Category: Turkish

Here are some Turkish basics to help you understand the language. If you notice closely, you will find a lot of words similar in your language as Turkish has tons of loanwords. Turkish vocabulary is very easy to grasp and you will slowly realize this as you progress further. Greetings in Turkish (Selamlaşma) Turkish greetings depend on formality and time of day. Basic Greetings Merhaba → HelloSelam → Hi (informal)Günaydın → Good morningİyi akşamlar → Good eveningİyi geceler → Good nightHoşça kal → Goodbye (informal, when YOU are leaving)Hoşça kalın → Goodbye (formal/plural)Güle güle → Goodbye (when THEY are leaving) Important Cultural Note Turkish has two forms of “you”: Sen → informal (friends, family) Siz → formal / plural This affects verb endings. We will practice that soon. How to Ask “How Are You?” Informal: Nasılsın? → How are you? (to one person, informal) Formal: Nasılsınız? → How are you? (formal or plural) Notice: -sın = informal ending -sınız = formal/plural ending Replies İyiyim → I am goodÇok iyiyim → I am very goodFena değilim → I’m not badKötüyüm → I am badTeşekkür ederim → Thank youSağ olun → Thank you (formal) Personal Pronouns (Kişi Zamirleri) These are essential. TurkishEnglishBenISenYou (Informal)OHe / She / ItBizWeSizYou (Formal / Plural)OnlarThey The Verb “To Be” in Turkish In English: I am You are He is In Turkish:There is NO separate word for “am/is/are” in present tense. Instead, endings are attached directly to nouns. Example: “I am Sana” English:I am Sana. Turkish:Ben Sana’yım. Breakdown: Sana→ name -yım → I am You can also drop the pronoun:Sana’yım. (Because the ending already shows “I”) The Present “To Be” Endings PronounEndingExampleBen-im / -ım / -um / -ümÖğrenciyim (I am a student)Sen-sin / -sınÖğrencisinO(no ending)O öğrenciBiz-iz / -ızÖğrenciyizSiz-siniz / -sınızÖğrencisinizOnlar-ler / -larÖğrenciler Notice vowel harmony again. Saying Your Name Adın ne? → What is your name? (informal)Adınız ne? → What is your name? (formal) Answer: Benim adım Sana. My name is Sana. Breakdown: Benim → my ad → name -ım → my Literally:“My name is Sana.” Asking Where Someone Is From Nerelisin? → Where are you from? (informal)Nerelisiniz? → formal Answer: Pakistanlıyım. → I am Pakistani.Türküm. → I am Turkish. Notice the nationality suffix: -lı / -li / -lu / -lü Example: Pakistan → Pakistanlı Türkiye → Türkiyeli Basic Sentence Structure Turkish sentence order: Subject + Object + Verb English:I drink tea. Turkish:Ben çay içerim. Literally:I tea drink. The verb comes at the END. Always remember this rule. Yes / No Questions In Turkish, yes/no questions use: -mi / -mı / -mu / -mü Example: Öğrenci misin?Are you a student? Breakdown: Öğrenci → student mi → question particle sin → you are Answer: Evet → YesHayır → No Introducing Yourself Let’s build a short introduction: Merhaba.Ben Sana.Tacikistanlıyım.Öğrenciyim.Memnun oldum. Translation: Hello.I am Sana.I am from Tajikistan.I am a student.Nice to meet you. Polite Expressions Lütfen → PleaseTeşekkür ederim → Thank youRica ederim → You’re welcomeÖzür dilerim → I am sorry These are essential for daily interaction. Now, let’s practice a mini dialogue. A: Merhaba. Nasılsın?B: İyiyim, teşekkür ederim. Sen nasılsın?A: Ben de iyiyim. Adın ne?B: Benim adım Sana. Senin adın ne?A: Benim adım Ahmet. Nerelisin?B: Pakistanlıyım. Pro tip: Try to consume as much content in Turkish as possible. These blogs will help you revise but languages are vast and the best tip to cover a wide range of vocabulary is through watching content in your target language. Formality in Turkish In Turkish society: Use Siz with elders. Use Sen with friends. Formal speech shows respect. Respect is deeply embedded in the Turkish language and it is essential that you learn basic formal words before you go on to engage with locals. This would leave a good impression.

Category: Turkish

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