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Türkiye · Turkish Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

  1. 1
    Merhaba
    Hello (all-purpose greeting) “MEHR-hah-bah”
  2. 2
    Teşekkürler
    Thank you “teh-shek-kyoor-LEHR”
  3. 3
    Lütfen
    Please “LYOOT-fen”
  4. 4
    Affedersiniz
    Excuse me (to get attention, polite) “ahf-feh-DEHR-see-neez”
  5. 5
    Pardon
    Sorry / Coming through “PAR-don”
  6. 6
    Günaydın
    Good morning “gyoo-nai-DUHN”
  7. 7
    Hoşça kalın
    Goodbye (said by the one leaving) “HOSH-chah kah-LUHN”
  8. 8
    Görüşürüz
    See you “gyoo-ryoo-SHYOO-rooz”
Local etiquette
  • Turkey has a strong culture of hospitality (misafirperverlik). If a shop or host offers you çay (tea), it's a genuine gesture — accept if you can. To truly decline, do so politely with a smile.
  • Use your right hand for handing things over, handshakes, and eating. The left hand is traditionally considered unclean.
  • Elders are respected: a traditional greeting kisses their hand and touches it to the forehead. Giving up your seat to the elderly or pregnant on public transport is expected.

Basics

  1. 1
    Evet / Hayır
    Yes / No “eh-VET / HAH-yuhr”
  2. 2
    Anlamıyorum
    I don't understand “ahn-lah-MUH-yoh-room”
  3. 3
    Türkçe bilmiyorum
    I don't speak Turkish “TYURK-cheh beel-MEE-yoh-room”
  4. 4
    İngilizce biliyor musunuz?
    Do you speak English? “een-gee-LEEZ-jeh bee-lee-YOR moo-soo-nooz?”
  5. 5
    Yavaş konuşun lütfen
    Please speak slowly “yah-VAHSH koh-NOO-shoon LYOOT-fen”
  6. 6
    Tuvalet nerede?
    Where is the toilet? “too-vah-LET NEH-reh-deh?”
  7. 7
    Bilmiyorum
    I don't know “beel-MEE-yoh-room”
  8. 8
    Fotoğraf çekebilir miyim?
    May I take a photo? “foh-toh-RAHF cheh-keh-bee-LEER mee-yeem?”
Local etiquette
  • This is a Muslim country, so you'll hear the call to prayer (ezan) five times a day. Take care not to walk in front of someone who is praying.
  • Ask before photographing people, especially women. Photographing military or police facilities is prohibited.

Shopping

  1. 1
    Bu ne kadar?
    How much is this? “boo neh kah-DAR?”
  2. 2
    Çok pahalı
    It's too expensive (opens bargaining) “chok pah-hah-LUH”
  3. 3
    İndirim var mı?
    Is there a discount? “een-dee-REEM var muh?”
  4. 4
    Kartla ödeyebilir miyim?
    Can I pay by card? “KART-lah uh-deh-yeh-bee-LEER mee-yeem?”
  5. 5
    Bunu istiyorum
    I'd like this one “boo-NOO ees-TEE-yoh-room”
  6. 6
    Sadece bakıyorum
    I'm just looking “sah-deh-JEH bah-KUH-yoh-room”
  7. 7
    Poşet alabilir miyim?
    May I have a bag? (usually charged) “poh-SHET ah-lah-bee-LEER mee-yeem?”
Local etiquette
  • Bargaining is essential in markets like the Grand Bazaar. Start around half the asking price, haggle with a smile, and don't bargain unless you intend to buy.
  • You'll often be offered çay while bargaining — that's customary, and accepting the tea doesn't obligate you to buy, so don't feel pressured.
  • Private exchange offices (döviz) often give better rates than banks; beware of overcharging at tourist-area stalls.

Restaurant

  1. 1
    Menü, lütfen
    The menu, please “meh-NYU, LYOOT-fen”
  2. 2
    Ne tavsiye edersiniz?
    What do you recommend? “neh tav-SEE-yeh eh-DEHR-see-neez?”
  3. 3
    Bir çay, lütfen
    A çay (black tea), please “beer chai, LYOOT-fen”
  4. 4
    Su, lütfen
    Water, please “soo, LYOOT-fen”
  5. 5
    Alerjim var
    I have an allergy “ah-LEHR-jeem var”
  6. 6
    Etsiz var mı?
    Do you have a meat-free option? (vegetarian) “et-SEEZ var muh?”
  7. 7
    Hesap, lütfen
    The bill, please “heh-SAHP, LYOOT-fen”
  8. 8
    Çok lezzetliydi
    It was delicious “chok lez-zet-lee-YEE-dee”
Local etiquette
  • Tip around 5–10%. When paying by card, it's best to leave a little cash on the table.
  • Çay is served everywhere — after meals, during bargaining, and in conversation — in a tulip-shaped glass with sugar cubes.
  • Bread (ekmek) is treated as sacred and shouldn't be wasted or put on the floor. During Ramadan, it's considerate to avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight.

Getting around

  1. 1
    Durak nerede?
    Where is the (bus/tram) stop? “doo-RAHK NEH-reh-deh?”
  2. 2
    İstanbulkart nereden alabilirim?
    Where can I buy an İstanbulkart (transit card)? “ees-tahn-BOOL-kart NEH-reh-den ah-lah-bee-LEE-reem?”
  3. 3
    Bu ...'a gidiyor mu?
    Does this go to...? “boo ...-ah gee-DEE-yor moo?”
  4. 4
    Bu adrese, lütfen
    To this address, please (taxi) “boo ahd-reh-SEH, LYOOT-fen”
  5. 5
    Taksimetreyi açar mısınız?
    Could you turn on the meter? (taxi) “tahk-see-MET-reh-yee ah-CHAR muh-suh-nuhz?”
  6. 6
    Otogar nerede?
    Where is the intercity bus terminal? “OH-toh-gar NEH-reh-deh?”
  7. 7
    Kayboldum
    I'm lost “kai-BOL-doom”
Local etiquette
  • In Istanbul, a single İstanbulkart covers the metro, tram, bus, and ferries. Buy and top it up at stations or kiosks.
  • For taxis, always check that the meter (taksimetre) is on; apps (BiTaksi, iTaksi) help avoid overcharging.
  • For intercity travel, overnight buses (otobüs) are cheap and comfortable, with staff serving water and snacks.

Hotel

  1. 1
    Rezervasyonum var
    I have a reservation “reh-zehr-vahs-yoh-NOOM var”
  2. 2
    Check-in yapabilir miyim?
    Can I check in? “check-in yah-pah-bee-LEER mee-yeem?”
  3. 3
    Check-out saat kaçta?
    What time is check-out? “check-out sah-AHT kach-TAH?”
  4. 4
    Wi-Fi şifresi nedir?
    What's the Wi-Fi password? “wai-fai sheef-reh-SEE NEH-deer?”
  5. 5
    Valizimi bırakabilir miyim?
    Can I leave my luggage? “vah-lee-zee-MEE buh-rah-kah-bee-LEER mee-yeem?”
Local etiquette
  • To visit a mosque, remove your shoes; women need a scarf to cover their hair (usually lent at the entrance), and everyone should cover shoulders and knees.
  • A passport is required at check-in, and in some areas older plumbing means you'll be asked not to flush toilet paper.

Emergency

  1. 1
    İmdat!
    Help! “eem-DAHT!”
  2. 2
    Polis çağırın
    Call the police “poh-LEES chah-uh-RUHN”
  3. 3
    Ambulans çağırın
    Call an ambulance “am-boo-LAHNS chah-uh-RUHN”
  4. 4
    Hastane nerede?
    Where is a hospital? “hahs-tah-NEH NEH-reh-deh?”
  5. 5
    Pasaportumu kaybettim
    I lost my passport “pah-sah-por-too-MOO kai-BET-teem”
  6. 6
    Yardıma ihtiyacım var
    I need help “yar-duh-MAH eeh-tee-yah-JUHM var”
Local etiquette
  • The unified emergency number is 112 (police, ambulance, and fire combined).
  • Pharmacies (eczane) are marked with a red 'E'; a rotating on-duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane) stays open nights and holidays.