This list will make your job easier in Istanbul!
Sg = singular; Pl = plural; frm = formal; inf = informa
Welcome | Hoş geldin (sg) Hoş geldiniz (pl/frm) | Hosh geldin Hosh geldinizz | -o as in top -g as in get -o as in top -g as in get |
Hello | Merhaba, | Mairhubba | -air as in hair |
How are you? | Nasılsınız? (frm) | NAHS-suhl-suh-nuhz | |
I’m fine, thanks. And you? | İyiyim teşekkür ederim, siz nasılsınız (frm) İyiyim sağol, sen nasılsın (inf ) | ee-yeem teshek-kur edderrim Seez nussilssiniz ee-yeem saa-o | -ee as in meet -e as in get -u as in French Vu -err as in merry -ee as in meet -aa as in father -g is silent -ol as in olive |
What’s your name? | Adın ne? (inf) | Udden ne | -e as in get |
My name is… | Adım | Uddem | -e as in the |
Where are you from? | Nerelisin? | (inf) Nerrelisseen | -err as in merry |
Pleased to meet you | Tanıştıǧımıza memnun oldum / Memnun oldum | Tuneshte-emezzaa memnoon oldoom Memnoon oldoom | -e as in the -g as in silent -ol as in olive -ol as in olive |
Good morning | Günaydın | Guni-denn | -u as in Fr. Vu -I as in high -e as in the |
Good afternoon | Tünaydın, İyi günler | Tuni-denn ee-yee gunlair | -u as in Fr. Vu -I as in high -ee as in meet -air as in hair |
Good evening | İyi akşamlar | ee-yee uckshumlaar | -u as in luck |
Good night | İyi geceler | ee-yee gejjelair | -g as in get -j as in jack -air as in hair |
Goodbye | Allaha ısmarladık | Ulla-haa essmaar luddek | -u as in cup |
Good luck | İyi şanslar | ee-yee shunsslaar | -u as in cup |
Yes | Evet | Evvett | |
No | hayır | Hi-yur | I as in high Ur as in fur |
Please | Lütfen | Lutfen | -u as in fr. Vu |
Have a nice day | İyi günler! | ee- yee gunlair | -g as in get -u as in fr. Vu -air as in hair |
I don’t understand | Anlamıyorum / Anlamadım | Unlumme-yawroom Unlummedem | -u as in cup -u as in cup |
Please speak more slowly | Lütfen daha yavaş konuşun | Luften daa-haa yuvvush konnooshoon | -u as in Fr. Vu -u as in cup -o as in top |
Please write it down for me | Lütfen yazınız | Luften yezzenez | -u as in Fr. Vu |
How much/many? | Kaç/ kaç tane? | Kutch Kutch taane | -u as in cup |
Sorry | Özür dilerim (frm), Pardon (inf) | Ozur deelerrim paardonn | -o as in Fr. Peu -u as in Fr. Vu -err as in merry |
Thanks | Teşekkürler. Sağ ol. Mersi. | Teşekkürler. Sağ ol. Mersi. | -u as in French Vu -g is silent -air as in hair |
Where’s the toilet? | Tuvalet nerede? | Toovullett nerrede | u as in cup -err as in merry -e as in get |
How do you say … in Turkish? | Türkçe’de … nasıl denir? | Turktchede nussil deneer | -u as in Fr. Vu -tch as in church -e as in get -u as in cup |
Help! Fire! Stop! | İmdat! Yangın! Dur! | Eemdaat Yung-gen Door | -u as in cup -g as in get -e as in the -oo as in poor |
Call the police! | Polis çağırın! | Poleess chaaren | -o as in olive -ch as in church -aa as in father -e as in the |
Receipt | fiş | Feesh | |
Please can I have a receipt | Lütfen mabuz alabilir miyim? | Lutfen muckbooz ullubileer mee-yim | -u as in French Vu -u as in cup -ee as in street |