür tarafında. 

“On the other side of the city square.”

• Belediye binası (city municipal)

Belediye binasını geç, üçüncü bina.

“It’s the third building after you pass the city municipal building.”

• Postane (post office)

Postane hemen köşede. 

“The post office is right on the corner.”

8. Dialogue Playouts

1- By foot: 

Barbara: 

Pardon, Ayasofya’ya nasıl giderim?  

“How can I get to Hagia Sophia?”

Man on street: 

Düz git, sonra sola dön.  

“Go straight, then turn left.”

2- By bus: 

Jacob: 

Affedersiniz, Efes’e nasıl giderim? 

“Excuse me, how can I get to Ephesus?”

Local lady: 

510 numaralı otobüse bin. Meydanda in. Kaçırmazsın. 

“Get on the 510. Get off at the square. You can’t miss it.”

3- Multiple transportation: 

Larry: 

Bakar mısınız? Buradan İzmir’e nasıl giderim? 

“Could I have your attention / Excuse me? How do I get to Izmir from here?”

Man at ticket booth: 

670 numarali otobüse bin. Limanda in. Oradan İzmir yazan bir vapura bin. 

“Get on the 670. Get off at the pier. Get on a ferry that has İzmir written on it.”

9. How to Thank Someone for Giving Directions in Turkish Words

A general teşekkür ederim meaning “thank you”  is sufficient. But if you would like to add a “you have been very helpful” or “thanks for the information,” here are some phrases you can use: 

• Yardımlarınız için teşekkür ederim!

“Thanks for the help!”

• Çok yardımcı oldunuz!

“You have been very helpful!”

• Çok sağ olun./ Çok teşekkür ederim. 

“Thank you very much.”

Body language: You can press your hand (open) against your heart to symbolize a heartfelt thank you or express your gratitude. Eyvallah is another traditional way to say a heartfelt thank you. It means 

“I thank God first, then you.”

10. The Not-So-Helpful Direction-Giver

Turkish people (especially males) are addicted to giving directions. This may seem like a plus, but beware of the extra-enthusiastic or not-so-sure individuals. They’ll usually make up a route just to seem helpful, or they’ll give you too many details about how you can avoid the bridge traffic (Bosphorus bridge) and reach your destination in miraculous time. These are all well-intended suggestions (for sure); just use your best judgement when in doubt. Thank them and ask someone else for a second opinion!

11. Continue to Learn About Directions in Turkish

Turkey is a lovely place to visit. Make sure you know how to get from A to B before you venture out. 

Why not learn a few phrases to make your holiday a more enjoyable and well-planned one? Visit 

TurkishClass101 for more direction words and phrases to use on your visit. Keep up the good work!
Before you go, let us know in the comments how confident you feel about directions in Turkish now! Is there anything you’re still having a hard time with in your directions in Turkish language-learning? 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!

Compliments! Tell me who doesn’t like compliments. I believe that even those who say they don’t like compliments enjoy them deep inside.

Complimenting is a very human thing, and it can be done anywhere, anytime. However, you need to be very careful about it if you’re not a native speaker and you’re complimenting someone whose culture you’re not familiar with. You wouldn’t want to be embarrassed or hit with a purse, would you?

In this article, we’ll talk about how to compliment in Turkish, as well as when you should avoid complimenting. With the Turkish compliments in this article, you can bring a smile to anyone’s face!

Let’s start with the basics:

“Compliment”                                         – İltifat; kompliman; övgü

“Compliments” (plural)                          – İltifatlar; komplimanlar; övgüler

“Compliments” (as a separate word)      – Selamlar; saygılar; tebrikler

Now that you’ve learned the most important words related to compliments, it’s time to learn the top Turkish compliments you can use for different occasions to express your gratitude, appreciation, admiration, and likes.

Table of Contents

1. Compliments on Someone’s Look and Character
2. Praising Someone at Work
3. Kudos in Social Life
4. When and Where to Avoid Complimenting
5. What’s Expected After a Compliment
6. You Will Do Great!

1. Compliments on Someone’s Look and Character

In this section, we’ll talk about Turkish compliments you can use for someone’s physical appearance or his/her character.

1- Physical Characteristics

You’re fascinated with a Turkish woman’s beauty, and you would like to express your feelings. Here are some Turkish compliments for girls that you can use:

Turkish (Formal)	Turkish (Informal)	English
Ne kadar güzelsiniz!	Ne kadar güzelsin!	“You are so beautiful.” Literally: “How beautiful you are!”
Güzelliğiniz karşısında büyülendim.	Güzelliğin karşısında büyülendim.	“I’m fascinated by your beauty.”
Bu saçlar size çok yakışmış.	Bu saç sana çok yakışmış.	“Your hair looks good.”
Gamzelerinize bayılıyorum.	Gamzelerine bayılıyorum.	“I love your dimples.”
Gülüşünüz ne kadar içten.	Gülüşün ne kadar içten.	“Your smile is very sincere.” Literally: “How sincere your smile is.”

Ladies! You don’t have to worry, you’re also covered. Here comes the compliments for a handsome male:

Turkish (Formal)	Turkish (Informal)	English
Çok yakışıklısınız!	Çok yakışıklısın!	“You are very handsome!”
Sakal size çok yakışmış.	Sakal sana çok yakışmış.	“Your beard looks good on you.”
Harika görünüyorsunuz!	Harika görünüyorsun!	“You look wonderful!”
Çok güzel gözleriniz var.	Çok güzel gözlerin var.	“You have very beautiful eyes.”
Saçlarınız çok güzel!	Saçların çok güzel!	“Your hair is very beautiful.”
Parfümünüzü çok beğendim.	Parfümünü çok beğendim.	“I like your cologne.”

2- Appearance

There might be times when you like someone’s clothes, accessories, shoes, or general appearance, and you might feel the urge to say so. Here are some Turkish compliments you can use in such situations:

Turkish (Formal)	Turkish (Informal)	English
Çok hoş görünüyorsunuz.	Çok hoş görünüyorsun.	“You look very nice.”
Çok şıksınız.	Çok şıksın.	“You are elegant.”
Bu pantolon size çok yakışmış.	Bu pantolon sana çok yakışmış.	“These pants look good on you.”
Gözlüklerinize bayıldım.	Gözlüklerine bayıldım.	“I love your glasses.”
Makyajınızı çok beğendim.	Makyajını çok beğendim.	“I like your makeup.”
Çok karizmatiksiniz.	Çok karizmatiksin.	“You are very charismatic.”
Çok zarifsiniz.	Çok zarifsin.	“You are very graceful.”
Yaşınızı hiç göstermiyorsunuz.	Yaşını hiç göstermiyorsun.	“You don’t show your age at all.”

3- Character

There will be times when you’d like to express your admiration for someone’s character, be it a friend, a colleague, or even your child. Below are some compliments in Turkish that you can use to compliment his or her character:

Turkish (Formal)	Turkish (Informal)	English
Çok zekisiniz.	Çok zekisin.	“You are very clever.”
Dürüstlüğünüze hayranım.	Dürüstlüğüne hayranım.	“I admire your honesty.”
Çok iyi bir mizah anlayışınız var.	Çok iyi bir mizah anlayışın var.	“You have a very good sense of humor.”
Siz çok temiz kalplisiniz.	Sen çok temiz kalplisin.	“You are very good-hearted.” Literal translation: “You are very clean-hearted!”

2. Praising Someone at Work

Let’s imagine you’re working with Turkish people and you want to give one of your colleagues a compliment in Turkish. Here’s how you can compliment someone about his or her work:

Turkish (Formal)	Turkish (Informal)	English
Harika bir performans sergilediniz.	Harika bir performans sergiledin.	“You performed great.”
Tebrikler, iyi iş çıkardınız.	Tebrikler, iyi iş çıkardın.	“Congratulations, you did a good job.”
Harikalar yarattınız.	Harikalar yarattın.	“You’ve done wonders.”
Bunu hak ettiniz!	Bunu hak ettin!	“You deserved it.”
Hak edilmiş bir başarı.	Hak edilmiş bir başarı.	“A deserved success.”

When it comes to complimenting someone’s skills at work, you can use the following Turkish compliments:

Turkish (Formal)	Turkish (Informal)	English
Etkileyici bir özgeçmişiniz var.	Etkileyici bir özgeçmişin var.	“You have an impressive resume.”
Çok yeteneklisiniz.	Çok yeteneklisin.	“You’re very talented.”
Çok yaratıcısınız.	Çok yaratıcısın.	“You’re very creative.”
Ne kadar hızlısınız.	Ne kadar hızlısın.	“You are so fast.” Literally: “How fast you are.”
Değişime adaptasyon yeteneğiniz çok yüksek.	Değişime adaptasyon yeteneğin çok yüksek.	“Your ability to adapt to change is very high.”
Kavrama beceriniz çok yüksek.	Kavrama becerin çok yüksek.	“Your ability to comprehend is very high.”
Ekip çalışmasına çok yatkınsınız.	Ekip çalışmasına çok yatkınsın.	“You’re very prone to teamwork.”
Konulara farklı açıdan bakabilmeniz çok güzel.	Konulara farklı açıdan bakabilmen çok güzel.	“It’s good that you can look at the subjects from a different perspective.”

3. Kudos in Social Life

In social life, there may be cases where you’d like to give a compliment in Turkish. It could be at a gathering, a restaurant, or even a friend’s house. Here are the top Turkish compliments that can be used in social life:

Turkish (Formal)	Turkish (Informal)	English
Eviniz ne kadar güzelmiş.	Evin ne kadar güzelmiş.	“Your house is so beautiful.” Literally: “How beautiful your house is.”
Çok zevklisiniz.	Çok zevklisin.	“You have a good taste.”
Çok güzel dans ediyorsunuz.	Çok güzel dans ediyorsun.	“You dance very well.”
Elinize sağlık.	Eline sağlık.	Literally: “Health to your hand.”
Emeğinize sağlık.	Emeğine sağlık.	Literally: “Health to your effort.”
Çok güzel görünüyor.	Çok güzel görünüyor.	“It looks very nice.”
Çok güzel kokuyor.	Çok güzel kokuyor.	“It smells very nice.”
Çok lezzetli olmuş.	Çok lezzetli olmuş.	“It’s delicious.”
Tadı çok güzel!	Tadı çok güzel!	“It tastes very good!”

4. When and Where to Avoid Complimenting

Compliments make most people happy. However, people like to hear real, sincere compliments; it doesn’t make any sense to give fake compliments. In order to sound sincere, you should look the person in the eyes and say your compliment in a tone that reflects how you really feel.

Don’t forget that every culture is different. When you’re using Turkish compliments for girls, make sure to do it under appropriate conditions, at the right time, and in a suitable environment.

If you want to compliment a Turkish girl, you need to be very careful if there’s a boyfriend, a brother, or a husband around. Turkish men are usually overprotective when it comes to the women in their lives. Even if you approach her in a friendly manner, you can be misunderstood. It might be a good idea not to compliment her physical characteristics or appearance, in this case.

If you’re using Turkish compliments for girls late at night in an uncrowded place, even if you’re sincere and have good intentions, it can be perceived badly (as is probably the case in most cultures).

If you’re complimenting someone of the opposite sex at work among other colleagues, you should also be careful about how you do so. You wouldn’t want to have your compliment perceived the wrong way and get in trouble for it.

Again, where, when, and how you compliment matters!

5. What’s Expected After a Compliment

As I indicated earlier, I think that even those who claim not to like compliments still enjoy them deep inside. However, you can’t know how they’ll react to them.

Some people may pleasantly accept compliments. Here are some sentences Turkish people might use when they feel positive about your compliments:

Turkish (Formal)	Turkish (Informal)	English
Teşekkür ederim.	Teşekkür ederim.	“Thank you.”
Teşekkürler.	Teşekkürler.	“Thanks.”
Teveccühünüz.	Teveccühün.	“That’s very kind of you.”
O sizin iyi görüşünüz.	O senin iyi görüşün.	“That’s your good point of view.”

Some might feel uncomfortable and shy away from compliments. Others might suspect that you’re not sincere, and think you have bad intentions. Furthermore, some people might even think that you expect or want something in return.

Don’t forget that the tone and gestures you use when complimenting really matter!

6. You Will Do Great!

Did you enjoy reading about Turkish compliments? Now you know the top Turkish compliments and how to compliment in Turkish. Are you ready to compliment the girl or boy you like? How about your colleague for his collaboration? I’m sure you’ll do great!

However, this isn’t enough. You need to keep learning more! Make sure to utilize all of the free resources, including the dictionary, at TurkishClass101.com! You can also download the app for free and use it wherever you are. Don’t forget that there’s also the premium service MyTeacher, which allows you to practice with a private teacher.

We look forward to your feedback about your experience with the services offered at TurkishClass101. Good luck with your Turkish learning!

There are many ways to show our feelings, particularly through gestures, behavior, and language. Language is, of course, the most effective and explicit one.

Of all the feelings we experience, anger is probably the most intense. Because anger can increase our adrenaline level, our reactions can be extreme and our words harsh. We might even be led to use swear words.

In this article, we’ll talk about profanity in Turkish. Our focus will be on rude Turkish sayings, but definitely not on swear words in Turkish.

Profanity in Turkish is especially common among males in Turkey. You can hear a lot of Turkish swear words when men are watching a soccer game; it doesn’t matter if they’re watching it on TV at home, at a café, or live at the stadium.

You can also catch many swear words in Turkish during heavy traffic!

Turkish men usually try not to swear when there are women around, but other rude Turkish sayings might still come out of their mouths when they’re angry.

We should mention a warning here: A Turkish man can fly into a rage if anyone makes a comment about or tries to flirt with a woman in his life, whether it be a girlfriend, wife, sister, or mother. If you don’t want to see an angry Turkish man, you should be mindful of this.

However, if you ever encounter an angry Turkish man, you need to make sure that you can understand what he’s saying. What’s more, if you get angry yourself, you should be able to express your negative emotions in Turkish.

Let’s start with how to say “angry” in Turkish and other relevant words and phrases:

• Kızgın / Öfkeli – “Angry”
• Kızgınlık / Öfke – “Anger”
• Kızmak – “To be angry”
• Kızdırmak – “To make angry”
• Ben kızgınım. – “I’m angry.”
• Ben öfkeliyim. – “I’m angry.”

These two sentences are interchangeable.

We’ll start talking about angry expressions now, so that you can become familiar with them. However, we hope you never have to use or hear them.

Table of Contents

1. Angry Expressions
2. Angry Warnings
3. Angry Blames
4. Reveal Your Feelings
5. How to Manage Your Anger
6. Express Yourself Better with TurkishClass101

1. Angry Expressions

1. Are you sick of someone who’s B.S.-ing and you want her/him to stop talking? This is what you can tell that person:

• Kapa çeneni! – “Shut up!”

2. Can’t bear what someone is repetitively doing or saying? Then use the following phrase:

• Kes şunu! – “Stop it!” / “Cut it out!”

3. If you feel like someone is on your back, you can tell her or him to keep out of your hair by using the sentence below:

• Beni rahat bırak! – “Leave me alone!”

4. If you’re so angry with someone that you don’t want to see them, you can use one of these phrases with them:

• Kaybol. – “Get lost.”
• Defol! – “Go away!”
• Defol git! – “Get the hell out!”
• Gözüm görmesin seni! – “Get out of my sight!”

5. You can use the following phrase when someone tells you something that doesn’t make any sense, sounds crazy, or is difficult to understand or believe:

• Sen benimle dalga mı geçiyorsun? – “Are you kidding me?”

6. Here are some stronger phrases to express anger, frustration, and annoyance:

• Kahretsin! – “D*mn it!”
• Allah kahretsin! – “God d*mn it!”
• Allah seni kahretsin! – “God d*mn you!”

In some religions, the last two sentences might be very offensive, but this isn’t the case in Turkish (at least in terms of religion).

• Ne halin varsa gör! – “Do whatever the heck you want!”

2. Angry Warnings

When you’re angry, you might not be thinking clearly. Therefore, you might choose to give in to that anger and start warning the other person impolitely. This might even turn into threats. Below are some examples of these warnings in Turkish:

1. If you think the person you’re talking with is speaking nonsense, you can warn him or her with the following phrases:

• Saçmalama! – “Save that B.S.!”

2. If you want somebody to stop bothering you, here’s how you can let that person know:

• Yeter! – “Enough!”
• Benimle uğraşma! – “Don’t mess with me!”
• Bana bulaşma! (in slang) – “Don’t mess with me!”

3. If someone is pushing your limits of tolerance, then you can warn that person about it:

• Dayanılır gibi değil! – “It’s not tolerable!”
• Dayanamıyorum! – “I can’t bear (it)!”

4. There are a few more angry warnings you should know:

• Belanı mı arıyorsun? – “Are you asking for trouble?”
• Seni son kez uyarıyorum! – “I’m warning you for the last time!”
• Seni bir daha görmek istemiyorum! – “I don’t want to see you again!”
• Ne olmuş yani? – “So what?”
• Ağzından çıkanlara dikkat et! – “Watch your mouth!”

3. Angry Blames

When you’re angry, you might not be evaluating the whole situation with the right state of mind. In a situation like this, you might put all the blame on the other person. Here are some popular angry blames in Turkish:

1. If someone is getting into your personal business, you can both blame and warn that person using the following idioms:

• Sana ne! – “It’s none of your business!”
• Bu seni ilgilendirmez! – “It’s none of your business!”

These two sentences are interchangeable, but the first one is more impolite.

• İşime burnunu sokma! – “Don’t poke your nose into my business!”

2. You can ask the following questions when someone tells you something stupid, something that sounds crazy, or something that’s hard to understand or believe:

• Sen aklını mı kaçırdın? – “Are you out of your mind?”
• Delirdin mi sen? – “Are you crazy?”

3. Below are some other angry Turkish phrases and questions you might hear:

• Sen kim olduğunu sanıyorsun? – “Who do you think you are?”
• Neyin var senin? – “What’s wrong with you?”
• Beni dinlemiyorsun! – “You are not listening to me!”
• Bütün bunlar senin hatan! – “It’s all your fault!”
• Her şeyi berbat ettin! – “You messed it up!”
• Ne halt ediyorsun? – “What the heck are you doing?”

4. Reveal Your Feelings

“Is it really possible to tell someone else what one feels?” Leo Tolstoy asked in his novel Anna Karenina.

Of course, it is. As a matter of fact, revealing your feelings is as natural as having them. Words are an effective way of expressing how you feel.

We’ll go over some phrases you can use to say “I am angry” in Turkish and to describe your other negative emotions:

• Çok kızgınım! – “I‘m very angry!”
• Çok sinirliyim! – “I’m very upset!”
• Bundan bıktım, usandım! – “I’m fed up with it!”
• Bundan nefret ediyorum! – “I hate it!”
• Hiç bu kadar hayal kırıklığına uğramamıştım! – “I have never been so disappointed!”
• Bu çok sinir bozucu! – “This is very frustrating!”

5. How to Manage Your Anger

Anger may cause problems if it’s not controlled. Unwanted words may come out of your mouth; you might even get physical with someone if you’re angry enough. Therefore, it’s critical to control your anger so that you don’t say or do anything you’ll regret.

Below are some techniques you might want to use to control your anger:

1. When we get angry, our breathing speeds up. In order to slow it down, we need to take deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling out the mouth.

• Derin nefes alın. – “Take a deep breath.”

2. If you start counting to ten, your heart rate will slow down and your anger will diminish. Depending on how angry you are, you might even want to count up to 100.

• 10’a kadar sayın. – “Count up to 10.”

3. Music usually relaxes people, so it might be a good idea to put in your earbuds and listen to music to help manage your anger.

• Müzik dinleyin. – “Listen to music.”

4. It might be a good idea to jot down how you’re feeling instead of hurting someone else’s feelings with your words.

• Duygularınızı yazın. – “Write down your feelings.”

5. If you can put yourself in the other person’s shoes, you can understand their perspective and your anger may subside.

• Biraz empati kurmaya çalışın. – “Try to have some empathy.”

6. Walk away from the environment and give yourself time to think through what happened. This will help you calm down emotionally.

• Ortamdan uzaklaşın. – “Walk away from the environment.”

7. Everybody has their own way of calming themselves down.

• Kendi yönteminizi bulun. – “Find your own method.”

6. Express Yourself Better with TurkishClass101

Now that you have an idea about profanity in Turkish, know how to say “angry” in Turkish, and also learned some rude Turkish sayings, do you feel better about putting your anger into words? Would you like to express all of your other feelings in Turkish as well?

Please use the free resources at TurkishClass101.com, or even our Premium PLUS services, to take your Turkish to the next level. Keep in mind that we also have a dictionary on our site to facilitate your learning.

Make sure to share your learning experience throughout your journey on our website.

You’ll be surprised how quickly and easily you’ll be learning Turkish with TurkishClass101.

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!