Frequently used Turkish words for tourists

Millions of tourists visit Turkey every year. You can find very comfortable English-speaking people in tourism centers and hotels in Turkey, but it can be useful to know some Turkish words.

In places such as cafes, restaurants, and bars, the menus are usually written in both Turkish and English.

In Turkey’s main tourist centers such as Antalya, Fethiye, Marmaris, and Bodrum, there are many people who speak languages other than English, such as German, Russian and Arabic.

Turks are very hospitable and try to help tourists in every way to be satisfied with their holiday in Turkey. However, sometimes you may encounter people who do not speak English.

Also, Turkish people like to speak Turkish, even if it’s just a few words, and they give you extra attention. Before we are getting start, I would like to offer a Turkish English dictionary which is an English Turkish dictionary as well. This can be very helpful to understand Turkish language better. Also you can learn free Turkish from these online resources.

Frequently used Turkish words and their English equivalents

We have prepared the most used words for you in categories.

Most used Turkish Words

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
Hi	Selam	Seel-am
Hello	Merhaba	Mare-ha-ba
Good bye	Güle Güle	guul-e guul-e
Good morning	Günaydın	Gun-ayy-din
Thank you	Teşekkür ederim	Te-sh-qy-err ed-err-im
Please	Lütfen	Lutt-fen
Yes	Evet	Ev-et
No	Hayır	Ha-ear
Sorry	Üzgünüm	Uzz-gu-num
Excuse me	Affedersiniz	Aff-ed-dir-san-iz
I want	İstiyorum	Iss-ti-yorr-um
I don’t want	İstemiyorum	Iss-te-mii-yorr-um
Food	Yemek	Yemm-ek
Drink	İçecek	Icc-e-cek
Mr	Bay	Bay
Mrs	Bayan	Bay-ann
But	Ama	Ama
Or	Veya	Vee-ya
And	Ve	Vee
Child	Çocuk	Coo-cuk
I can’t speak Turkish	Türkçe bilmiyorum	Turrk-ce bill-mi-yor-um
I don’t understand	Anlamıyorum	Ann-la-mii-yor-um
I’m fine	İyiyim	Iyy-iyy-im
What time is it?	Saat kaç?	Saa-at kac?
Can I have …?	… rica ediyorum	Rii-ca edd-i-yorr-um
Excellent!	Çok güzel	Cokk gu-zee-ll

Commonly used words in Accommodation in Turkey

The most common Turkish words you may need during your stay.

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
Hotel	Otel	Ot-al
Hostel	Pansiyon	Pen-si-yon
Reservation	Rezervasyon	Rez-err-va-es-yon
Room	Oda	O-da
Entrance	Giriş	Gi-ri-s
Exit	Çıkış	Ci-kis
Luggage	Valiz	Ve-liz
Restaurant	Restoran	Res-to-ran
Cafe	Kafe	Ka-fe
Air-conditioning	Klima	Kl-i-ma
Balcony	Balkon	Baal-kon
Pull	Çekiniz	Cekk-i-niz
Push	İtiniz	Itt-i-niz
Cleaning	Temizlik	Tee-miz-lik
Clean	Temiz	tee-miz
Reception	Resepsiyon	Ress-ep-si-yoon
Shower	Duş	Du-ss
Soap	Sabun	Saa-bun
Shampoo	Şampuan	Samm-pu-aan
Towel	Havlu	Havv-lu
Toilet	Tuvalet	Tuu-a-let
Toilet paper	Tuvalet kağıdı	Tuu-a-let ka-gii-di
Swimming pool	Havuz	Haa-vu-z
Slipper	Terlik	Teer-liik
Pillow	Yastık	Yass-tik
Sheet	Çarşaf	Carr-saff
Balcony	Balkon	Ball-kon

Frequently Used Words in Food and Drink in Turkey

The most common Turkish words you may want to use in the morning at breakfasts and restaurants.

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
Food	Yemek	Yemm-ek
Drink	İçecek	Icc-e-cek
I’m hungry	Açım	Acc-im
Meat	Et	Et
Vegetable	Sebze	Sebb-ze
Bread	Ekmek	Ekk-mek
Breakfast	Kahvaltı	Kahh-vall-ti
Dinner	Akşam Yemeği	Ak-samm yee-me-gii
Dessert	Tatlı	Tatt-li
Water	Su	Su
Beer	Bira	Bii-ra
Cola	Kola	Kol-a
Juice	Meyve Suyu	Meyy-ve Suu-yu
Black pepper	Karabiber	Ka-rra-bii-ber
Salt	Tuz	Tuzz
Sugar	Şeker	Sekk-er
Garlic	Sarımsak	Sarr-imm-sak
Onion	Soğan	Soo-gan
Fork	Çatal	Ca-tt-all
Spoon	Kaşık	Kass-ik
Knife	Bıçak	Bii-cak
Glass	Bardak	Barr-dak
Tea	Çay	Cayy
Coffee	Kahve	Kahh-ve
Turkish delight	Lokum	Lokk-um
Table	Masa	Ma-sa
Chair	Sandalye	Sann-dall-ye
Steak	Biftek	Biff-tek
Soup	Çorba	Coor-baa
Tip	Bahşiş	Bahh-sis
Waiter / waitress	Garson	Garr-soon
Well done	İyi pişmiş	Iyy piss-mis
Wine	Şarap	Sarr-ap
Yoghurt drink	Ayran	Ayy-ran
Serviette	Peçete	Pee-ce-te
Ice cream	Dondurma	Donn-durr-ma
Kebab	Kebap	Kee-bap
Cheese	Peynir	Peyy-nir
Regional	Yöresel	Yorr-ess-el

Frequently Used Words in Money Matters in Turkey

Turkish words that you may want to use in shopping, bank, and hotel in Turkey.

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
Money	Para	Paa-ra
Bank	Banka	Bann-ka
ATM	Bankamatik	Bann-ka-maa-tik
Cash money	Nakit Para	Naa-kit Pa-ra
Credit card	Kredi Kartı	Kree-di Karr-tı
Cheap	Ucuz	Uu-cuz
Discount	İndirim	Inn-di-rimm
Free	Bedava	Bee-da-va
Expensive	Pahalı	Paa-ha-li
High quality	Kaliteli	Kaa-lii-te-lii
Fake	Sahte	Sahh-te
Currency	Döviz	Dov-iz
Foreign exchange office	Döviz Bürosu	Dov-iz Bur-oo-su
Invoice	Fatura	Faa-tu-raa
Receipt	Makbuz	Makk-buzz
Deposit	Depozito	Dep-oo-zii-to

Frequently Used Words in Transportation in Turkey

Turkish words that you may want to use on the plane, bus, or train in Turkey.

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
Airport	Havalimanı	Ha-vaa-li-maa-ni
Bus	Otobüs	ott-o-buss
Train	Tren	Trr-een
Plane	Uçak	Ucc-ak
Car	Araba	Arr-a-baa
Ship / Boat	Gemi	Gee-mi
Taxi	Taksi	Takk-si
Ticket	Bilet	Bill-ett
Fee	Ücret	Ucc-ret
For rent	Kiralık	Kirr-aa-lik
Map	Harita	Harr-ii-ta
Ferry	Vapur	Vaa-pu-rr
Passenger	Yolcu	Yoll-cu
Motorway	Otoyol	Ott-oo-yol
Road	Yol	Yoll
Port	Liman	Lii-man
Quay	İskele	İss-kee-le
Station	İstasyon	Iss-tass-yon
Street	Sokak	Sokk-akk
District	İlçe	Ill-ce
City	Şehir	Sehh-ir
Speed	Hız	Hızz
Traffic	Trafik	Trr-aff-ik
Traffic penalty	Trafik cezası	Trr-aff-ik cezz-aa-si
Distance	Mesafe	Mee-sa-fee

Frequently Used Words in Touristic Places in Turkey

Frequently used Turkish words that you may need in tourist places in Turkey.

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
Castle	Kale	Kaa-le
Ancient	Antik	Ann-tik
City	Şehir	Sehh-ir
Museum	Müze	Mu-ze
Card	Kart	Ka-rrt
Church	Kilise	Ki-lii-se
Mosque	Cami	Ca-mi
Palace	Saray	Sarr-ay
Square	Meydan	Meyy-dan
Tower	Kule	Ku-le
Tourism	Turizm	Turr-iz-im
Tourist	Turist	Turr-ist
Turkish bath	Hamam	Hamm-am
Island	Ada	Aa-da
King	Kral	Krr-al

Cappadocia Pronunciation

Pronunciation Cappadocia is very common that wondered. It shouldn’t be too hard to pronounce the name of this magnificent place that receives millions of visitors every year, right?

Cappadocia pronunciation in English sounds like Ka-pa-dow-sha. But what about the locals?

How do Turks say Cappadocia? (Cappadocia pronunciation in Turkish)

Cappadocia Turkish pronunciation is Ka-pa-dok-ya. If it is too hard for you, just show the word either in English or Turkish. People probably will understand where do you mean it.

Frequently Used Words in Time Expressions in Turkey

Frequently used Turkish words that you may need in Time Expressions in Turkey.

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
Afternoon	Öğleden sonra	Ogg-le-den Sonn-ra
At the moment	Şu anda	Su ann-da
Early	Erken	Err-ken
Evening	Akşam	Ak-samm
Last week	Geçen hafta	Gecc-en Haff-ta
Late	Geç	Gecc
Later	Sonra	Sonn-ra
Morning	Sabah	Sa-bahh
Next week	Gelecek hafta	Gell-ee-cek haff-ta
Night	Gece	Ge-ce
Now	Şimdi	Simm-di
Soon	Yakında	Yaa-kınn-da
This evening	Bu akşam	Bu ak-samm
This morning	Bu sabah	Bu sa-bahh
Today	Bugün	Bu-gunn
Tomorrow	Yarın	Yarr-ın
Yesterday	Dün	Dun

Frequently Used Words in Case of Emergency in Turkey

Frequently used Turkish words that you may need in Case of Emergency in Turkey.

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
Help	Yardım	Yarr-dim
Police	Polis	Poll-is
Doctor	Doktor	Dok-torr
Hospital	Hastane	Hass-taa-ne
Ambulance	Ambulans	Amm-bu-la-nss
Dentist	Dişci	Diss-ci
Medication	İlaç	Ill-ac
Pain	Ağrı	Agg-ri
Pharmacy	Eczane	Ecc-zaa-ne
Stop!	Dur!	Durr
Fire!	Yangın	Yann-gin
Accident	Kaza	Kaa-za

Frequently Used Words for Thank you in Turkish

Thank you in Turkish has several versions that vary depending on the closeness between you and the person you are talking about.

Such as “TEŞEKKÜR EDERİM” tesh-hek-kuur e-de-riim is the most formal and common variation.

You can also prefer “SAĞ OL” and the pronunciation is saa-ool which means “be alive”. This version can be used if you know the people better.

Last but not least, there is a DUDE VERSION for THANK YOU in Turkish and it is “EYVALLAH”. You can say eyy-val-lah

Turkish Words – Colors

Turkish word equivalents of colors.

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
Black	Siyah	Sii-yah
Blue	Mavi	Ma-vi
Brown	Kahverengi	Kahh-vee-ren-gii
Green	Yeşil	Yess-il
Orange	Turuncu	Tu-run-cuu
Pink	Pembe	Pemm-be
Purple	Mor	Mor
Red	Kırmızı	Kırr-mı-zıı
White	Beyaz	Beyy-az
Yellow	Sarı	Sa-rı

Turkish Words – Numbers

Turkish word equivalents of numbers.

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
0	Sıfır	Siff-ir
1	Bir	Bii-r
2	İki	İki
3	Üç	Üçç
4	Dört	Dö-rtt
5	Beş	Beş
6	Altı	All-ti
7	Yedi	Yee-dii
8	Sekiz	Sekk-iz
9	Dokuz	Dokk-uz
10	On	On

Turkish Words – Days of the Week

Turkish word equivalents of the days.

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
Monday	Pazartesi	Paa-zarr-te-sii
Tuesday	Salı	Saa-li
Wednesday	Çarşamba	Carr-sam-ba
Thursday	Perşembe	Perr-sem-bee
Friday	Cuma	Cuu-ma
Saturday	Cumartesi	Cuu-marr-te-si
Sunday	Pazar	Pazz-ar

Turkish Words – Adjectives

Turkish word equivalents of adjectives.

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
a little	az	Az
a lot / very / too	çok	Cok
average / medium	orta	Orr-ta
bad	kötü	Ko-tu
big	büyük	Buu-yu-k
closed	kapalı	Kaa-pa-lii
cold	soğuk	So-guk
good	iyi	Iyi
hot	sıcak	Sıı-cakk
open	açık	Ac-ikk
quick	hızlı / çabuk	Hızz-li
slow	yavaş	Ya-vass
small	küçük	Kuu-cuk

Turkish Words – Directions

Turkish word equivalents of directions.

English	Turkish	Pronunciation
Broken	Bozuk	Boo-zuk
Down	Aşağı	Asaa-gi
Far	Uzak	Uzz-ak
Here	Burada	Bu-raa-da
Left	Sol	Sol
Near	Yakın	Yaa-kin
Right	Sağ	Sag
Straight on	Doğru	Do-gg-ru
There	Orada	Orr-aa-da
Up	Yukarı	Yuu-kaa-ri

You can do a lot of work with these words, but if you need other words and the person in front of you does not speak English, we recommend you to translate with google translate.

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Frequently Asking Questions About Learning Turkish Words

Here, you can find top questions and answers about learning Turkish language and frequently using words that can help you during your vacation!

How do you say thank you in Turkish?

Thank you is probably the most used word by tourists. The Turkish equivalent of thank you is “Teşekkür ederim”.

How do you say hello in Turkish?

Turks love to greet, they will be very happy if you reply in Turkish. The Turkish word for Hello is “Merhaba”.

Should I learn Turkish while traveling to Turkey?

There are a lot of people who speak English in popular tourist destinations in Turkey, but it would be good to know a few simple words.

Is Turkish a difficult language?

Turkish is more difficult than English, as it is an agglutinative language.

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