Essential Turkish Phrases for Travel: 24 Phrases You'll Actually Use
Turkey welcomes millions of visitors every year, from Istanbul's bazaars to the coast. In tourist areas English works, but in local restaurants, taxis and markets, a few Turkish phrases go a long way — and often earn you a smile (or a tea).
Updated October 2026
Basics and greetings
| English | Turkish |
|---|---|
| Hello | Merhaba |
| Goodbye | Hoşça kalın |
| Please | Lütfen |
| Thank you | Teşekkür ederim |
| Yes | Evet |
| No | Hayır |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Affedersiniz |
| I don't understand | Anlamıyorum |
| Do you speak English? | İngilizce biliyor musunuz? |
At the restaurant
| English | Turkish |
|---|---|
| A table for two, please | İki kişilik bir masa, lütfen |
| The menu, please | Menü, lütfen |
| Water, please | Su, lütfen |
| The bill, please | Hesap, lütfen |
| It's delicious | Çok lezzetli |
Getting around and shopping
| English | Turkish |
|---|---|
| Where is the toilet? | Tuvalet nerede? |
| Where is the station? | İstasyon nerede? |
| How much is it? | Ne kadar? |
| Can you write it down? | Yazabilir misiniz? |
Emergencies and health
| English | Turkish |
|---|---|
| Help! | İmdat! |
| I need a doctor | Doktora ihtiyacım var |
| Where is the pharmacy? | Eczane nerede? |
| Call the police! | Polis çağırın! |
| I'm lost | Kayboldum |
Practical tips
- Turkish letters: "ş" = sh, "ç" = ch, "ı" (no dot) is a short "uh" sound, and "ğ" is mostly silent.
- Haggling is normal in bazaars, but not in supermarkets or restaurants with printed prices.
- "Hoşça kalın" is said by the person leaving; the person staying says "Güle güle".
- Tea (çay) is offered everywhere — accepting it is a friendly gesture.
Too many phrases to remember?
With OIEM Translator you can simply talk. Choose English and Turkish, tap the microphone once and speak normally: the translation appears in about half a second and is spoken out loud in Turkish. When the other person answers, OIEM detects their language automatically and translates back — no need to tap again.
- Hands-free two-way conversation
- Text translation also works offline
- Photo translation for menus and signs
Free to download with free voice translations to try. The weekly plan includes a 3-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is Turkish hard to pronounce?
Less than it looks: it is written exactly as it sounds. Learn the few special letters and you can read any sign.
Can my phone speak Turkish for me?
Yes. With a voice translator like OIEM Translator you speak in English and your iPhone says it out loud in Turkish, then translates the answer back. It is useful when a phrase list is not enough.
Do these phrases work offline?
This page works offline if you save it or take screenshots before your trip. In OIEM Translator, text translation works offline; voice translation needs an internet connection.