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Questions & Answers about Günaydın! İyi günler!
Why is "Good morning" just one word instead of using İyi (good)?
Günaydın is a special greeting that literally means "bright day" (gün = day, aydın = bright or clear). Over time, it merged into a single word used specifically for "Good morning". You don't use iyi for this!
Why is günler plural in İyi günler?
In Turkish, it is very common to use the plural form when making a general wish or greeting. So, instead of saying "good day", you literally wish someone "good days" (iyi günler). You will also see this rule in iyi akşamlar (good evening) and iyi geceler (good night).
Can I say İyi günler when I am leaving?
Yes! While Günaydın is only used when you first see someone, İyi günler is very flexible. You can use it as a greeting when you arrive, or to mean "Have a good day" when you are saying goodbye.
Why does Günaydın have an "i" without a dot?
That is the undotted ı. It makes a sound similar to the "uh" sound in the English word "cousin" or "wagon". It is a completely different letter from the dotted i you see in İyi, which sounds like the "ee" in "see".