Ordering at a RestaurantRestoranda Sipariş Vermek
Murat orders a starter, a main course and a drink. The waiter warns him that the Adana kebab is spicy, and Murat says his friend will order later.
Speakers: Garson (the waiter), Murat (a customer)
The Dialogue
Read each Turkish line aloud, then check the English. Hide the translation to test yourself.
- Garson
Hoş geldiniz, ne arzu edersiniz?
Welcome. What would you like?
- Murat
Hoş bulduk. Başlangıç olarak bir mercimek çorbası alayım. Ana yemek olarak da Adana kebap istiyorum.
Thank you. As a starter I'll have a lentil soup, and for the main course I'd like the Adana kebab.
- Garson
Adana kebap acılıdır, efendim. İsterseniz acısız Urfa kebap da var.
The Adana kebab is spicy, sir. If you prefer, we also have the mild Urfa kebab.
- Murat
Yok, acılı olsun. Acıyı severim. Yanında da bir ayran alayım.
No, spicy is fine. I like spicy food. And I'll have an ayran with it.
- Garson
Peki efendim. Başka bir isteğiniz var mıydı?
Very good, sir. Will there be anything else?
- Murat
Arkadaşım birazdan geliyor. Onun siparişini sonra vereceğiz. Şimdilik bu kadar, teşekkürler.
My friend is coming shortly. We'll order for him later. That's all for now, thanks.
- Garson
Rica ederim. Çorbanız hemen geliyor.
You're welcome. Your soup is coming right up.
- Murat
Pardon, bir de su getirebilir misiniz?
Excuse me, could you also bring some water?
- Garson
Tabii, hemen getiriyorum.
Of course, I'll bring it right away.
Key Vocabulary
| Turkish | English |
|---|---|
| Ne arzu edersiniz? | What would you like? (formal) |
| başlangıç | starter, appetizer |
| mercimek çorbası | lentil soup |
| ana yemek | main course |
| acılı / acısız | spicy / mild |
| yanında | with it, on the side |
| ayran | salty yogurt drink |
| sipariş vermek | to order |
| birazdan | shortly, in a moment |
| şimdilik | for now |
Grammar & Culture Notes
Culture
Adana or Urfa?
Both are minced-meat kebabs grilled on wide skewers. Adana kebap is spicy with red pepper; Urfa kebap is the same style without the heat. They usually come with flatbread, grilled tomatoes and peppers — and ayran is the classic drink with them.
Grammar
Ordering with alayım and olsun
Bir çorba alayım (I'll have a soup) and acılı olsun (make it spicy, lit. let it be spicy) are the most natural ways to order. Olsun is the third-person 'let it be' form of olmak.
Grammar
Present continuous for the near future
Arkadaşım birazdan geliyor (my friend is coming shortly) and Çorbanız hemen geliyor use the present continuous for something about to happen — just like English 'is coming'.
Check Your Understanding
1. Murat başlangıç olarak ne istiyor?
What does Murat order as a starter?
Show answer
Mercimek çorbası.
Lentil soup.
2. Murat kebabı acılı mı istiyor, acısız mı?
Does Murat want his kebab spicy or mild?
Show answer
Acılı istiyor; acıyı seviyor.
Spicy — he likes spicy food.
3. Arkadaşının siparişini neden sonra verecekler?
Why will they order for his friend later?
Show answer
Çünkü arkadaşı henüz gelmedi.
Because his friend hasn't arrived yet.