Turkish Language Basics
If you're only coming to Turkey for a couple of weeks, there's no way you're going to master the Turkish language. But you don't have to worry. All of the businesses, sights and tourist activities in the local Bodrum area are owned or operated by people who have a great command of the English language, and other popular European languages are also spoken in some locations.
Once you get off the beaten path, you'll encounter restaurants and shops where the owners don't have a brilliant grasp of English, but with a few words in Turkish, sign language and pointing, and maybe even a few quick drawings .. you can easily be understood.
Whilst it is alright to arrive in Bodrum without a word of Turkish ... a few words will go very far, and we'd highly encourage to you master a few basic words to add to your local enjoyment
Language Basics in Turkey
- Official language spoken in Bodrum is Turkish.
- English and German are two of the most widely spoken foreign languages spoken locally
- You can pick up a variety of books, dictionaries, language guides or audio courses to learn Turkish
- Attempting to speak couple of words in Turkish is more than appreciated
Some useful words and phrases
Here's a selection of basic greetings, questions and some key words you'll probably use most frequently:
English | Turkish | Pronunciation |
Hello | Merhaba | mare-hah-bah |
Good Morning | Günaydin (said on meeting) | goon-eye-din |
Good Day | iyi günler (said on meeting or parting) | ee-yee goo -n-ler |
Good evening | iyi aksamlar (said on meeting or parting) | ee-yee ak-sham-lar |
Good night | iyi geceler (said on meeting or parting) | ee-yee gedge -e-ler |
Please | Lutfen | lute-fen |
Thanks | Tesekkürler | tesh-e-kiir- ler |
Yes | Evet | e-vet |
No | Hayir | higher |
I want | istiyorum | ist-ee-your-um |
When? | Ne zaman? | nay za-man |
Today | Bugün | boo-goon |
Tomorrow | Yarin | yah-run |
Where? | Nerede | ne're-de |
My name is...... | ismim...... | is-mim |
Water | su | sue |
Milk | slit | suit |
Beer | bira | beer-a |
Wine | Sarap | shar-ap |
Tea | cay | ch-eye |
Coffee | kahve | car-vay |
Food | yemek | ye-meck |
Be careful! | Dikkat! |
Numbers
English |
Turkish |
Pronunciation |
1 |
birr |
beer |
2 |
icy |
icky |
3 |
üç |
ouch |
4 |
dört |
dirt |
5 |
bes |
besh |
6 |
alti |
al-ter |
7 |
yedi |
yea-dee |
8 |
sekiz |
seck-is |
9 |
dokuz |
dock-uz |
10 |
on |
on |
Days of the Week
English |
Turkish |
Monday |
Pazartesi |
Tuesday |
Sali |
Wednesday |
Carsamba |
Thursday |
Persembe |
Friday |
Cuma |
Saturday |
Cumartesi |
Sunday |
Pazar |