50 Common Turkish Phrases with Pronunciation
The exact phrases for greetings, markets, restaurants and travel — with simple pronunciation so you sound friendly from day one.
A few words of Turkish change everything — prices soften, smiles widen, and you get invited for tea. Here are the phrases that matter most, grouped by situation. Pair them with the sounds from our alphabet guide and you are ready.
Greetings & essentials
| Turkish | English | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| Merhaba | Hello | MER-ha-ba |
| Teşekkür ederim | Thank you | te-shek-KUR e-de-rim |
| Lütfen | Please | LUT-fen |
| Evet / Hayır | Yes / No | e-VET / ha-YUR |
| Affedersiniz | Excuse me | af-fe-DER-si-niz |
At the market
- Bu ne kadar? — How much is this?
- Çok pahalı. — Very expensive.
- İndirim var mı? — Is there a discount?
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Eating out
- Menü, lütfen. — The menu, please.
- Çok lezzetli! — Very delicious!
- Hesap, lütfen. — The bill, please.
- Afiyet olsun. — Enjoy your meal.
The magic phrases
Some phrases carry the whole culture — Kolay gelsin ("may it come easy") to anyone working, Elinize sağlık ("health to your hands") to whoever cooked. We explain these and more in Turkish culture & etiquette.
From phrases to conversation
Memorised phrases get you through a trip. To actually talk — understand the reply, make a joke — you need the grammar underneath and real practice. See how to practise speaking and start with the beginner's plan.
