The official language is Turkish. English and German are widely spoken in major cities and tourist resorts, and you will find that most Turks welcome the opportunity to practise their language skills and will go out of their way to be helpful. Foreign visitors who attempt to speak even a few words of Turkish, however, will definitely be rewarded with even warmer smiles.
Some useful words and phrases:
Some useful words and phrases:
| English Phrase | Pronunciation in Turkish |
|---|---|
| Hello | Merhaba (mare-hah-bah) |
| Good Morning | Günaydin (goon-eye-din) (said on meeting) |
| Good Day | iyi günler (ee-yee goo -n-ler) (said on meeting or parting) |
| Good evening | iyi akşamlar (ee-yee ak-sham-lar) (said on meeting or parting) |
| Good night | iyi geceler (ee-yee gedge -e-ler) (said on meeting or parting) |
| Please | Lutfen (lute-fen) |
| Thanks | Tesekkürler (tesh-e-kiir- ler) |
| Yes | Evet (e-vet) |
| No | Hayir (higher) |
| I want | istiyorum (ist-ee-your-um) |
| When? | Ne zaman? (nay za-man) |
| Today | Bugün (boo-goon) |
| Tomorrow | Yarın (yah-run) |
| Where? | Nerede (ne're-de) |
| My name is | ismim (is-mim) |
| Water | su (sue) |
| Milk | süt (suit) |
| Beer | bira (beer-a) |
| Wine | Şarap (shar-ap) |
| Tea | cay (ch-eye) |
| Coffee | kahve (car-vay) |
| Food | yemek (ye-meck) |
| Be careful! | Dikkat! |
| 1 | birr (beer) |
| 2 | iki (icky) |
| 3 | üç (ouch) |
| 4 | dört (dirt) |
| 5 | beş(besh) |
| 6 | altı (al-ter) |
| 7 | yedi(yea-dee) |
| 8 | sekiz (seck-is) |
| 9 | dokuz (dock-uz) |
| 10 | on (on) |
| Monday | Pazartesi |
| Tuesday | Salı |
| Wednesday | Çarşamba |
| Thursday | Perşembe |
| Friday | Cuma |
| Saturday | Cumartesi |
| Sunday | Pazar |