Planning a trip to Turkey? Learning a few basic Turkish phrases can go a long way. Even if locals speak English, showing that you’re trying to speak their language is always appreciated. Plus, it helps you feel a bit more grounded when navigating taxis, shops or restaurants.

You don’t need to become fluent. Just knowing a few words for greetings, directions, shopping and halal food can make your trip smoother. This is especially useful for travellers visiting Turkey who want to feel comfortable ordering food, getting around, or asking simple questions politely.

Common greetings in Turkish

These will be your go-to phrases for everyday encounters.

• Hello: Merhaba (MEHR-hah-bah)
• Good morning: Günaydın (GOON-eye-duhn)
• Good evening: İyi akşamlar (EE-yee ak-sham-LAHR)
• Goodbye: Güle güle (GOO-leh GOO-leh)
• Thank you: Teşekkür ederim (teh-shehk-KOOR eh-deh-REEM)
• You're welcome: Rica ederim (ree-JAH eh-deh-REEM)
• Please: Lütfen (LOOT-fen)
• Yes: Evet (EH-vet)
• No: Hayır (HAI-uhr)
• Peace be upon you: Selamun aleykum (seh-LAH-moon ah-leh-YKOOM)
• And peace be upon you too: Ve aleykum selam (veh ah-leh-YKOOM seh-LAHM)

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Useful words when eating out

Restaurants and cafes across Turkey are often halal-friendly, but it's still helpful to know these:

• Is this halal?: Bu helal mi? (boo heh-LAHL mee)
• I don't eat pork: Domuz yemiyorum (DOH-mooz yeh-mee-YOHR-oom)
• Water: Su (soo)
• Tea: Çay (chai)
• Coffee: Kahve (KAH-veh)
• Bill, please: Hesap lütfen (heh-SAHB LOOT-fen)
• Delicious: Çok lezzetli (chok LEZ-zet-lee)
• Menu: Menü (meh-NEW)
• Chicken: Tavuk (tah-VOOK)
• Beef: Dana eti (DAH-nah eh-TEE)
• Vegetarian: Vejetaryen (veh-zheh-TAR-yen)
• I’m allergic to... : ...'ya alergim var (e.g. Süte alergim var = I'm allergic to milk)

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Directions and transport

Navigating the streets, asking for a taxi, or understanding signs is much easier with these phrases:

• Where is the toilet?: Tuvalet nerede? (too-vah-LET NEH-reh-deh)
• How much is the fare?: Ücret ne kadar? (OOCH-ret neh kah-DAR)
• Left: Sol (sohl)
• Right: Sağ (sah)
• Straight: Dümdüz (DOOM-dooz)S
• top here, please: Burada dur lütfen (boo-RAH-dah door LOOT-fen)
• Taxi: Taksi (TAHK-see)
• Bus: Otobüs (oh-toh-BOOS)
• Train station: Tren istasyonu (treehn eess-TAH-syoo-noo)
• Airport: Havalimanı (HAH-vah-lee-mah-nuh)

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Shopping and payments

Especially useful in bazaars or markets where bargaining is common.

• How much is this?: Bu ne kadar? (boo neh kah-DAR)
• Too expensive: Çok pahalı (chok pah-HAH-luh)
• Can you give a discount?: İndirim yapar mısın? (in-dee-REEM yah-PAR muh-suhn)
• I am just looking: Sadece bakıyorum (SAH-deh-jeh bah-kih-YOHR-oom)
• Cash: Nakit (nah-KEET)
• Credit card: Kredi kartı (KREH-dee KAR-tuh)
• Receipt: Fatura (fah-TOO-rah)
• Emergency or polite phrases – H2
• In case something unexpected comes up or you want to be extra polite:
• I need help: Yardım lazım (YAHR-duhm lah-ZUHM)
• I don’t understand: Anlamıyorum (AHN-lah-muh-YOHR-oom)
• Do you speak English?: İngilizce biliyor musunuz? (een-GEEL-eess-jeh bee-lee-YOHR moo-soo-nooz?)
• Excuse me / sorry: Afedersiniz (ah-feh-DEHR-see-neez)
• No problem: Sorun değil (SOH-roon deh-YEEL)

Bonus words and phrases you might hear

• Welcome: Hoşgeldiniz (hosh-GEL-dee-neez)
• Enjoy your meal: Afiyet olsun (AH-fee-YET ol-SOON)
• Bon voyage / Have a good trip: İyi yolculuklar (EE-yee yohl-joo-LOOK-lahr)
• See you later: Görüşürüz (goe-roo-SHOO-rooz)
• Beautiful: Güzel (goo-ZEHL)Mosque: Camii (jah-MEE)

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FAQs: Turkish for travellers

Do I need to speak Turkish to travel in Turkey?

No. English is common in tourist areas, but knowing a few basic phrases is useful and respectful. Locals often go out of their way to help travellers, especially if they try to speak a bit of Turkish.

Will locals understand my pronunciation?

Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, they’ll usually understand. Turks are generally warm and appreciate the effort.

Is it okay to ask if something is halal?

Yes. While most food is halal by default, especially in local eateries, it’s okay to ask: "Bu helal mi?"

Should I learn Turkish numbers?

It helps for shopping, taxis or bargaining. You don’t need to memorise all, but 1 to 10 is a good start: bir (1), iki (2), üc (3), dört (4), beş (5), altı (6), yedi (7), sekiz (8), dokuz (9), on (10).

What should I say when entering or leaving a mosque?

You don’t need to say anything specific, but a soft "Selamun aleykum" is common and respectful.

Planning a trip to Turkey and want to feel prepared?

We don’t just book your hotels and tours. At Fayyaz Travels, we make sure you know what to expect. From handy Turkish phrases to halal-friendly itineraries, we’ve got you covered.