The Ritual of the Meal: Afiyet Olsun and Elinize Sağlık
Whether it's a tense mafia dinner or a happy family breakfast, the Turkish meal is a sacred social space. It begins and ends with two specific phrases.
Beginning the Meal
"Afiyet olsun" is the Turkish equivalent of Bon appétit, but it can be said before, during, or even after a meal. It literally means "May it be health/well-being for you."
Ending the Meal
The most important phrase for any guest is "Elinize sağlık" (Health to your hands). This is said to the person who prepared the food. It is more than just "thank you"; it is a blessing for the person's physical health so they can continue to provide for the family.
In dramas, the dinner table is where the most significant dialogue happens. Watch how the matriarch of the family glows when the children say Elinize sağlık—it is the ultimate sign of a harmonious home.
Ready to put this into practice?
Start your daily streaks, track your progress, or test your level with FluenTurk's free tools.
Related Guides
The US Foreign Service Institute ranks Turkish as a Category III language. But is it really that difficult? Discover why Turkish is surprisingly logical and easy to learn once you know the secret.
Turkish is perfectly phonetic. Learn the 29 letters of the Turkish alphabet, including the tricky ones like Ç, Ş, and the silent Ğ, to achieve perfect pronunciation from day one.