Turkish Greetings & Polite Phrases: Sound Like a Local

The Heart of Turkish Culture

In Turkey, politeness isn't just about saying "please" and "thank you." It is an intricate web of phrases tailored to specific situations. Using the right phrase at the right time shows deep respect for the culture and will instantly win over the locals.

The Everyday Greetings

Start your interactions on the right foot with these common greetings:

Merhaba: (Hello) - The most versatile greeting. Safe to use with anyone, anytime.
Selam: (Hi / Peace) - Informal. Use this with friends or people your own age.
Günaydın: (Good morning) - Used until about 11 AM.
İyi günler: (Good day) - Used when entering a shop or leaving someone during the day.
İyi akşamlar: (Good evening) - Used in the evening, both as a greeting and a farewell.
İyi geceler: (Good night) - Only as a farewell, late in the evening or before bed.
Nasılsınız? / Nasılsın? (How are you? formal / informal) - The usual answer is İyiyim, teşekkür ederim. Siz nasılsınız? (I'm fine, thank you. And you?)

The Magic Phrase: "Kolay Gelsin"

Kolay Gelsin

Literal Translation: "May it come easy."

If there is one phrase you learn from this guide, make it this one. You say this to anyone who is working. Say it to the cashier scanning your groceries, the taxi driver navigating traffic, or the cleaner sweeping the street. It is an acknowledgment of their hard work and is deeply appreciated.

Saying Thank You

There are multiple ways to express gratitude depending on the formality of the situation:

Teşekkür ederim: (I thank you) - The standard, polite way to say thank you.
Sağ ol: (Stay healthy / Thanks) - More casual. Often used between friends or in quick transactions.
Elinize sağlık: (Health to your hands) - Use this specifically to thank someone who has cooked for you or made something by hand for you.

Welcoming and Arriving

Turkish hospitality is legendary. When you arrive at a home, a shop, or a restaurant, you will inevitably hear:

Hoş geldiniz: (Welcome) - You will hear this constantly.

And the proper, required response is:

Hoş bulduk: (literally "we found it pleasant") - Rather than "thank you", reply to hoş geldiniz with hoş bulduk. You use the "we" form even if you arrive alone.

Saying Goodbye

Even leaving is a two-part dance in Turkish:

Hoşça kal: (Stay pleasantly) - Said by the person who is leaving.
Güle güle: (Go smilingly) - Said by the person who is staying behind.
Görüşürüz: (See you) - Friendly and very common; görüşmek üzere is a slightly more formal "until we meet again".
Hoşça kalın / Hoşça kal: Use kalın (siz) with strangers, elders or a group, kal (sen) with a friend.

Other Essential Polite Phrases

Afiyet olsun: (May it be healthy / Bon appetit) - Said before, during, or after a meal.
Geçmiş olsun: (May it pass) - Say this when someone is sick, had an accident, or is going through a difficult time.
Çok yaşa: (Live long) - Said when someone sneezes. The response is Sen de gör (literally "may you see it too", i.e. may you also live to see my long life).
Hayırlı olsun: (May it be auspicious) - For a new job, home, car or other good news.
Başınız sağ olsun: (May your head be healthy) - The standard condolence when someone has died.
Kusura bakmayın: (Please excuse me / Sorry) - A polite apology for an inconvenience; the reply is often Estağfurullah or Önemli değil (it's nothing).

Want to practice these phrases? Our Beginner Basics deck covers greetings and polite expressions, and our guide to Kolay gelsin goes deeper into the most useful phrase on this list.