31 words and phrases to learn in Turk to travel

Are you going to Turkey? From the most local basics, here are 31 Turkish phrases and expressions to help you familiarize yourself with the language!

When traveling to Turkey, it is essential for you to know the b.a.ba of the language, from more local expressions to simple ones, which will allow you not to be too far apart during conversations. If your basics are to be revised before leaving, we advise you to learn some additional Turkish phrases, to give you a boost when you arrive.

With its alphabet of 29 letters, the Turkish language is appreciated for its richness but also fear for its complexity. If you're part of these careless students, no panic: there too, you're taught.

1. Basic expressions

- "Günaydın" / "İyi günler" Hello - « Merhaba » Hi. - İyi akşamlar Good evening. - "İyi geceler" Good night - "Görüşürüz" Goodbye - « Nasılsın, nasılsınız? » How are you? - "İyiyim" I'm fine. - « Ya sen? » / « Ya siz? » And you? - « Evet » / « hayır » Yes / No - « Belki » : Maybe - "Lütfen" : Please / Please - Teşekkür ederim Thank you. - "Memnuniyetle" You're welcome - « Benim ... adım » : My name is... - « Ben ... yaşındayım » : I’m... - "Üzgünüm" I'm sorry. - « Türkçe / İngilizce biliyor musunuz? » : Are you speaking English/Turkish? - Bana yardımcı olabilir misiniz? » : Can you help me? - « Anlamıyorum » I don't understand - "...nerede? » Where is...? - « Bunun fiatı ne ? » How much does it cost?

2. Iyi şanslar / Başarılar (iiyi chance lar / bacharilar)

These two expressions allow you to wish a person good luck and success. It can also be replaced by “Başarılar dilerim” which has the same meaning but with much more weight at the turn of a phrase or an important event.

3. Boşver (bochver)

In the literal sense, this expression means "giving empty." In other words, it could be translated by “leave to do” or “it’s not serious”.

Example : One of your friends is wounded by the attitude of one of his loved ones, an attitude that doesn’t deserve to be dealt with. You answer him “boşver” in the sense “don’t worry, don’t pay attention, it’s not important.”

4. Peki

That little word means a lot. It is used at the beginning or end of the sentence to revive a conversation. It is translated as “and well,” “good,” or “okay” but it is very often associated with a set of words. Also, if a person tells you "peki, peki", that means "okay, that's enough! "

5. Vay be

This expression is used as a wow. She means a strong admiration for something. If you are told "Cok güzelsin, vay be", that means "you are beautiful, wow". She is also part of the Turkish expressions to say "attention, it's no longer laughing".

6. Kıyamam

If you hear this word, it means that the person in front of you does not wish to hurt you. There is not really a literal translation for this word. He translates compassion and understanding.

Example : – “Mezun değilsin, kıyamam”: You haven’t graduated at the end of the year, I’m sincerely sorry.

7. Hayırlı olsun (Hayirli olsoune)

There is no literal translation for this expression in French since "Hayırlı olsun" is one of the Turkish phrases used to say "that it is beneficial to you".

Example : you buy your first apartment, a friend will answer "Hayırlı olsun".

8. Oruç tutmak (oroutch toutmaque)

You hear this Turkish expression if you travel to the country during Ramadan. Remember that this is an integral part of the Turkish religion. "Oruç tutmak" means "to fast." At the turn of a conversation, you will also hear about the evening prayer called Teravih Namazı.

9. Yani

This means "That is to say." It is one of the Turkish expressions considered as a tic of language as in us when we say at the turn of a phrase “of the stroke” or “this is”. The Turks use it very often, so don’t be surprised.

10. Buyurun

You will often hear it during your dinners at the restaurant or if you buy bread at the bakery. This expression means "I beg you" but it means "how can I help you? "

Example : You enter the restaurant, the server tells you "Merhaba, buyurun?" means "Hello, come in, how can I help you? "

11. Haydi

This expression is used by the Turks to encourage their loved ones but also tell them to hurry. It also has a different meaning, used in a different context. If the word is associated with “canım”, “Haydi canım”, it means that the interlocutor does not believe his eyes and that he insinuates “No, are you not serious? "

How to learn other expressions and vocabulary in Turk?

Before you go on a trip, it may be interesting for you to learn other Turkish phrases that return regularly to the detour of a conversation with locals. For this, I advise you to take a look at the works below:

- French-Turkish vocabulary for self-training - French-Turkish conversation guide - Talk Turkish on a trip