Asking for DirectionsYol Tarifi Sorma
A tourist in Istanbul asks a local how to get to Hagia Sophia. The local gives simple directions and mentions Topkapı Palace nearby.
Speakers: Turist (a tourist), Vatandaş (a local resident)
The Dialogue
Read each Turkish line aloud, then check the English. Hide the translation to test yourself.
- Turist
Affedersiniz, Ayasofya nerede?
Excuse me, where is Hagia Sophia?
- Vatandaş
Ayasofya mı? Buradan düz gidin.
Hagia Sophia? Go straight ahead from here.
- Turist
Düz mü?
Straight ahead?
- Vatandaş
Evet. Tramvay durağından sağa dönün. Ayasofya orada, sol tarafta.
Yes. Turn right at the tram stop. Hagia Sophia is there, on the left.
- Turist
Çok uzak mı?
Is it very far?
- Vatandaş
Hayır, uzak değil. Yaklaşık on dakika.
No, it isn't far. About ten minutes.
- Turist
Topkapı Sarayı da orada mı?
Is Topkapı Palace there too?
- Vatandaş
Evet, Topkapı Sarayı Ayasofya'nın arkasında.
Yes, Topkapı Palace is behind Hagia Sophia.
- Turist
Çok teşekkür ederim.
Thank you very much.
- Vatandaş
Rica ederim. İyi gezmeler!
You're welcome. Enjoy your sightseeing!
Key Vocabulary
| Turkish | English |
|---|---|
| Affedersiniz | Excuse me |
| nerede | where |
| buradan | from here |
| düz gidin | go straight ahead |
| sağa / sola dönün | turn right / left |
| tramvay durağı | tram stop |
| uzak / yakın | far / near |
| arkasında | behind (it) |
| Rica ederim. | You're welcome. |
| İyi gezmeler! | Enjoy your sightseeing! |
Grammar & Culture Notes
Grammar
Polite imperative -(y)In
Gidin (go) and dönün (turn) are polite imperatives: verb stem + -in/-ın/-un/-ün. To a friend you would use the bare stem: git, dön. Directions in Turkish are almost always given this way.
Grammar
From, at and to
Notice the case endings: buradan (from here, ablative -dan), orada (there, locative -da), sağa (to the right, dative -a). Durak becomes durağı in tramvay durağı because k softens to ğ between vowels.
Culture
Stopping someone in the street
Start with Affedersiniz (excuse me) to get someone's attention. People in Turkey are usually happy to give directions — and some will even walk part of the way with you.
Check Your Understanding
1. Turist nereye gitmek istiyor?
Where does the tourist want to go?
Show answer
Ayasofya'ya.
To Hagia Sophia.
2. Turist nereden sağa dönüyor?
Where does the tourist turn right?
Show answer
Tramvay durağından.
At the tram stop.
3. Topkapı Sarayı nerede?
Where is Topkapı Palace?
Show answer
Ayasofya'nın arkasında.
Behind Hagia Sophia.