The formulas Turkish uses every day
Turkish leans on set phrases far more than English does. Several of these have no real English equivalent — you simply learn when they are said.
Thanking and answering
rica ederim is the standard answer to teşekkürler. Note that it is not literal: the verb rica etmek means to request, but this frozen first-person form means you're welcome.
Getting attention and apologising
affedersiniz opens almost any approach to a stranger — asking the way, the price, the time. buyurun is its counterpart from the other side: a shopkeeper inviting you in, someone handing you an object, or a host waving you to a seat.
Wishes for a situation
| formula | said to someone who… |
|---|---|
| geçmiş olsun | is ill, or has just come through something bad |
| kolay gelsin | is working — said on entering a shop or an office |
| çok yaşa | has just sneezed |
| tebrikler | has achieved something |
| mutlu yıllar | at New Year |
Parting and greeting informally
kendine iyi bak is a warm goodbye to a friend, and ne haber is the casual what's up — answered with iyilik or simply iyiyim.
