Want to learn Turkish? Why don't we start with Turkish greetings?
In Turkish, there are a bunch of ways to greet, meet, and say goodbye. From formal to casual expressions, you can adjust your greetings depending on the context, whether you're meeting someone for the first time, catching up with a friend, or saying goodbye.
I am a native Turkish speaker, and in this blog post, I will teach you the most commonly used Turkish greetings in everyday life!
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Table of Contents
Common Turkish Greetings
Merhaba! (Hello!)
Merhaba is the go-to greeting in Turkey, and it’s used when meeting people one-on-one or in groups, making it a perfect choice for almost any occasion!
Selamün Aleyküm (Peace be upon you)
A traditional and religious greeting with deep cultural significance in Turkey, often used in Muslim communities.
Response: Aleyküm Selam (And peace be upon you too).
This greeting is respectful and often exchanged between people who share religious or cultural ties.
Selam (Hi!)
A casual, informal version of Selamün Aleyküm. It's perfect for friends or in relaxed settings where formality isn’t necessary. It’s like saying “Hey” in English—quick and friendly!
Time-Related Turkish Greetings
Günaydın! (Good morning!)
A cheerful greeting to start the day! Gün means "day," and aydın means "bright," so it’s like wishing someone a bright, sunny day ahead.
Tünaydın! (Good afternoon!)
A greeting used in the afternoon hours. It’s formal but commonly used, especially if you’re meeting someone after noon but before the evening.
İyi Günler! (Good day!)
A versatile and polite greeting that works any time before evening. It’s perfect for wishing someone a nice day when you see them during the day.
İyi Akşamlar! (Good evening!)
This is used for greetings or farewells in the evening. It's polite and appropriate when the day is winding down.
İyi Geceler! (Good night!)
This is a nighttime farewell, typically used when parting ways at the end of the night or just before heading to bed.
Hayırlı Akşamlar! (Good evening!)
A more formal or respectful version of İyi Akşamlar. It carries a wish for a blessed evening, often used in more polite or formal contexts.
Small Talk in Turkish
Nasılsın? (How are you?)
This is the standard way to check on someone's well-being. It's widely used among friends, peers, and family members.
Response: İyiyim (I’m good). This is the typical answer, but you can also add çok (very) to emphasize how well you’re feeling, e.g., Çok iyiyim! (I’m very good!).
Nasılsınız? (How are you?)
This is the formal version of nasılsın, used when addressing a group of people or when talking to someone older or in a position of authority. It shows respect and politeness.
Response: İyiyim, teşekkür ederim (I’m good, thank you).
Ne Var Ne Yok? (What’s up?)
This casual greeting is used to ask what someone is up to, or how their day is going. It’s a friendly way to show interest in someone’s life.
Response: Bir şey yok (Nothing much) or İyi, sen nasılsın? (I’m good, how about you?).
Naber? (What’s up?)
A more informal version, typically used between close friends or people of the same age. Naber is a shortened form of Ne haber? (What news?), and it reflects a more laid-back, conversational style.
Response: İyi, sen? (Good, and you?) or Hadi bakalım (Alright then), if you want to keep it casual.
Ne yapıyorsun? (What are you doing?)
This is a more specific way to ask what someone is currently doing. It can be used to initiate conversation or show interest in someone’s activities.
Response: Çalışıyorum (I’m working), Ders çalışıyorum (I’m studying), or Hiçbir şey yapmıyorum (I’m doing nothing).
Bugün nasılsın? (How are you today?)
This is a great way to ask how someone is feeling on a particular day. It’s a little more specific and shows you care about how they’re doing at the moment.
Response: Bugün çok iyiyim! (I’m very good today!) or Bugün pek iyi değilim (I’m not so good today).
How To Say Goodbye in Turkish?
Görüşürüz! (See you!)
Literal meaning: "We’ll see each other again."
This is an informal and friendly way to say goodbye when you expect to meet the person again soon.
Görüşmek Üzere! (See you again!)
A more formal version of görüşürüz. It’s polite and suitable for situations where you want to sound respectful but still casual.
Allaha Ismarladık! (Goodbye!)
Used by the person leaving. The literal translation is "May God protect you." It’s a traditional and somewhat formal farewell, often used in rural areas or by older generations.
Hoşça Kal / Hoşça Kalın! (Goodbye!)
Meaning "Stay well" or "Keep well." Hoşça kal is used when you are leaving someone’s home or an event, while hoşça kalın is the plural form, used when speaking to a group.
Güle Güle! (Goodbye!)
This is used when you are staying and the other person is leaving. It translates to "Go with a smile," wishing the person well as they leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you greet someone in Turkish?
You can greet someone by saying "Merhaba!" (Hello!) for most situations. If you want to be more casual, you can say "Selam!" (Hi!).
2. Is it Merhaba or Selam?
Both are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Merhaba" is more formal and used in most situations, while "Selam" is more casual and often used among friends.
3. How do you say basic Turkish words?
To say basic words in Turkish, you can start with:
- Evet (Yes)
- Hayır (No)
- Lütfen (Please)
- Teşekkür ederim (Thank you)
- Günaydın (Good morning)
- Hoşça kal (Goodbye).
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