Learn Basic Turkish Phrases

If you’re planning your first trip to Turkey, there’s no way you’re going to be able to master the language before you go, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make the effort to learn a few essential Turkish words and phrases to ingratiate yourself with the locals.

Before my first trip to Turkey, I downloaded some Pimsleur language lessons onto my ipod, and religiously chanted Turkish words and phrases during my daily gym workouts.  But my memory isn’t what it used to be, and most of my hard work got lost in transit during the plane ride to my holiday destination.

By the time I stepped foot on Turkish soil only a few key words lingered, but luckily I did manage to retain the absolute basics, and these 6 made my list:

My Top 6 Key Essential Turkish words and phrases

1. Merhaba (Mer-ha-ba) – Hello
2. Lütfen (Loot-fehn) – Please
3. Teşekkür ederim (Tesh-ek-kewr-eh-dehr-eem) Thank you
4. Evet (Eh-vet) – Yes 
5. Hayır (H’eye-uhr) – No
6. Anlamıyorum (An-la-muh-yo-ruhm) I don’t understand 

Red and I rolled out these stock phrases at the most appropriate moments, and made a game of learning at least one new word a day to use at every opportunity.

New word a day

On the first day we stopped off at a local bakkal to buy some Su (soo – water), but also noticed a sign for Ekmek (Ek-mek – Bread), and liked how that rolled off the tongue, so these were both instantly added to our vocabulary.

I hadn’t anticipated how useful “ekmek” would be.  But after a few days eating out at restaurants, I soon realized that no meal is complete without baskets full of it.  Whereas a trip to Greece entails continual servings of pita, in Turkey you receive an endless supply of pillow soft bread.

This endless supply, meant we had to tag one of the basics onto our new word to staunch the flow. “Ekmek Hayır” became the new buzz phrase as every mean, and tripped off the lips quicker than you could say çizgili sincap (chipmunk).

During our first trip, I was a frequent visitor to the citrus juicing vendor across from our hotel, so another of my stock favourites became portakal suyu (por-ta-kal soo-yoo – orange juice).  The abundance of citrus groves on the peninsula, make freshly squeezed fruit juice a healthy and inexpensive option.

I seems that I’m not alone with my acquisition of drink-themed words.  In my recent interview with Jack of Perking the Pansy fame, he admits that his most used Turkish words are şarap (sh-rahp – wine) and şerefe (sh-re-fe – cheers).  Also, Bira lütfen, (Bee-ra Lewt-fen – Beer please), is #5 on Top 10 Turkey’s list of phrases to learn.

If you’re traveling to Turkey, my recommendation is that you learn the basics before your travel, and then pick up random sustenance-related words whilst your there.  

Another useful tool, is to familiarize yourself with the pronunciation of the Turkish alphabet.
 

© Feature Photo Source

© Bread Basket Photo Source

© Chipmunk Photo Source