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.

On Labor and Solidarity Day, Turkey’s workers celebrate gains made for laborers’ rights, demonstrate for even more rights, and take the day (or long weekend) off of work. In this article, you’ll learn all about Labor Day events in Turkey, some background information about the holiday, and a few useful vocabulary words.

Let’s get started.

1. What is Labor and Solidarity Day?

Labor Day in Turkey has had a rocky history since its start in 1923. Like in many countries around the world, Labor Day is a holiday dedicated to workers and laborers, and is often marked by protests and demonstrations. The first Labor Day celebration turned violent, causing authorities to place a yasak (“ban” ) on demonstration participation. In 1924, people participated anyway, so the holiday itself was banned until 1935 (when it returned with the name “Spring and Flowers Day”).

From this date on, Labor Day was celebrated peacefully until 1977, when a massive protest in Taksim Square turned violent. During the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Union‘s president’s speech, someone opened fire in the crowd and then started shooting from one of the rooftops around the square. As a result of the stampede, several people were killed and injured.

In 1981, the holiday was banned yet again until 2009, when it returned as “Labor and Solidarity Day.”

In 2013, another incident took place in Taksim, where demonstrations were banned in Taksim Square, with a pedestrianization project given as the reason. It was advertised under the name “Taksim Urban Transformation Project” and was introduced to increase revenue. The polis (“police” ) used tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators who went ahead with their celebrations of the day anyway.

→ Check out our vocabulary list for Jobs / Work to pick up some useful words.

2. When is Labor Day?

Each year, Turks celebrate Labor Day on May 1. This is the same date most of the world celebrates, except for the United States, which celebrates on the first Monday in September.

→ Learn about the Top 5 Most Important Dates on the Turkish Calendar with us!

3. Labor Day in Turkish Culture: Celebrations & Traditions

On Labor Day, Turkey’s streets are often filled with marches and protests regarding insan hakları (“human rights” ) and işçi hakları (“labor rights” ). In 2019, events were mainly peaceful, and people observed Labor Day with songs, chants, and a moment of silence for five people who were killed in a traffic wreck on their way to a Labor Day event.

In Turkey, Labor Day is also a time for rest and relaxation for those who opt to stay at home or go out to quieter places with loved ones.

Depending on when May 1 is in a given year, there may be a full Labor Day weekend! For those not demonstrating, this is just a relaxing and fun holiday weekend off from work.

→ See our vocabulary list on the Top 10 Weekend Activities to discover what Turks may do on a Labor Day weekend!

4. 2003 Labor Act

In 2003, a Labor Act was passed in Turkey, which enacted certain laws regarding labor. For example:

• A 45-hour workweek (with fifty percent extra pay for overtime)
• Fourteen days of paid leave for full-time laborers employed for at least one year
• Minimum age of fifteen years for full-time employment

5. Must-Know Vocabulary for Labor and Solidarity Day

Ready to review some of the vocabulary words from this lesson? Here’s a list of the most important words and phrases for Labor Day in Turkey!

• Emek ve Dayanışma Günü — “Labor and Solidarity Day” [n.]
• Miting — “Demonstration” [n.]
• Yasak — “Ban” [n.]
• Protesto yürüyüşü — “Protest march”
• Emekçi — “Proletarian” [adj.]
• Polis — “Police” [n.]
• Biber gazı — “Pepper spray”
• Hürriyet — “Liberty” [n.]
• Işçi — “Laborer” [n.]
• Işçi hakları — “Labor rights”
• Adalet — “Justice” [n.]
• Insan hakları — “Human rights”
• Tutuklamak — “Arrest” [v.]

To hear the pronunciation of each word and phrase, and to read them alongside relevant images, be sure to check out our Turkish Labor and Solidarity Day vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about Labor and Solidarity Day, Turkey’s history regarding this holiday, and some provisions of the 2003 Labor Act.

Do you celebrate Labor Day in your country? How do traditions there differ from those in Turkey? We look forward to hearing from you in the comments!

If you want to learn even more about Turkish culture or the language, you may find the following pages useful:

• Celebrating International Women’s Day in Turkey
• Holidays in Turkey: Atatürk Remembrance Day
• Best Turkish Movies for Learning Turkish
• The Turkish Calendar: Talking About Dates in Turkish
• Learn How to Talk About Your Family in Turkish

This is just the tip of the iceberg. For more fantastic Turkish-learning content, create your free lifetime account on TurkishClass101.com today. You can also upgrade to our Premium or Premium PLUS plans for exclusive lessons and content to help you learn Turkish faster.

Happy Labor Day, and good luck with your studies! 🙂

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

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

Table of Contents

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

1. Life Events

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

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

1- Birthday – doğumgünü

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

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

Doğum günün kutlu olsun

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

2- Buy – Almak

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

3- Retire – emekli olmak

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

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

4- Graduation – mezuniyet

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

5- Promotion – terfi

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

6- Anniversary – yıl dönümü

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

7- Funeral – cenaze

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

8- Travel – gezmek

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

9- Graduate – mezun olmak

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

10- Wedding – evlilik

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

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

11- Move – taşınmak

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

12- Be born – doğmak

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

13- Get a job – iş bulmak

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

14- Die – ölmek

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

15- Home – Ev

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

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

16- Job – iş

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

17- Birth – doğum

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

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

18- Engaged – nişanlanmak

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

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

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

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

19- Marry – evlenmek

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

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

2. Marriage Proposal Lines

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

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

3. Talking About Age

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

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

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

4. Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

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

1. Talking about the weather in Turkey

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

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

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

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

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

3- Fluffy cloud – kabarık bulut

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

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

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

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

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

6- Flood – sel

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

7- The typhoon has hit – Tayfun vurdu.

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

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

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

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

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

10- A rainy day – yağmurlu bir gün

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

11- Scenic rainbow – manzaralı gökkuşağı

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

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

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

13- 25 degrees Celsius – Yirmi beş santigrat derece

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

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

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

15- A clear sky – Açık gökyüzü

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

16- Light drizzle – hafif çisi

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

17- Temperature – sıcaklık

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

18- Humid – nemli

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

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

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

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

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

21- It’s windy outside – Dışarısı rüzgarlı

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

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

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

23- Today is very muggy – Bugün hava çok bunaltıcı

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

24- Fog – sis

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

25- Hurricane – kasırga

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

26- Killer tornado – Büyük hortum

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

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

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

28- Below freezing temperatures – dondurucu sıcaklıkların atında

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

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

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

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

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

31- Waiting to clear up – açılması için beklemek

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

32- Avoid the extreme heat – aşırı sıcaktan kaçınmak

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

33- Morning frost – sabah kırağısı

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

34- Rain shower – sağanak yağmur

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

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

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

36- Severe thunderstorm – Şiddetli fırtına

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

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

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

38- Large hailstones – Büyük dolu taneleri

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

39- Rolling thunder – şiddetli gök gürültüsü

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

40- Sleet – Dolu

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

2. Words for the first day of spring

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

3. Do You Know the Essential Summer Vocabulary?

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

4. Must-Know Autumn vocabulary

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

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

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

5. Winter

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

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

6. TurkishClass101 can prepare you for any season.

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

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

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

Have you ever thought if dates hadn’t existed;

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

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

1. Vocabulary Related to Dates

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

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

2. Days of the Week in Turkish

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

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

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

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

Here are a few rules on how to write days:

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Months in Turkish

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

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

Here are some rules on how to write months:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. How to Tell Dates in Turkish

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

1. Date Format in Turkish

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

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

2. How to write the date in Turkish

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

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

3. How to say the years in Turkish

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

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

You need to pay attention to 2 things here:

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

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

5. Must-Know Phrases to Talk about Dates

1. Ordinal numbers

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

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

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

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

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

2. Sample phrases

Here are some questions and answers for your reference:

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. How to Make an Appointment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

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

1. Family Life in Turkey

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

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

A- Marriage

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

• In rural areas

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

Weddings are more traditional in the backlands.

• In urban areas

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

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

B- Family structure

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

• In rural areas

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

• In urban areas

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

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

2.   General Vocabulary for Family in Turkish

Here are some general Turkish family words for your reference:

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

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

A- Vocabulary for nuclear family

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

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

B- Vocabulary for extended family

Below is a list of extended family members in Turkish:

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

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

A- Couples

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

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

B- In-laws

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

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

C- Recomposed family

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

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

D- Others

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

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

5.   Questions and Answers about Family

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

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

6.   Idioms and Proverbs about family and family members

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

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

A- Idioms

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

B- Proverbs

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

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

7.   All About the Turkish Language and the Culture

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

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

Don’t forget that there is also MyTeacher, which is the premium service of TurkishClass101 that you can use to practice 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!

I always find traveling magical regardless of its purpose. Especially if I am going overseas. Will you also be going out of your country? Will you be traveling to Turkey? How exciting! You will end up in a new place in a few hours or the next day. You will see a place, which you haven’t seen before; which has a different lifestyle and traditions, which is full of people speaking another language. Ooops, when it comes to the language issue, you might feel uneasy.  No worries. We will go over basic Turkish travel phrases in this article, so you can just concentrate on the experiences you will have and new things you will add to your own world.  Who knows; maybe you will have new connections. I wish you a nice trip where you will have new, good memories you can look back at years later with a big smile.

Table of Contents

1. Basic Turkish Travel Phrases
2. Transportation
3. Shopping
4. Hotels
5. Restaurants
6. Asking for and giving directions
7. In case of an emergency
8. Phrases to overcome language barriers
9. Learn More with TurkishClass101!

1. Basic Turkish Travel Phrases

1 – Greetings

Whether you are stepping into a meeting room, a hotel or a shop, or a school, a warm and sincere greeting will open the doors for you! It will help you make a good first impression and communicate effectively.

Here are some greeting words in Turkish you can use to build connection with Turkish people:

Turkish	English
Merhaba	“Hello”
Selam	“Hi”
İyi günler	“Good day”
Günaydın	“Good morning”
Tünaydın	“Good afternoon”
İyi akşamlar	“Good evening”
İyi geceler	“Good night”
Baybay	“Bye bye”
Hoşçakalın	“Good-bye”

Make sure to check this link to learn more greeting words in Turkish. You can also refer to our article if you’d like to know how you can introduce yourself in Turkish.

2 – Courtesy phrases

Kind and good words always impress people. Someone asking for help or asking a question in a kind way usually gets an answer also in a kind way. Therefore, it’s a good idea to learn these useful Turkish courtesy phrases while you are traveling.

Turkish	English
Teşekkür ederim.	“Thank you.”
Teşekkürler.	“Thanks.”
Bir şey değil. / Rica ederim.	“You’re welcome.”
Lütfen.	“Please.”
Problem/sorun değil.	“No problem.”
Afedersiniz.	“Excuse me.”
Üzgünüm.	“I’m sorry.”

3 – Likes/Dislikes

If you are in Turkey traveling, you might also need to express your likes and dislikes.

Severim/sevmem // Beğenirim/beğenmem – “I like/I don’t like”

 Let’s see how we can use these Turkish words in sentences:

	Turkish	English
1	Hayvanları çok severim.	“I like animals a lot.”
2	Acı sosları hiç sevmem.	“I don’t like hot sauces at all.”
3	Türkçe öğrenmeyi seviyorum.	“I like learning Turkish.”
4	Araba kullanmayı sevmiyorum.	“I don’t like driving.”
5	O kravatı beğenmedim.	“I didn’t like that tie.”

2. Transportation

If you are traveling in Turkey, you will need different means of transport to get around. You might also need other information such as timetables, ticket, station, drop off point information etc.

Now, let’s take a look at some Turkish travel phrases that cover transportation:

1 – How to get to your destination

In order to get to your destination, you should know the vehicle names in Turkish.

Here they are:

Turkish	English
Araba	“Car”
Otobüs	“Bus”
Uçak	“Plane”
Taksi/taxi	“Taxi”
Tren	“Train”
Metro	“Subway”
Tramvay	“Tram”

2 – What is your destination?

Below are some phrases you can use to talk or inquire about your destination:

Turkish	English
Havaalanına gitmek istiyorum.	“I’d like to go to the airport.”
Otobüs durağı nerede?	“Where is the bus stop?”
Bana bir taksi çağırabilir misiniz?	“Could you call a taxi for me?”
En yakın metro/tren istasyonu nerede?	“Where is the closest subway/train station?”
Buradan Taksim’e tramvay ile gidebilir miyim?	“Can I go to Taksim by tram from here?”

3 – How to buy a ticket?

You should be able to ask the right questions to get a ticket. Let’s take a look at the following common Turkish phrases:

Turkish	English
Gidiş bileti	“One way ticket”
Gidiş dönüş bileti	“Round trip ticket”
Nereden bilet alabilirim?	“Where can I buy a ticket?”
İzmir uçağı saati kaçta?	“What time is the flight to Izmir?”
İstanbul’a bilet ne kadar?	“How much is the ticket to Istanbul?”

4 – Other information

A few different transport related situations are covered above. Now, let’s take a look at a few more phrases you might require as you are moving around:

Turkish	English
İyi yolculuklar!	“Have a good trip!”
Bu otobüs Optimum alışveriş merkezinden geçer mi?	“Does this bus pass by the Optimum mall?”
İzmir İstanbul arası otobüsle kaç saat sürer?	“How long does it take from Izmir to Istanbul by bus?”
Fenerbahçe’ye gitmek için hangi otobüse binmeliyim?	“Which bus should I take to go to Fenerbahçe?”

3. Shopping

If you are traveling, knowing some shopping vocabulary will be definitely useful. If you are going to a supermarket for a bottle of water, or to a mall to buy a raincoat, or to a shop for a souvenir, or to a drugstore for a painkiller, the following information will be handy for sure:

Turkish	English
Bu kaç beden?	“What size is this?”
Bu ne kadar?	“How much is this?”
Bunu almak istiyorum.	“I’d like to buy this.”
Bana biraz indirim yapar mısınız?	“Can you give me a discount?”
Kredi kartı ile ödeyebilir miyim?	“Can I pay by credit card?”

It’s really a good idea to know numbers in Turkish as well, if you are shopping. Make sure to read our article about numbers.

4. Hotels

Accommodation is another important factor when you are traveling. In Turkey, you can find hotels with different star ratings (from one to seven stars), pensions, vacation rentals etc. based on your budget. The following Turkish phrases for travelers relevant to accommodation will give you a relief when trying to find a place to stay.

Turkish	English
Boş odanız var mı?	“Do you have an available room?”
Geceliği ne kadar?	“How much is it per night?”
Kahvaltı dahil mi?	“Is breakfast included?”
Kahvaltı saat kaçta?	“At what time is breakfast?”
Odayı kaçta boşaltmam gerekiyor?	“What time do I have to leave the room?”

5. Restaurants

Oh, no, if you are in Turkey, you can’t just stay in a hotel room and order room service. There are so many different tastes outside the hotel. You should get out of the hotel and discover Turkish food, absolutely new tastes!

If you have not heard about Turkish cuisine, yet, make sure to read our article before you decide on a menu.

Get ready for your meal with the help of the following phrases:

Turkish	English
Menüyü alabilir miyim?	“May I have the menu?”
Ne önerirsiniz?	“What would you recommend?”
Ben vejeteryanım.	“I’m a vegetarian.”
Süte alerjim var.	“I’m allergic to milk.”
Hesap lütfen!	“Check, please!”

6. Asking for and giving directions

Asking directions is an inevitable part of a trip. You are in a new place and don’t know your way around. Of course, there will be times you will need directions.

Here are how you can ask where you want to go and some answers that will let you know the directions to your destination:

Turkish	English
Taksim’e gitmek istiyorum.	“I’d like to go to Taksim.”
Taksim’e nasıl gidebilirim?	“How can I go to Taksim?”
Afedersiniz, kütüphane nerede?	“Excuse me, where is the library?”
300 metre ileride sağda.	“It’s 300 meters ahead on the right.”
Düz gidin sağdan 2. sokağa dönün.	“Go straight, turn right onto 2nd street.”
Köşeden sola dönün, 4. bina.	“Turn left at the corner, it’s the 4th building.”

7. In case of an emergency

This is an important topic you should make a note of. None of us know what’s going to happen in the next second. We can find ourselves in a dangerous situation all of a sudden and need help. I hope you will never need to use the following, but God forbids, if any emergency comes up, you can refer to the indicated phrases:

Turkish	English
Bana yardım edin lütfen!	“Help me please!”
Polisi arayın lütfen.	“Please call the police.”
Ambulans çağırın.	“Call an ambulance.”
Ben kayboldum. Bana yardım edebilir misiniz?	“I’m lost. Can you help me?”
Hastane nerede?	“Where is the hospital?”
Pasaportumu/cüzdanımı kaybettim. Yardıma ihtiyacım var.	“I lost my passport/wallet. I need help.”

He needs help!

8. Phrases to overcome language barriers

If you are traveling to/within a foreign country, even if you have a dictionary or if you have learnt some phrases in that language, it’s very possible that there will be times when you will have difficulty expressing yourself or understanding the native speaker. Here are some Turkish phrases for tourists that can help you overcome the language barriers:

Turkish	English
Anlamadım.	“I didn’t understand.”
İngilizce konuşuyor musunuz?	“Do you speak English?”
Yavaş konuşabilir misiniz lütfen?	“Can you speak slowly please?”
Buraya yazabilir misiniz?	“Can you write it here?”
Türkçe de “___” nasıl diyorsunuz?	“How do you say ‘___’ in Turkish?”

9. Learn More with TurkishClass101!

In this article, you learned quite a number of must-know Turkish travel words and phrases. However, there are a lot more Turkish phrases for travel!

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

Don’t forget that there is also MyTeacher, which is the premium service of TurkishClass101 that you can use to practice 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!

Every year, the Turkish people commemorate one of the greatest leaders the country has known: Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. In this article, you’ll learn about how Turkey honors Ataturk’s memory, and explore some of Ataturk’s contributions to Turkey—and the world. In short, you’ll gain a clear picture of what the Turkish people remember Ataturk for, and why it’s significant.

As any successful language-learner can tell you, understanding a country’s culture is a step you can’t miss!

At TurkishClass101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative! Let’s get started, and delve into this Turkish national holiday.

1. What is Atatürk Remembrance Day?

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk passed away of cirrhosis on November 10, 1938, at 09:05 in Dolmabahçe Palace. His casket, draped in a flag, was placed on a catafalque for a moment, while residents of Istanbul mourned deeply. Following the funeral prayer and cortege, during his mausoleum’s construction, Atatürk rested in a marble tomb in the Ethnography Museum of Ankara for fifteen years. After the completion of Anıtkabir, his casket was transferred to his final resting place.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was not only an extraordinary leader and a revolutionary officer, who advocated peace, democracy, secularism, basic rights, and freedom, but he was also an academic research enthusiast. Even though today he might be considered to be ultra-nationalistic by some, he has always been admired and respected internationally as a leader, for his long-sightedness, ideas, and military achievements. One of his most famous sayings summarizes his ideas: “Peace at home, peace in the world.”

Mustafa Kemal was granted his surname, which is the combination of the words “father” and “Turk,” by the parliament right after the surname law in 1934.

2. When is Ataturk Commemoration Day?

Turks celebrate Ataturk Remembrance Day each year on November 10, the date of this beloved figure’s death.

3. Ataturk Memorial Day Traditions & Celebrations

Every year on November 10 at exactly 09:05, sirens sound throughout the country. All traffic stops, drivers and travelers get out of their vehicles, and people in their offices take a break and stand up. In schools, students will already be expecting this time and join the rest of the country.

Life stops at this time, and while the sirens wail, everybody in the country stands up as a gesture of respect. Following the sirens, in schools and government agencies, people sing the National Anthem.

4. Six Important Ataturk Principles

Can you name the six principles of Atatürk’s that have affected recent Turkish history?

These principles are:

1. Republicanism
2. Populism
3. Secularism
4. Reformism
5. Nationalism
6. Statism

5. Must-Know Vocabulary for Ataturk Remembrance Day

Here’s some essential vocabulary for Ataturk Remembrance Day!

• Mustafa Kemal Atatürk — “Mustafa Kemal Ataturk”
• Türk Bayrağı — “Turkish flag”
• Anıtkabir’e çelenk koymak — “Place a wreath on the Mausoleum of Ataturk”
• Yas tutma — “Mourning”
• Saygı duruşu — “Moment of silence”
• Askeri geçit — “Military parade”
• Bayrak asmak — “Fly a flag”
• Bayrak sallama — “Flag-waving”
• Anma töreni — “Commemorative ceremony”
• Atatürk büstü — “Bust of Ataturk”
• Atatürk rozeti — “Ataturk badge”
• İstiklal Marşı — “Turkish National Anthem”
• Anıtkabir — “The Mausoleum of Ataturk”

To hear the pronunciation of each word, and to see them accompanied by relevant images, visit our Ataturk Remembrance Day vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about this Turkish national holiday with us!

Did you learn anything new? Does your country have a similar holiday celebrating a beloved historical figure? Let us know in the comments! We always look forward to hearing from you!

Being able to discover a country’s culture may be the most rewarding and exciting aspect of trying to master its language. If more cultural information is what you’re after, be sure to check out the following pages on TurkishClass101.com:

• After Ramadan: The Turkish Feast of Sacrifice
• Tourist Attractions in Turkey
• Turkish Pop & Traditional Culture
• 4 Reasons Why Turkish Slang Words Will Make You Fluent
• Top 20 Words You’ll Need for the Internet

For even more Turkish learning opportunities, be sure to create a free basic account today! By upgrading to Premium Plus, you can further accelerate your learning with your own personal Turkish tutor. You really can master the language, and we’ll be here with constant support and effective learning materials every step of the way!

Happy Turkish learning!

Can you imagine carrying out a conversation in a foreign language without knowing the numbers in that language? I seriously can’t! We deal with numbers in every aspect of our lives. They are not only used in counting, but also when telling the date and the time, dimensions, weight, temperature, distances, prices, your age, phone number, address, and even blood pressure. In short, since they have a wide range of usage from math to history, geography to science, medicine to seismology, it’s impossible to have proper conversations without knowing numbers!

Are you ready to learnTurkish numbers and their usage?

Table of Contents

1. Basic vocabulary related to numbers
2. How to count from 0 to 9?
3. How to count from 10 to 100
4. Numbers up to Thousand and Beyond
5. How to say your age
6. How to give your phone number
7. How to use numbers when saying prices
8. How to use numbers when shopping
9. Other usages of numbers
10. Discover More About the Turkish Language on TurkishClass101.com

1. Basic vocabulary related to numbers

Let’s start with some vocabulary related to numbers and then we can count and see how Turkish numbers are used in different areas.

Turkish	English
Sayı/Sayılar	Number/Numbers
Tam sayılar	Whole numbers
Kesirli sayılar	Rational numbers
Sıra sayısı	Ordinal number
Ondalık sayı	Decimal number
Basamak	Digit
Pi sayısı	Pi
Tam	Whole
Yarım/Buçuk	Half
Çeyrek	Quarter
Saymak	To count
Hesaplamak	To calculate
Kaça/Kaç para/Ne kadar?	How much?
Kaç/Kaç tane?	How many?

2. How to count from 0 to 9?

Number	Turkish
0	Sıfır
1	Bir
2	İki
3	Üç
4	Dört
5	Beş
6	Altı
7	Yedi
8	Sekiz
9	Dokuz

In Turkish, when a noun is preceded by a number greater than one, the noun does not take the plural suffix, -lar or -ler. Instead, it retains its singular form because the number indicates that it’s plural. 

Example:

• Bıçak – “Knife”
• Bir bıçak – “One knife”
• Yedi bıçak – “Seven knives”

3. How to count from 10 to 100

A- Teens

Number	Turkish
11	On bir
12	On iki
13	On üç
14	On dört
15	On beş
16	On altı
17	On yedi
18	On sekiz
19	On dokuz

B- Tens

Number	Turkish
10	On
20	Yirmi
30	Otuz
40	Kırk
50	Elli
60	Altmış
70	Yetmiş
80	Seksen
90	Doksan

Let’s take a look at some examples:

·         12: On iki

·         21: Yirmi bir

·         34: Otuz dört

·         43: Kırk üç

·         56: Elli altı

·         65: Altmış beş

·         78: Yetmiş sekiz

·         87: Seksen yedi

·         99: Doksan dokuz

4. Numbers up to Thousand and Beyond

Now that you learned the Turkish numbers 1-100, let’s continue with larger numbers.

A- Hundreds

In Turkish, if the 3-digit number starts with a “one”, you never say “one hundred”; you just say “yüz”, meaning “hundred.” To form the numbers from 200 to 900, all you need to do is to place a number from 2-9 in front of the word “yüz”, which is “hundred” in English.

Number	Turkish
100	Yüz
200	İki yüz
300	Üç yüz
400	Dört yüz
500	Beş yüz
600	Altı yüz
700	Yedi yüz
800	Sekiz yüz
900	Dokuz yüz

Here are some examples for you:

·         127: Yüz yirmi yedi

·         256: İki yüz elli altı

·         334: Üç yüz otuz dört

·         468: Dört yüz altmış sekiz

·         541: Beş yüz kırk bir

·         679: Altı yüz yetmiş dokuz

·         715: Yedi yüz on beş

·         893: Sekiz yüz doksan üç

·         922: Dokuz yüz yirmi iki

B- Thousands

The thousands work the same way. In Turkish, if the 4-digit number starts with a “one”, you never say “one thousand”; you just say “bin”, meaning “thousand.” To form the numbers from two thousand to nine thousand, all you need to do is to place a number from 2-9 in front of the word “bin”, which is “thousand” in English.

Please also note that whole numbers are separated with a “dot” and decimal numbers with a “comma” in Turkish.

Examples:

·         1.000 – Bin (“1,000 – One thousand”)

·         1,50 – Bir buçuk (“1.5 – One point five”)

Numbers in Turkish	Turkish
1.000	Bin
2.000	İki bin
3.000	Üç bin
4.000	Dört bin
5.000	Beş bin
6.000	Altı bin
7.000	Yedi bin
8.000	Sekiz bin
9.000	Dokuz bin

Below are some examples:

·         1561: Bin beş yüz altmış bir

·         2352: İki bin üç yüz elli iki

·         3843: Üç bin sekiz yüz kırk üç

·         4124: Dört bin yüz yirmi dört

·         5675: Beş bin altı yüz yetmiş beş

·         6496: Altı bin dört yüz doksan altı

·         7787: Yedi bin yedi yüz seksen yedi

·         8938: Sekiz bin dokuz yüz otuz sekiz

·         9019: Dokuz bin on dokuz

C- Beyond One Thousand

Here are some numbers with many zeros:  

Numbers in Turkish	Turkish
10.000	On bin
100.000	Yüz bin
1.000.000	Bir milyon
1.000.000.000	Bir milyar
1.000.000.000.000	Bir trilyon
1.000.000.000.000.000	Bir katrilyon

5. How to say your age

Saying your age is one of the basic information you provide when you introduce yourself.

As in some other countries, it is considered as private and sensitive information by some women in Turkey. Therefore, I recommend you to be careful when asking women about their ages in Turkey.

Q: Kaç yaşındasınız? (“How old are you?”) (Formal)

A: Kırk bir yaşındayım. (“I’m forty-one years old.”)  (Literally: I’m in the age of forty-one.)

Q: Kaç yaşındasın? (“How old are you?”) (Informal)

A: Kaç gösteriyorum? (“How old do I look?”)

Q: Otuz altı. (“Thirty-six.”)

A: Teşekkürler, aslında elli yaşındayım. (“Thanks, actually I am fifty years old.”)

6. How to give your phone number

When you dial a phone number within Turkey, you first dial a “zero” and then either the 3-digit code of the city if you are calling a landline or the 3-digit code of the mobile phone provider. Then you dial the 7-digit number. If you are trying to call a Turkish number out of Turkey, then you should first dial the country code,”90” for Turkey and then the whole number (10 digits) without dialing the “0.”

Ex:

0-532-777-77 77 (Within Turkey)

90-532-777-77 77 (Outside of Turkey)

Formal ways of asking a phone number:

·         Telefon numaranızı alabilir miyim? (“May I have your phone number?”)

·         Telefon numaranızı sorabilir miyim? (“May I ask your phone number?”)

·         Telefon numaranızı verebilir misiniz? (“Can you give your phone number?”)

·         Telefon numaranızı söyleyebilir misiniz? (“Can you tell your phone number?”)

 Let’s say our mobile number is: 0-532- 395- 56 56

Some people will say the zero, some won’t. Here are the two ways you can read it:

·         Sıfır, beş yüz otuz iki, üç yüz doksan beş elli altı elli altı. (“Zero, five hundred thirty two, three hundred ninety five, fifty six, fifty six.”)

·         Beş yüz otuz iki, üç yüz doksan beş elli altı elli altı. (“Five hundred thirty two, three hundred ninety five, fifty six, fifty six.”)

 Informal ways of asking a phone number:

·         Cep numaran kaç? (“What is your mobile number?”)

·         Telefon/cep numaranı alabilir miyim? (“May I have your phone/mobile number?”)

·         Telefon/cep numaranı sorabilir miyim? (“May I ask your phone/mobile number?”)

·         Telefon/cep numaranı verebilir misin? (“Can you give your phone/mobile number?”)

·         Telefon/cep numaranı söyler misin? (“Can you tell your phone/mobile number?”)

 Let’s say our mobile number is: 0-542-666-66 66  

Here are the two ways you can read it:

·         Sıfır, beş yüz kırk iki, altı yüz altmış altı, altmış altı, altmış altı. (“Zero, five hundred forty-two, six hundred sixty six, sixty six, sixty six.”)

·         Beş yüz kırk iki, altı yüz altmış altı, altmış altı, altmış altı. (“Five hundred forty-two, six hundred sixty six, sixty six, sixty six.”)

 You can click here to check Turkish phone words and phrases.

7. How to use numbers when saying prices

If you are living in Turkey or visiting Turkey, in any case, you will be buying something; be it a pack of gum or a gift for your beloved one. Let’s see how you can use Turkish numbers when talking about prices.

Q: Bu elbise ne kadar? (“How much is this dress?”)

A: İki yüz kırk lira. (“Two hundred forty liras.”)

Q: İki yüz lira olur mu? (“Would it be two hundred liras?”)

A: Maalesef olmaz. (“Unfortunately, no.”)

 As you may guess from the example, you might try negotiating in some stores in Turkey.

 Q: Peynirin kilosu ne kadar? (“How much is a kilo of cheese?”)

A:Seksen beş lira elli kuruş. (“Eighty-five lira fifty cents.”)

8. How to use numbers when shopping

Below are some examples that will show you how you can use Turkish numbers as quantities when shopping:

·         Bir kutu süt istiyorum. (“I’d like a box of milk.”)

·         İki yüz elli gram peynir almak istiyorum. (“I’d like to buy 250 grams of cheese.”)

·         Yarım kg et alacağım. (“I will buy half a kilo of meat.”)

·         İki şişe su rica edeyim. (“Two bottles of water, please.”)

·         Beş paket sigara istiyorum. (“I’d like five packs of cigarrettes.”)

9. Other usages of numbers

Now, let’s see how else we can use numbers:

A- Percentage

In Turkish, the way percentages are written and read are different than English. Percentage sign is written and read before the number. Here are some examples:

·         %50 – Yüzde elli (“50% -“Fifty percent”)

·         %82 – Yüzde seksen iki (“82% – “Eighty two”)

B- Weather

Turkey uses Celsius scale. Only the degree is pronounced. Celsius is not mentioned when talking about the degrees.

·         Bugün hava kaç derece? (“What is the temperature today?”)

·         30^o – Otuz derece (“Thirty degrees”)

C- Dimensions

Turkey uses the metric system and below is an example showing how to say dimensions in Turkish:

·         En otuz cm, boy elli iki cm, yükseklik otuz dört cm. (“Width thirty cm, length fifty-two cm, height thirty four cm.”)

D- Weight

Here are some examples for your reference:”

·         70,5 kg – Yetmiş buçuk kg (“70.5 kg”)

·         1200 gr – Bin iki yüz gr (“1200 gr”)

·         136,5 ton – Yüz otuz altı buçuk ton (“136.5 tons”)

 I’d like to point out once again that commas are used to show the decimal places in Turkish.

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

You’ve now learnt a lot about Turkish numbers, the Turkish number system, and the Turkish numbers’ pronunciation. You have also learnt how to count Turkish numbers 1-1000 and how to use them in different cases.

Best way to learn Turkish numbers in-depth 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!

You’re learning to speak Turkish, and it’s going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in Turkish.

At Learn Turkish, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your Turkish in the process.

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1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in Turkish

Eating out is fun, and often an experience you’d like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in Turkish. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills…and perhaps your taste in restaurants!

Barış eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of the group, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Barış’s post.

Arkadaşlarla rakı-balık keyfi.
“Raki and fish feast with friends.”

1- arkadaşlarla

First is an expression meaning “with friends.”
The first word means “friends” and the suffix -la at the end means “with.”

2- rakı-balık keyfi

Then comes the phrase – “raki and fish feast.”
“Rakı-balık” is a very common expression. Rakı is a popular alcoholic drink in Turkey and other Balkan countries. It is a Turkish national drink and is usually consumed with fish and small side dishes called meze. “Keyif” means pleasure, and it is one of the most common expressions on Turkish social media. For example, “kahve keyfi” (coffee pleasure), “alışveriş keyfi” (shopping pleasure). When “keyif” is used in a noun compound, as in this case, it takes the suffix -i, and as a rule the “i” inside “keyif” drops. “Rakı-balık” + “keyif” becomes “rakı-balık keyfi”.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Afiyet olsun canım.

His neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Bon appetit, dear.”
This is a well-known loan-expression from French that means “Eat well”. Use it with a term of endearment to show friendly affection.

2- Bizi çağırmak yok mu?

His college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “You are not inviting us?”
Use this expression if you are feeling left out.

3- Çok lezzetli görünüyor.

His girlfriend’s high school, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “It looks very delicious.”
Use this expression to agree with the poster.

4- Afiyet olsun. Cansu Hanım’a selamlar.

His supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “Bon appetit. Give my regards to Ms. Cansu.”
Again, the French loan-expression, together with a formal greeting.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

keyif: “pleasure”

Afiyet: “Appetite”

çağırmak: “to invite”

lezzetli: “delicious”

selamlar: “regards”

So, let’s practice a bit. If a friend posted something about having dinner with friends, which phrase would you use?

Now go visit a Turkish restaurant, and wow the staff with your language skills!

2. Post about Your Mall Visit in Turkish

Another super topic for social media is shopping—everybody does it, most everybody loves it, and your friends on social media are probably curious about your shopping sprees! Share these Turkish phrases in posts when you visit a mall.

Cansu shop with her sister at the mall, posts an image of the two of them, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Cansu’s post.

Abla-kardeş alışverişteyiz.
“The sisters have gone shopping.”

1- abla-kardeş

First is an expression meaning “elder sister – younger sibling”.
Abla means “elder sister” and kardeş means “sibling”. Since it doesn’t give a hint about the gender of the younger sibling, this expression can be used for elder sisters and brothers, too. In our case it’s two sisters.

2- alışverişteyiz

Then comes the phrase – “We have gone shopping.”
“Alışveriş” means “shopping” and “alışverişte” means “during shopping.” There’s “-yiz” at the end is the suffix for first person plural with buffer consonant “y”. Note that the vowels in suffixes may change according to Turkish vowel harmony rules.

COMMENTS

In response, Cansu’s friends leave some comments.

1- Eyvah!

Her boyfriend, Barış, uses an expression meaning – “Oh, no!”
Use this expression to joke a bit with the poster.

2- Bir dahaki sefere beni de çağırın.

Her high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “Next time, call me, too.”
Use this expression if you wish to be included in the poster’s plans.

3- İyi alışverişler.

Her neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Happy shopping.”
Use this expression if you are feeling warmhearted.

4- Hangi AVM?

Her boyfriend’s college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “Which mall?”
Use this question if you want more information.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

abla: “elder sister”

eyvah: “alas, oh no”

bir dahaki sefere: “next time”

alışveriş: “shopping”

AVM: “Mall”

So, if a friend posted something about going shopping, which phrase would you use?

3. Talking about a Sport Day in Turkish

Sports events, whether you’re the spectator or the sports person, offer fantastic opportunity for great social media posts. Learn some handy phrases and vocabulary to start a sport-on-the-beach conversation in Turkish.

Barış plays with his friends at the beach, posts an image of the team, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Barış’s post.

Açık havada spor yapmak gibisi yok!
“Nothing compares to doing outdoor sports!”

1- Açık havada spor yapmak

First is an expression meaning “to do outdoor sports”.
In Turkey people generally love outdoor activities.

2- gibisi yok

Then comes the phrase – “nothing compares to.”
This is a very common expression. You can combine it with your hobbies or the things you like. Just make sure the first part is either a noun or a verb in dictionary form, ending with -mek or -mak.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Barış Abi, formdan düşmüşsün.

His girlfriend’s nephew, Berke, uses an expression meaning – “Barış, you’re out of shape.”
Use this expression to joke with and tease the poster.

2- Ne güzel bronzlaşmışsınız.

His neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “You’ve got a nice tan.”
Use this expression to compliment the poster.

3- Bakıyorum keyifler yerinde.

His girlfriend’s high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “As far as I can see, you’re having a good time.”
Use this expression to make casual conversation.

4- Keyifli tatiller!

His supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “Have an enjoyable holiday!”
This is a slightly formal well-wish.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

Açık hava: “open air”

formdan düşmek: “being out of shape”

bronzlaşmak: “to get a tan”

tatil: “holiday”

Which phrase would you use if a friend posted something about sports?

But sport is not the only thing you can play! Play some music, and share it on social media.

4. Share a Song on Social Media in Turkish

Music is the language of the soul, they say. So, don’t hold back—share what touches your soul with your friends!

Cansu shares a song she just heard at a party, posts an image of the artist, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Cansu’s post.

Güne enerjik başlamak için harika bir şarkı.
“A great song to start your day with energy.”

1- Güne enerjik başlamak için

First is an expression meaning “to start the day.”
In Turkey being energetic is a very desirable trait. Recipes and tips on how to have more energy often show up on TV and newspapers.

2- harika bir şarkı

Then comes the phrase – “a great song.”
In most cases, “bir,” which corresponds to the article “a” in English, comes between the adjective and its noun.

COMMENTS

In response, Cansu’s friends leave some comments.

1- Bomba.

Her boyfriend’s college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “It’s the bomb.”
Use this expression as a strong agreement.

2- İzninle çalıyorum canım.

Her high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “If you’ll excuse me, I’m stealing your post, dear.”
Use this expression if you wish to share the post.

3- Grubun adı ne?

Her friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “What’s the name of the band?”
Use this expression to get more information.

4- Çok enerjik.

Her neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Very energetic.”
Use this expression to show you are feeling warmhearted.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

şarkı: “song”

bomba: “bomb”

çalmak: “to steal”

grup: “band”

enerjik: “energetic”

Which song would you share? And what would you say to a friend who posted something about sharing music or videos?

Now you know how to start a conversation about a song or a video on social media!

5. Turkish Social Media Comments about a Concert

Still on the theme of music—visiting live concerts and shows just have to be shared with your friends. Here are some handy phrases and vocab to wow your followers in Turkish!

Barış goes to a concert, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Barış’s post.

Bu grup bir harika!
“This band is a wonder!”

1- Bu grup

First is an expression meaning “This band”.
There are six demonstratives in Turkish: Bu=This, Şu=That (nearby), O=That (over there), Bunlar=These, Şunlar=Those (nearby), and Onlar=Those (over there).

2- bir harika

Then comes the phrase – “is a wonder.”
Even though “harika” is usually used as an adjective, it can also be a noun. Saying “bir harika” instead of “harika” gives the expression a touch of humor.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Ben de çok severim.

His neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “I love them, too.”
Use this expression to show you are in warm agreement.

2- Canlı performansları çok iyidir.

His girlfriend’s nephew, Berke, uses an expression meaning – “Their live performances are great.”
Another expression of agreement.

3- Yine bensiz mi eğleniyorsunuz?

His college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “Are you having fun without me again?”
Use this expression if you’re feeling excluded.

4- Müzik ruhun gıdasıdır.

His supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “Music is food for the soul.”
Use this expression to share a personal opinion in a slightly formal way.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

harika: “wonder”

sevmek: “to love”

canlı: “live”

eğlenmek: “to have fun”

ruh: “soul”

If a friend posted something about a concert, which phrase would you use?

6. Talking about an Unfortunate Accident in Turkish

Oh dear. You broke something by accident. Use these Turkish phrases to start a thread on social media. Or maybe just to let your friends know why you are not contacting them!

Cansu accidentally breaks her mobile phone, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Cansu’s post.

Allah kahretsin telefonumu kırdım!
“Dang it! I broke my phone!”

1- Allah kahretsin

First is an expression meaning “Dang it.”
It can also be used as “kahretsin”, which has a similar meaning to “dang it”.

2- telefonumu kırdım

Then comes the phrase – “I broke my phone.”
The word “telefonum” (my phone) takes the suffix -u because it’s in the accusative case.

COMMENTS

In response, Cansu’s friends leave some comments.

1- Geçmiş olsun.

Her supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “I hope the trouble is (already) over.”
Use this expression to show support.

2- Nasıl becerdin?

Her nephew, Berke, uses an expression meaning – “How did you manage that?”
Use this question if you wish to get more information.

3- Takma. Olur öyle.

Her boyfriend’s college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t worry. It happens.”
Use this expression if you wish to be supportive.

4- Üstüne bir bardak soğuk su iç.

Her high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “Drink a glass of cold water after what happened.”
Use this expression to give advice.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

kahretsin: “dang”

geçmek: “to pass, to be over”

becermek: “to manage, to be able to”

takmak: “to mind”

üstüne bir bardak soğuk su içmek: “to give up, to forget about the loss”

If a friend posted something about having broken something by accident, which phrase would you use?

So, now you know how to describe an accident in Turkish. Well done!

7. Chat about Your Boredom on Social Media in Turkish

Sometimes, we’re just bored with how life goes. And to alleviate the boredom, we write about it on social media. Add some excitement to your posts by addressing your friends and followers in Turkish!

Barış gets bored at home, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Barış’s post.

Sıkıntıdan patlamak üzereyim.
“I’m so bored.”

1- sıkıntıdan patlamak

First is an expression meaning “to explode because of boredom.”
It’s a very common expression and a slightly childish way of saying you’re bored.

2- üzereyim

Then comes the phrase – “I am about to.”
In this sentence “üzere” means “about to.” You can use this after any verb in the dictionary (-mek, -mak) form.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Ben de.

His girlfriend’s nephew, Berke, uses an expression meaning – “Me too.”
Use this expression to show your agreement.

2- Kanka, gel dışarı çıkalım.

His college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “Bro, let’s go out.”
Use this expression to make plans with the poster.

3- Aşkım, çok sıkıldıysan çamaşırları yıkasana.

His girlfriend, Cansu, uses an expression meaning – “Darling, if you’re so bored, why don’t you do the laundry.”
Use this expression either to tease your beloved, or perhaps you’re serious?!

4- Kanal 2’de çok güzel bir belgesel var. Tavsiye ederim.

His supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “There is a very good documentary on Channel 2. I recommend that.”
Use this expression to give advice.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

üzere: “about to”

de: “also”

kanka: “blood brother”

aşkım: “my love, darling”

belgesel: “documentary”

If a friend posted something about being bored, which phrase would you use?

Still bored? Share another feeling and see if you can start a conversation!

8. Exhausted? Share It on Social Media in Turkish

Sitting in public transport after work, feeling like chatting online? Well, converse in Turkish about how you feel, and let your friends join in!

Cansu feels exhausted after a long day at work, posts an image of herself looking tired, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Cansu’s post.

Bugün işte canım çıktı. Tatile ihtiyacım var.
“Today, I worked myself to death. I need a holiday.”

1- Bugün işte canım çıktı.

First is an expression meaning “Today, I worked myself to death.”
“Can” is believed to be the life force inside a body. It is also a popular male name in Turkey. “Canı çıkmak” means “life force escaping the body”; it’s a synonym for death. Turkish people use this expression to overstate their exhaustion.

2- Tatile ihtiyacım var.

Then comes the phrase – “I need a holiday.”
Turkey has more official holidays than many other countries. But compared to other OECD countries, working people in Turkey have less days off in total and work more overtime. So it’s difficult to have a vacation in Turkey unless it’s one of the official holidays.

COMMENTS

In response, Cansu’s friends leave some comments.

1- Yazık sana!

Her high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “Poor thing!”
Use this expression to be sympathetic.

2- Bir fincan bitki çayı iyi gelir.

Her neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “A cup of herbal tea would help.”
Use this expression to give advice.

3- Hayat zor.

Her nephew, Berke, uses an expression meaning – “Life is tough.”
Use this expression to be humorous by using a philosophical statement.

4- Bu akşam yemeği Barış hazırlıyor anlaşılan.

Her boyfriend’s college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “It looks like Barış will do the cooking tonight.”
Use this expression if you are feeling frivolous.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

can: “life force”

yazık: “pity”

fincan: “tea cup”

hayat: “life”

hazırlamak: “to prepare”

If a friend posted something about being exhausted, which phrase would you use?

Now you know how to say you’re exhausted in Turkish! Well done.

9. Talking about an Injury in Turkish

So life happens, and you manage to hurt yourself during a soccer game. Very Tweet-worthy! Here’s how to do it in Turkish.

Barış suffers a painful ankle injury, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Barış’s post.

Spor salonunda bileğimi burktum. Davul gibi şişti.
“I sprained my ankle at the gym. It’s swollen like a drum.”

1- Spor salonunda bileğimi burktum.

First is an expression meaning “I sprained my ankle at the gym..”
Nowadays, going to the gym is a popular activity among white collar workers.

2- Davul gibi şişti.

Then comes the phrase – “It’s swollen like a drum..”
In Turkish a drum is generally used as a comparison for swollen body parts.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Of çok fena görünüyor.

His neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Oh, it looks very bad.”
Use this expression if you are feeling very sympathetic.

2- Geçmiş olsun. Doktora gittin mi?

His supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “Get well soon. Did you go to the doctor?”
This is a well-wish, as well as a question. The phrases express concern.

3- Kafam kadar olmuş.

His girlfriend’s high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “It’s almost as big as my head.”
Use this expression to give a personal opinion about the injury.

4- Spor salonuna gitmek kim, sen kim.

His girlfriend’s nephew, Berke, uses an expression meaning – “Going to the gym and you are not a good match.”
This is another personal opinion.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

bilek: “ankle, wrist”

fena: “bad”

geçmiş olsun: “get well soon”

kafa: “head”

spor salonu: “gym”

If a friend posted something about being injured, which phrase would you use?

We love to share our fortunes and misfortunes; somehow that makes us feel connected to others.

10. Starting a Conversation Feeling Disappointed in Turkish

Sometimes things don’t go the way we planned. Share your disappointment about this with your friends!

Cansu feels disappointed about today’s weather, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Cansu’s post.

Pazar olmasına rağmen yağmur yüzünden evde kapalı kaldık.
“Even though it’s Sunday, because of the rain, we’re locked up inside the house.”

1- pazar olmasına rağmen

First is an expression meaning “Even though it’s Sunday.”
The first word means “Sunday,” and the third word means “even though.” In between them is the helping verb meaning “to be”.

2- yağmur yüzünden evde kapalı kaldık

Then comes the phrase – “because of the rain we are locked up inside the house.”
In Turkey, winter is the rainy season, so in spring and summer weekend plans are not usually ruined because of bad weather.

COMMENTS

In response, Cansu’s friends leave some comments.

1- Gerçekten çok can sıkıcı.

Her high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “It’s really annoying.”
Use this expression to be in agreement.

2- Üstelik arabayı da daha geçen gün yıkatmıştım.

Her boyfriend’s college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “On top of that, I just washed my car the other day.”
Use this expression to share a personal experience. It’s a good way to keep the conversation going.

3- Kuraklık olmasından iyidir.

Her friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “It’s better than a drought.”
Use this expression to offer a differing opinion.

4- Bugün için bir programınız mı vardı?

Her neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Did you have plans for today?”
Use this question to show your interest.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

yağmur: “rain”

can sıkıcı: “annoying”

araba: “car”

kuraklık: “drought”

program: “program, plan”

How would you comment in Turkish when a friend is disappointed?

Not all posts need to be about a negative feeling, though!

11. Talking about Your Relationship Status in Turkish

Don’t just change your relationship status in Settings, talk about it!

Barış changes his status to “In a relationship”, posts an image of him and Cansu, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Barış’s post.

Hayatımın kadınını buldum, mutluyum.
“I found the woman of my life. I’m happy.”

1- Hayatımın kadınını buldum

First is an expression meaning “I have found the woman of my life.”
“Hayatımın kadını” is a defined compound noun meaning “the woman of my life”. In this kind of compound noun, the first noun takes the suffix -ın, and the second noun takes the third person singular possessive suffix -ı. On top of that, the noun compound takes another suffix (-nı) to form the accusative case.

2- mutluyum

Then comes the phrase – “I’m happy.”
In Turkey people usually change their relationship status without making any comment, but friends and relatives rush to make comments under the post and ask questions.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Beni yengeyle ne zaman tanıştıracaksın?

His college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “When will you introduce me to her?”
Use this question if you are curious.

2- Ne zamandan beri?

His friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “Since when?”
Ask this question if you want more information.

3- Bu şanslı kadın kim?

His supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “Who’s the lucky lady?”
This is a slightly formal question to get more information.

4- İnanmıyorum! Senin adına çok sevindim

His neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “I don’t believe it! I’m so happy for you.”
Use this expression if you are feeling warmhearted and pleased.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

kadın: “woman”

yenge: “wife of brother”

Ne zamandan beri?: “Since when?”

şanslı: “lucky”

sevinmek: “to rejoice”

What would you say in Turkish when a friend changes their relationship status?

Being in a good relationship with someone special is good news – don’t be shy to spread it!

12. Post about Getting Married in Turkish

Wow, so things got serious, and you’re getting married. Congratulations! Or, your friend is getting married, so talk about this in Turkish.

Cansu is getting married today, so she eaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Cansu’s post.

Bugün büyük gün. Kalbim yerinden fırlayacak gibi.
“Today’s the big day. It feels like my heart is going to pop out.”

1- Bugün büyük gün.

First is an expression meaning “Today is the big day..”
“Büyük gün” is a compound adjective formed with the adjective “big” and the noun “day”.

2- Kalbim yerinden fırlayacak gibi.

Then comes the phrase – “It feels like my heart is going to pop out.”
It’s an expression that shows excitement.

COMMENTS

In response, Cansu’s friends leave some comments.

1- Sakın ha ağlayıp da makyajını mahvetme.

Her high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t cry and ruin your makeup.”
Use this expression to be funny.

2- Canım, çok güzel bir gelin oldun.

Her neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “My dear, you have become a beautiful bride.”
Use this expression as a compliment.

3- Damadın ayağına basmayı unutma.

Her husband’s college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “Don’t forget to step on the groom’s foot.”
Use this expression if you are feeling frivolous and are in a humorous mood.

4- Mutluluklar dilerim.

Her supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “I wish you happiness.”
This is a traditional, slightly formal well-wish.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

kalp: “heart”

ağlamak: “to cry”

gelin: “bride”

damat: “groom”

mutluluk: “happiness”

How would you respond in Turkish to a friend’s post about getting married?

For the next topic, fast forward about a year into the future after the marriage…

13. Announcing Big News in Turkish

Wow, huge stuff is happening in your life! Announce it in Turkish.

Barış finds out he and his wife are going to have a baby, posts an image of the two of them, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Barış’s post.

Duyduk duymadık demeyin! Baba oluyorum!
“Hear ye! Hear ye! I’m going to be a father!”

1- Duyduk duymadık demeyin!

First is an expression meaning “Do not say we have heard we have not heard!.”
In Ottoman times, this was how public announcements started. People continue to use this expression in a humorous way.

2- Baba oluyorum!

Then comes the phrase – “I’m going to be a father!”
This sentence is grammatically in the present continuous form but is referring to the future. This style of speech is often used in daily conversation.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Oğlan olursa adını Can koyacaksın, tamam mı?

His college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “If it’s a boy, you are going to name him Can, okay?”
Use this expression to make a suggestion.

2- Allah analı babalı büyütsün.

His supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “May God have the child to grow up with their parents on their side.”
This is a formal way of blessing the child.

3- Gözünüz aydın.

His neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Happy news for you.”
Use this expression if you are feeling warmhearted.

4- Tebrikler.

His friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “Congratulations.”
This is the traditional response to news of this kind.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

baba: “father”

oğlan: “boy”

büyütmek: “to nurture”

aydın: “illuminated, intellectual”

tebrik: “congratulations”

Which phrase would you choose when a friend announces their pregnancy on social media?

So, talking about a pregnancy will get you a lot of traction on social media. But wait till you see the responses to babies!

14. Posting Turkish Comments about Your Baby

Your bundle of joy is here, and you cannot keep quiet about it! Share your thoughts in Turkish.

Cansu plays with her baby, posts an image of the cutie, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Cansu’s post.

Banyomuzu yaptık. Keyfimiz yerinde.
“We have taken our bath. We are in a good mood.”

1- Banyomuzu yaptık.

First is an expression meaning “We have taken our bath.”
Even though only the baby has taken a bath, the mother speaks in plural. Turkish people use this style of speech when they are talking about children or people that they are responsible for.

2- Keyfimiz yerinde.

Then comes the phrase – “We are in a good mood.”
Again the mother talks in plural form but means the baby is in a good mood.

COMMENTS

In response, Cansu’s friends leave some comments.

1- Babaya çekmiş.

Her nephew, Berke, uses an expression meaning – “She takes after her father.”
Use this expression to share a personal opinion.

2- Allah nazardan saklasın.

Her neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “May God hide her from evil eyes.”
This is a traditional wish of safety for the newcomer.

3- Nur topu gibi maşallah.

Her supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “She’s like a ball of light; may God protect her.”
Use this expression to compliment the baby, and to wish her protection.

4- Ay ben onu yerim!

Her high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “Aw, I will eat her up!”
Use this expression if you think the baby is cute and adorable.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

banyo: “bath”

çekmek: “to take after”

nazar: “evil eye”

nur: “light”

yemek: “to eat”

If your friend is the mother or father, which phrase would you use on social media?

Congratulations, you know the basics of chatting about a baby in Turkish! But we’re not done with families yet…

15. Turkish Comments about a Family Reunion

Family reunions – some you love, some you hate. Share about it on your feed.

Barış goes to a family gathering, posts an image of the group, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Barış’s post.

İftardan sonra babamgille tavla keyfi.
“After iftar, I’ll enjoy a backgammon game with my father.”

1- İftardan sonra

First is an expression meaning “After Iftar.”
“Iftar” is the dinner with which Muslims end their daily fasts during Ramadan. It is a tradition to prepare a family gathering and feast once or twice during Ramadan. Even the seculars in the family who don’t fast take part in the Iftar feast.

2- babamgille tavla keyfi.

Then comes the phrase – “I’ll enjoy a game of backgammon with my father and others.”
Backgammon is the most popular board game in Turkey. As a tradition the winner makes the loser hold the board under his arm to show everyone who lost and who won.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Safiye Teyze iftar sofrasında döktürmüştür yine.

His college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “I’m sure Aunt Safiye did wonders for the fast breaking table.”
Use this expression to show your appreciation.

2- Sizinkilere selam söyle. Çok öptüm.

His neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Say hi to your folks. Many kisses.”
Use this expression to give warmhearted, casual greetings.

3- Allah kabul etsin.

His supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “May God accept your fast.”
This is a formal, traditional saying when a sacrifice, such as a fast, was offered to God.

4- Ne güzel bir aile!

His friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “What a beautiful family!”
Use this expression if you’re feeling appreciative.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

babamgil: “my father and the rest of the family”

döktürmek: “(slang) to do something with great finesse”

öpmek: “to kiss”

kabul etmek: “to accept”

aile: “family”

Which phrase is your favorite to comment on a friend’s photo about a family reunion?

16. Post about Your Travel Plans in Turkish

So, Cansu is going on holiday. Do you know how to post and leave comments in Turkish about being at the airport, waiting for a flight?

Cansu waits at the airport for her flight, posts an image of herself, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Cansu’s post.

Yolculuk zamanı. Rötar olmasa bari…
“Time to travel. There better not be a delay.”

1- Yolculuk zamanı.

First is an expression meaning “Journey time”.
With a great percentage of internal and international migration, phrases and traditions about journeys become an important part of Turkish culture. It is considered good manners to ask for details of someone’s upcoming journey and wish them a safe trip.

2- Rötar olmasa bari…

Then comes the phrase – “There better not be a delay..”
“Rötar” is the term used for flight delays, something Turkish people cannot stand.

COMMENTS

In response, Cansu’s friends leave some comments.

1- Yolculuk nereye?

Her neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Where to?”
This is a traditional, expected question.

2- Hayırlı yolculuklar.

Her supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “Have a good journey.”
This is a traditional, slightly formal well-wish before someone’s journey.

3- Tatili hak ettin.

Her high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “You deserve a vacation.”
Use this expression if you are supportive and warmhearted.

4- İyi tatiller

Her friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “Have a good holiday.”
This is another well-wish, but a more casual one.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

yolculuk: “journey”

nereye: “to where”

hayırlı: “auspicious”

hak etmek: “to deserve”

tatil: “vacation”

Choose and memorize your best airport phrase in Turkish!

Hopefully the rest of the trip is better!

17. Posting about an Interesting Find in Turkish

So maybe you’re strolling around at a local market, and find something interesting. Here are some handy Turkish phrases!

Barış finds an unusual item at a local market, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Barış’s post.

Bakın pazarda ne buldum – yaprak sarma makinesi! Asma yaprağı ve pirinci koyuyorsunuz, bir saniyede sarmanız hazır.
“Look what I found in the bazaar – a leaf rolling machine! You put in vine leaves and rice and your sarma is ready in a second.”

1- Bakın pazarda ne buldum: yaprak sarma makinesi!

First is an expression meaning “Look what I found in the bazaar – a leaf rolling machine!.”
Bazaars are very important in Turkey. Every neighborhood holds a bazaar once a week. You can find the freshest fruits and vegetables for the lowest prices. Some housewives in poorer families buy a week’s share of fruits and vegetables. You can also find cheap clothes, accessories, and household gadgets.

2- Asma yaprağı ve pirinci koyuyorsunuz, bir saniyede sarmanız hazır

Then comes the phrase – “You put vine leaves and rice and your sarma is ready in a second..”
Sarma, which is a rice stuffed vine leaf roll, is one of the most popular but time consuming dishes in Turkish cuisine. Vine leaf rolling gadgets, which work in the same way as cigarette rolling gadgets, used to be a big hit in the bazaars.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Madem öyle, bundan sonra sarmalar senden.

His wife, Cansu, uses an expression meaning – “If that’s the case, from now on you will be cooking the sarma.”
Use this expression to tease the poster a bit.

2- Pişirip bir tabak getirirsin artık.

His college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “You better cook and bring me a plate, too.”
Use this expression if you are feeling eager and frivolous.

3- Harika bir icat!

His neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “A great invention!”
Use this expression if you are in agreement.

4- Bayıldım!

His friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “I love it!”
Use this expression if you are feeling very optimistic.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

pazar: “bazaar”

sarma: “rolling, stuffed leaf rolls”

pişirmek: “to cook”

icat: “invention”

bayılmak: “to pass out, to like very much”

Which phrase would you use to comment on a friend’s interesting find?

Perhaps you will even learn the identity of your find! Or perhaps you’re on holiday, and visiting interesting places…

18. Post about a Sightseeing Trip in Turkish

Let your friends know what you’re up to in Turkish, especially when visiting a remarkable place! Don’t forget the photo.

Cansu visits a famous landmark, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Cansu’s post.

İstanbul’a bahar geldi. Bugün Ortaköy’ü geziyorum.
“Spring has arrived in Istanbul. Today, I’m sightseeing in Ortaköy.”

1- İstanbul’a bahar geldi.

First is an expression meaning “Spring has arrived in Istanbul..”
Spring in Istanbul is associated with blooming Judas trees and tulips.

2- Bugün Ortaköy’ü geziyorum.

Then comes the phrase – “Today, I’m sightseeing in Ortaköy..”
Locals visit Ortaköy to enjoy a view of the sea, the huge Bosphorus bridge, and the elegant Ortaköy Mosque.

COMMENTS

In response, Cansu’s friends leave some comments.

1- Öyleyse Arnavutköy’e de uğramalısın.

Her neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Then you should stop by Arnavutköy, too.”
Use this expression to make a suggestion.

2- Hayat sana güzel.

Her high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “Life is good for you.”
Use this expression to share a personal opinion.

3- İyi eğlenceler.

Her friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “Have fun.”
Use this expression as a casual well-wish.

4- Keyifli gezmeler Cansu hanım.

Her supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “I wish you a pleasant sightseeing, Ms. Cansu.”
This is a formal well-wish.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

gezmek: “to travel, to sightsee”

uğramak: “to stop by, to pass by”

güzel: “beautiful, nice”

eğlence: “fun, entertainment”

hanım: “lady”

Which phrase would you prefer when a friend posts about a famous landmark?

Share your special places with the world. Or simply post about your relaxing experiences.

19. Post about Relaxing Somewhere in Turkish

So you’re doing nothing yet you enjoy that too? Tell your social media friends about it in Turkish!

Barış relaxes at a beautiful place, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Barış’s post.

Büyükada’da haftasonu kaçamağı.
“A weekend getaway in Buyukada.”

1- Büyükada’da

First is an expression meaning “in Buyukada.”
Buyukada, or Big Island, is the biggest of the Prince islands in Istanbul. These islands are easy to access with a ferry ride and are a popular day-trip destination during summer.

2- haftasonu kaçamağı

Then comes the phrase – “a weekend getaway.”
White collar workers in Turkey use this expression often when they go on a trip away from the city center.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Sizi kaçaklar sizi!

His wife’s high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “You runaways!”
Use this expression to be funny.

2- Keyifli haftasonları Barış Bey.

His supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “Wish you a delightful weekend, Mr. Barış.”
This is a formal well-wish.

3- Bu mevsimde Adalar çok güzeldir.

His neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “The Islands must be lovely this season.”
Use this expression to share a personal opinion.

4- Güzel havanın tadını çıkarın.

His friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “Enjoy the nice weather.”
Use this expression if you are feeling optimistic and wish the poster well.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

haftasonu: “weekend”

kaçak: “runaway”

bey: “sir, mister”

mevsim: “season”

hava: “weather”

Which phrase would you use to comment on a friend’s feed?

The break was great, but now it’s time to return home.

20. What to Say in Turkish When You’re Home Again

And you’re back! What will you share with friends and followers?

Cansu returns home after a vacation, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Cansu’s post.

Evim evim güzel evim. Ama keşke tatil hiç bitmeseydi diyorum.
“Home sweet home. But I wish the vacation never ended.”

1- Evim evim güzel evim.

First is an expression meaning “Home sweet home.”
Note that in the translation of the famous phrase “home sweet home” Turkish people say “my home” twice at the beginning to enhance the meaning.

2- Ama keşke tatil hiç bitmeseydi diyorum.

Then comes the phrase – “But I wish the vacation never ended.”
On Turkish social media you can see a lot of people complaining about Monday syndrome or post-vacation syndrome.

COMMENTS

In response, Cansu’s friends leave some comments.

1- Her güzel şeyin bir sonu vardır.

Her high school friend, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “Every good thing has an end.”
Use this expression to share a personal opinion.

2- Tatil sonrası sendromuna hoşgeldin.

Her husband’s college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “Welcome to post-vacation syndrome.”
Use this expression to show your agreement.

3- Yarın işbaşı mı yapıyorsun?

Her neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Are you going back to work tomorrow?”
Ask this question if you want information.

4- Yalnız iyi tatil yaptın.

Her nephew, Berke, uses an expression meaning – “But you took a good vacation.”
Use this expression to share a personal opinion.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

keşke: “if only”

son: “end”

sendrom: “syndrome”

işbaşı yapmak: “to start working”

tatil yapmak: “to take a vacation”

How would you welcome a friend back from a trip?

What do you post on social media during a religious holiday such as Ruz-ı Hızır (day of Hızır)?

21. It’s Time to Celebrate in Turkish

It’s an historic day and you wish to post something about it on social media. What would you say?

Barış partakes in Ruz-i Hizir celebrations, posts an image of this, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Barış’s post.

Sahilde Hıdrellez kutlaması. Üzerinden atladığım ateş 2 metre vardı!
“Hıdrellez celebration on the shore. The fire I jumped over was almost 2 meters tall!”

1- Sahilde Hıdrellez kutlaması.

First is an expression meaning “Hıdrellez celebration on the shore.”
It is believed that the prophets Hızır and Elijah meet on earth every year on the 5th of May. On that night people write down or draw their wishes and put them under rose trees.

2- Üzerinden atladığım ateş 2 metre vardı!

Then comes the phrase – “The fire I jumped over was almost 2 meters tall..”
Another ritual on that night is to jump over fire.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Ateşten atlarken paçaların tutuşmasın da.

His high school friend of Cansu, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “Make sure your pants don’t catch fire while jumping.”
Use this expression to be funny.

2- 2 metre mi?! Tabii tabii öyledir.

His college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “2 meters?! Yeah, sure.”
Use this expression if you are feeling incredulous.

3- Ben de dileklerimi gül ağacına astım.

His neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “I tied my wishes on a rose tree.”
Use this expression to share personal news.

4- Bugünün Hıdrellez olduğunu unutmuşum. Hemen bir gül ağacı bulmalıyım!

His friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “I forgot today was Hıdrellez. I have to find a rose tree right away!”
Another bit of personal news – always a good way to keep a thread alive.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

ateş: “fire”

atlamak: “to jump”

metre: “meter”

dilek: “wish”

gül ağacı: “rose tree”

If a friend posted something about a holiday, which phrase would you use?

But, the Day of Hızır and other public commemoration days are not the only special ones to remember!

22. Posting about a Birthday on Social Media in Turkish

Your friend or you are celebrating your birthday in an unexpected way. Be sure to share this on social media!

Cansu goes to her birthday party, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Cansu’s post.

İş yerinden arkadaşlar benim için sürpriz doğum günü partisi hazırlamış!
“Friends from the workplace have prepared a surprise birthday party for me!”

1- İş yerinden arkadaşlar

First is an expression meaning “friends from the workplace.”
Colleagues are called friends from work even though they are not real friends.

2- benim için sürpriz doğum günü partisi hazırlamış.

Then comes the phrase – “have prepared a surprise birthday party for me.”
In Turkish when the subject of a sentence is human and plural, the verb should also be plural. But in some sentences, like this one, if the subject is in third person plural and they are doing the action together as a group, the verb can be in third person singular form.

COMMENTS

In response, Cansu’s friends leave some comments.

1- Asıl parti ne zaman?

Her husband’s college friend, Can, uses an expression meaning – “When is the real party?”
Use this expression if you are feeling frivolous.

2- Doğum günün kutlu olsun.

Her neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Happy birthday.”
This is a traditional birthday wish.

3- Nice yıllara.

Her friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “To many more years.”
This is a casual birthday wish, wishing the poster a long life.

4- Kaç oldun?

Her nephew, Berke, uses an expression meaning – “What age are you now?”
Ask this question if you wish to know more details.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

iş yeri: “work place”

parti: “party”

doğum günü: “birthday”

yıl: “year”

kaç: “how much, how many”

If a friend posted something about birthday greetings, which phrase would you use?

23. Talking about New Year on Social Media in Turkish

Impress your friends with your Turkish New Year’s wishes this year. Learn the phrases easily!

Barış celebrates the New Year, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Barış’s post.

Yeni yıl herkese sağlık, mutluluk ve başarı getirsin.
“The new year shall bring health, happiness, and success to everyone.”

1- Yeni yıl

First is an expression meaning “The new year.”
In Turkey while young people go out to party on the night of December 31, families with children stay at home and play bingo or other board games while they wait for the belly dance show on TV. Watching belly dancers on TV became a New Year’s tradition in 1981 when the state television channel let a belly dancer dance on TV for the first time.

2- herkese sağlık, mutluluk ve başarı getirsin.

Then comes the phrase – “shall bring health, happiness, and success to everyone.”
Thinking of long and fancy new year’s wishes and sending them to everyone via text message or email is very common in Turkey.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Amin!

His high school friend of Cansu, Seda, uses an expression meaning – “Amen!”
Use this phrase to empathically express agreement.

2- Hayırlı seneler

His supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “Auspicious new year.”
This is a slightly formal New Year’s wish.

3- Mutlu, sağlıklı, huzurlu yıllar.

His neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Happy, healthy, peaceful years.”
This is a slightly more original, personal New Year’s wish.

4- Yeni yılınız kutlu olsun.

His friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “Happy New Year.”
This is a traditional response to a New Year’s wish.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

Yeni yıl: “New year”

amin: “amen”

sene: “year”

sağlıklı: “healthy”

kutlu: “blessed”

Which is your favorite phrase to post on social media during New Year?

But before New Year’s Day comes another important day…

24. What to Post on Ramadan in Turkish

What will you say in Turkish about Ramadan?

Cansu celebrates Ramadan with her family, posts an image of the group, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Cansu’s post.

Anneannemlerde bayram yemeği.
“Holiday meal at my grandmother’s.”

1- Anneannemlerde

First is an expression meaning “at my grandmother’s.”
The first word is the plural form of the word for maternal grandmother. It means “at the home of my mother’s mother and the rest of her family”.

2- bayram yemeği

Then comes the phrase – “holiday meal.”
Holiday meal could be a lunch or an early dinner.

COMMENTS

In response, Cansu’s friends leave some comments.

1- Hayırlı bayramlar.

Her supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “Auspicious holidays.”
This expression is a formal well-wish for the holidays.

2- Büyüklerin ellerinden, küçüklerin gözlerinden öperim. Şeker bayramınız kutlu olsun.

Her neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “I kiss the elder’s hands and younger’s eyes. Happy Candy Holiday.”
Use this expression if you are feeling warmhearted respect for the elders in the family.

3- Bayramda akraba ziyaretinden kaçış yok.

Her nephew, Berke, uses an expression meaning – “There is no escape from visiting relatives on holidays.”
Use this phrase to express humor by being a bit cynical.

4- Ramazan bayramınız kutlu olsun.

Her friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “Happy Ramadan.”
Use this expression to show you are feeling optimistic.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

anneanne: “grandmother on mother’s side”

bayram: “religious or national holiday”

el: “hand”

akraba: “relative”

Ramazan bayramı: “Ramadan Holiday”

If a friend posted something about Ramadan greetings, which phrase would you use?

So, the festive season is over! Yet, there will always be other days, besides a birthday, to wish someone well.

25. Post about Your Anniversary in Turkish

Some things deserve to be celebrated, like wedding anniversaries. Learn which Turkish phrases are meaningful and best suited for this purpose!

Barış celebrates his wedding anniversary with his wife, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Barış’s post.

Birtanemle 2. evlilik yıldönümümüzü kutluyoruz..
“Celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary with my only one…”

1- Birtanemle.

First is an expression meaning “with my only one…”
There are many words of endearment in Turkish and Turkish people use these very often. There are many couples in Turkey that never call each other by their actual names. But they always use words of endearment, even when they are having an argument.

2- 2. evlilik yıldönümümüzü kutluyoruz

Then comes the phrase – “Celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary.”
In Turkish, counters are written with a dot after the number.

COMMENTS

In response, Barış’s friends leave some comments.

1- Ay çok şekersiniz!

His neighbor, Zeynep, uses an expression meaning – “Aw, you are lovely!”
Use this expression to show your appreciation.

2- İnsan Boğaz’da bir yemeğe götürür.

His wife’s nephew, Berke, uses an expression meaning – “A decent human would take her for dinner in Bosphorus.”
Use this phrase to show humor by being a bit insulting.

3- Birlikte nice mutlu senelere

His friend, Selin, uses an expression meaning – “I wish you many more happy years together.”
This is a warm well-wish to the couple.

4- Evlilik yıldönümünüz kutlu olsun.

His supervisor, Orhan, uses an expression meaning – “Happy wedding anniversary.”
This wish is more traditional and old fashioned, but still universally used.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

evlilik: “marriage”

şeker: “sweet, lovely”

Boğaz: “Bosphorus”

birlikte: “together”

yıldönümü: “anniversary”

If a friend posted something about Anniversary greetings, which phrase would you use?

Conclusion

Learning to speak a new language will always be easier once you know key phrases that everybody uses. These would include commonly used expressions for congratulations and best wishes, etc.

Master these in fun ways with Learn Turkish! We offer a variety of tools to individualize your learning experience, including using cell phone apps, audiobooks, iBooks and many more. Never wonder again what to say on social media!