Turkish Frequently Used Words

A Vocabulary List of common Turkish Words and English Translations

Turkish words cannot begin with soft Ğ in Turkish.
The letters W, X, Q do not appear in the Turkish Alphabet.
The letter Y is considered as a consonant in Turkish.
Extra Turkish Consonants are Ç pronounced CH [church] and Ş pronounced SH
[shift, slash].
Extra Turkish Vowels are I (UnDotted-I), İ (Dotted-İ), Ö and Ü.
Main pronounciation difference: Turkish C is pronounced as J [Turkish cep
pocket is pronounced "jep" ]

A B C Ç D E F G H I İ J K

L M N O Ö P R S Ş T U Ü V

Y Z

A 

abla older sister; ma'am

acaba I wonder

acele hurry; hastily

acı tart, hot (pepper), bitter

aç hungry, greedy

açı open, bare, empty

açılmak to open, to clear up

açmak to open

ad name, reputation

ada island, city block

adam man (person), human being

âdet custom, habit

adres address

affetmek to forgive, excuse

afiyet health

ağabey older brother

ağaç tree

ağır heavy, difficult

ağız mouth; rim, brim

ağlamak to weep, cry, whine

ağrımak to ache, hurt

ağustos August

aile family

ait concerning, relating to

ak white, clean

akıl reason, intelligence, mind

akıllı wise, intelligent

akmak to flow, to leak

akşam evening
alay crowd

alçak low

alın forehead

alışmak to get used to, become familiar

alışveriş business, shopping

allah God

allahaısmarladık
goodbye! (Reply is Güle Güle)
(said by person leaving)

almak to take, get, buy

alt bottom

altı six

altın gold

altmış sixty

ama/amma but, yet, still

an moment, perception, boundary

ana main (ana yol = main road)

anahtar key

ancak only, merely, just barely, hardly

anlamak to understand, comprehend, find out

anlatmak to explain, tell, show

anne mother

apartman apartment building, block of flats

araba car ; vehicle

aralık space, gap, interval

aramak to look (for), search

arka the back, rear, reverse

arkadaş friend

armut pear

artık left over, remnant, extra ; for now, henceforth

arzu wish, desire

asansör elevator

asker soldier

aşağı the lower part, bottom, inferior

at horse

ata father, ancestor

ateş fire, fever, temperature

atmak to throw, drop, send away

avukat lawyer

ay moon ; month

ayak foot, leg, base, pedestal

ayakkabı shoe

aydınlık light, brightness

ayna mirror

aynı the same, identical

ayran yoghurt drink

ayrı separate, distinct, different

ayrılmak to part, separate, split

az small, little, few

azalmak to become less, lessen, diminish

B 

baba father

bacak leg, shank

bağ tie, string; vineyard

bağlı tied, connected

bahar spring

bahçe garden, park

bakan state secretary

bakkal grocer

bakmak to look at

balık fish

balkon balcony

banka bank

banyo bath ; bath-tub ; bath-room

bardak glass, cup

basmak to tread, stand

baş head, chief

başarmak to accomplish

başbakan prime minister

başka other, different

başlamak to begin, start

batı west, western

batmak to sink

bavul suitcase, trunk

bay Mr. - (used only with surname)

bayan lady

bayılmak to faint

bayram festivity, holiday

bazan/bazen sometimes

bazı some, certain

bebek baby, doll

beğenmek to like, admire

bekâr single, bachelor

beklemek to wait

belediye municipality

belge document

belki perhaps

belli evident, obvious

ben me, ego

benzin gasoline

beraber together

berber barber

beri here, near

beslemek to feed, nourish

beş five

bey gentleman

beyaz white

beyefendi sir

bıçak knife

bırakmak to leave

biber pepper

bildirmek to tell, inform

bile even, already

bilet ticket

biletçi ticket taker

bilgi knowledge, information

bilmek to know, be aware

bin thousand

bina building

binmek to get upon, ride

bir one

bira beer

biraz a little, some

birleşik united

birlik unity, union

bisiklet bicycle

bitirmek to finish, complete

bitmek to be used up, end, be finished

biz we

bluz/bulüz blouse

boğaz throat; straight; mountain pass

bol plentiful, ample

borç debt, loan

boş empty, free

boy height, stature, length

boyun neck, cervix; responsibility

bozmak to spoil, ruin, destroy

bozuk broken

bozulmak to go bad, become corrupt

bölge region, zone

bölüm portion, slice, chapter

börek flaky pastry with filling

böyle so, thus; such

bu this

buçuk and a half, (iki buçuk = two and a half)

bugün today

bulmak to find, discover

buluşmak to meet

bulut cloud

bulvar boulevard

burada here

burun nose, beak, tip

buyurmak to command

buz ice, very cold

buzdolabı refrigerator

büro office

bütün whole, total, unbroken

büyük big, large

C 

cadde main road, thoroughfare

cami mosque

can soul, life, person, vigor

canlı living, animate, alive

ceket jacket

cennet paradise, heaven

cep pocket

cevap answer, reply

cins sort, type, sex, gender, race, stock

cuma Friday

cumartesi Saturday

cumhuriyet republic

Ç 

çabuk quick, fast, swift, quickly

çağırmak to call, to invite, to shout

çalışkan hard-working, diligent

çalışma work, study

çalışmak to work, study

çalmak to steal ; to play a musical instrument

çanta bag, purse

çarpmak to bump, hit, knock, run (into)

çarşamba Wednesday

çarşı shopping district, market quarter

çatal fork, bifurcation

çay tea
çekmek to pull, haul, move (a car)

çeşit kind, sort, variety, assortment

çevirmek to turn, rotate; to refuse; to translate

çeyrek a quarter, one fourth

çıkarmak to take out, send out, expel, to publish

çıkmak to go out, emerge, to graduate

çiçek flower

çiftlik farm

çikolata chocolate

çirkin ugly

çocuk child

çok many, much, very

çorap stocking, nose, sock

çorba soup

çünkü because

D 

da/de too, also

dağ mountain, brand

daha more, than, yet, or

daima always, forever

daire circle; apartment

dakika minute

daktilo typewriting, typist

dans dance, dancing

dar narrow, tight

davet invitation

dede grandfather

defa time, turn

defter notebook

değer price, worth, value

değil not

değışik different, varied, changed

değişmek to change

delik hole, opening

demek to say

denemek to test, examine

deniz sea

derece step, stair, degree

derhal suddenly, immediately

derin deep, profound

ders lesson, lecture

dert sorrow, sadness, pain

deva remedy
devir age, time

devlet state, government, nation

deyim saying, expression

dış out, outer, outside

dışarı outside

diğer other

dikkat care, attention

dikmek plant, sew, stitch

dil language, tongue

dilemek to want, desire, to wish

dinlemek to listen

diş tooth

doğmak to be born

doğru correct, true

doğu east

doğum birth

doksan ninety

doktor doctor

dokuz nine

dolap cupboard, case

dolaşmak to walk

dolmak to fill
dolmuş (something which is filled)

dolu full

domates tomato

dondurma ice cream

dost friend, lover

doymak to be satisfied

dönmek to go round, circle; to return

dönüş return

dört four

dövmek to beat, pound

dudak lip

durak stop, stopping place

durmak to stop, stand

durum state, position, attitude

duş shower

duvar wall

duygu feeling, sense, perception

duymak to hear

düğün wedding feast

dükkân shop, store

dün yesterday

dünya world, earth

düşmek to fall

düşünmek to think, worry

düz smooth, level, flat

E 

eczane pharmacy, chemist

efendi master, owner

eğer if

eğlence amusement, enjoyment

eğlenmek to enjoy, to have a good time

ek supplement; prefix, suffix

ekim October; sowing, planting

ekmek bread; to sow, to cultivate

eksik lacking, less

ekşi sour, tart

el hand, power

elbette certainly

elbise dress, clothes

elektrik electricity

elli fifty

elma apple

emekli retired
emin safe, secure, sure, certain

emir order, command

en width; hefty, huge; most

enerji energy

erkek man

erken early

ertesi the next, following

eser work (of art); written

eski old

eş spouse; husband, wife; one of a pair

eşya furniture, things

et meat

etek skirt

etmek to do, make

etraf sides, surroundings

ev house

evet yes

evlenmek to marry

evli married

evvel first, before

evvel / evvela firstly

eylem action, operation; verb

eylül September

F 

fabrika factory

faiz interest

fakat but

fakir poor, destitute

fakülte department (at a university)

fark difference, distinction

fayda profit, advantage, use

fazla excessive, extra

felâket disaster

fena bad

fırçalamak to brush

fırın oven, bakery, kiln

fiil act

fikir thought, idea, opinion

film/filim film

fincan cup

fiyat/fiat price

fotoğraf photograph

G 
galiba perhaps, probably

garson waiter

gazete newspaper

gazeteci journalist; newspaper seller

gazino cafe, casino

gece night

geç late

geçen last, past

geçirmek to fix, insert; to pass (time); to enter;

geçit passage; mountain pass

geçmek to pass, cross; to undergo; to spoil; to faint

gelecek future; next

gelin bride; daughter-in-law

gelişmek to grow up; to develop, prosper

gelmek to come

gemi ship (n.)

genç young

gene / yine again; still, nevertheless

genellikle generally

geniş wide

gerçek real, genuine; reality, truth; really

gerek necessary; need

gerekmek to be necessary

geri backward, behind; slow (clock); to take/put back

getirmek to bring, yield

gezmek to stroll; to go out; to tour, visit

gibi like, similar; nearly, somewhat

gidiş departure; way of life, conduct

giriş entrance; introduction

girmek to enter; to join; to fit (into);

gişe pay desk, ticket window

gitmek to go; to lead; to suit; to leave; to disappear

giyinmek to dress (o. s.)

giymek to wear; to put on

göğüs breast, chest

gök sky, heavens

göl lake

gömlek skirt; slip; generation; degree, shade; (snake) skin

göndermek to send

göre according (to); considering

görev duty; function

görmek to see; to visit; to regard; to undergo; to perform

görüşmek to meet, to have an interview; to discuss

göstermek to show
götürmek to take (away), to carry; to accompany; to lead

göz eye

gözlük eyeglasses

gram gram

güç difficult; difficulty

gül rose

gülmek to smile, to laugh

gün day; period, time

günaydın good morning / good day

güneş sun

güney south, southern

günlük daily, 'n' days old; for 'n' days; diary; usual

üç günlük three days old ; for three days

gürültü noise

güzel nice, beautiful, good

H 

haber news

hafta week

hak justice

hakikaten in truth, truly

haklı right, just

hal condition; attitude; strength

halbuki whereas, however

halı carpet, rug

halk people, folk, nation

hangi which

hanım lady, Mrs., Ms., Miss.

hanımefendi lady, madam

hani in fact, besides

hareket movement, act, deed

harita map

harp war, battle

hasta sick

hastabakıcı nurse's aide

hastane hospital

hat route ; line ; stripe ; contour

hatırlamak to remember, to remind

hava air, weather

hayat life

haydi come on!

hayır no; charity

hayvan animal

hazır ready
hazırlamak to prepare

haziran June

hâlâ still, yet

hediye gift, present

hele above all, especially

hem.. hem de.. both… and…

hemen right away, almost

henüz only, just, just now

Mehmet, henüz gelmedi. Mehmet hasn't come yet. [with negative = 'yet']

hep all, the whole

her every, each

herhalde probably

herkes everyone, everybody

hesap account, bill

heyecan excitement, enthusiasm

hırsız thief

hız speed

hiç never, not at all

hissetmek to feel, to sense

hoca teacher

hoş kal fine,

hükümet government, administration

I 

ısırmak to bite

ısmarlamak to order s.o., to have s.o made

ışık light, any source of light

İ 

iç inside, interior, inner, domestic, kernel

içeri inside, interior

için for, because, so that

içki drink, liquor

içmek to drink

idare administration, management, direction

ihtiyaç need, necessity

ihtiyar old, old person

iki two

iktisadi economic

ilaç / ilâç medicine, drug

ilân notice, advertisement

ile with

ileri front part, forward, ahead

ilginç interesting

ilk first, initial

ilkbahar spring

imza signature

imzalamak to sign

inanmak (-a) to believe, trust, have faith in

inmek to get off (a bus, car, etc.)

insan person

inşallah I hope that . . .

ise however (after a noun)

isim name

iskemle chair, stool

istasyon station

istek wish, desire, request

istemek to want

iş work

işçi worker

işitmek to hear

işte here! here it is! look!

itmek to push, shove

iyi good

iyilik goodness, favor, kindness

izin permission

izlemek to follow, pursue; watch

J 

jeton jeton, money token, ferry token

K 

kabul acceptance

kaç how many ... ?

kaçmak to escape

kadar as ... as; approximately

kadın woman

kahvaltı breakfast

kahve coffee; café

kahverengi brown

kalabalık crowd, crowded

kaldırmak to raise, endure

kale fortress

kalem pencil, pen

kalın thick

kalkmak to get up, rise

kalmak to remain, be left

kalorifer central heating system

kan blood

kanun law
kapalı closed, covered

kapamak to close, shut

kapı door, gate

kapıcı doorkeeper

kar snow

kara black - see Explanation of Kara (renkler.htm)

karakol police station

karanlık dark

karar decision

kardeş sibling

karı wife

karın stomach, abdomen; womb

karışık mixed, complex

karışmak to mix, become confused

karşı facing, opposite

karşılamak to go to meet, to welcome

kasaba small town

kasap butcher

kasım November

kaş eyebrow

kaşık spoon

kat storey, floor

katı hard, stiff

kavga quarrel, fight

kavun honeydew melon

kaybetmek to lose

kaynak spring, source, origin

kazan large kettle

kazanç gain, profit, benefit

kazanmak to earn, win, get

kâğıt paper, card

kâr profit, benefit

kâtip clerk, secretary

kebap shish kebab

kedi cat

kendi oneself

kent city

kere time

kesmek to cut, slice

keyif pleasure in life; joy

kırk forty

kırmak to break, crush, grind

kırmızı red

kısa short
kısım part, portion, division

kış winter

kıyı shore, side, outskirts

kıyma ground meat

kız girl, daughter

kızıl red; scarlet fever

kızmak to anger

kibrit match

kilim rug

kilo kilogram

kilometre kilometer

kim who, whoever

kimse someone, anyone

kira renting, leasing

kirli dirty

kişi person, human being

kitap book

koca husband, adult

kol arm, sleeve, limb

kolay easy, simple

koltuk armchair

komşu neighbor
konferans lecture, conference

konser concert

konsolos consul (diplomat)

konuşmak to talk, speak

korkmak to fear, be afraid

koşmak to run

koymak to put, place

koyu thick (liquid)

koyun sheep

köfte meat patty, meatball

kömür coal, charcoal

köpek dog

köprü bridge

kör blind, dull, dim

köşe corner

kötü bad

köy village

köylü peasant

kulak ear; gill

kullanmak to use, drive

kum sand, gravel

kumaş cloth, fabric

kurmak to set up, assemble

kurtarmak to save, rescue

kuruş piaster (coin) ; cent

kuş bird

kutlamak to congratulate, celebrate

kutu box, case, can

kuvvet strength, power, force

kuzey north

küçük little, small

kütüphane library

L 

lamba lamp

lâzım necessary

limon lemon

lira lira

lise (high) school

lokanta restaurant

lütfen please

lüzum necessity, need

M 

maalesef unfortunately
madem since, seeing that

maden mine

mahalle neighborhood, district

makina machine

mal goods, property

manav greengrocer

manzara scene, view

mart March

masa table

maşallah Wonderful!

mavi blue

mayıs May

mâna meaning, sense

meclis assembly, council

mektep school

mektup letter

memleket country, land

memnun pleased, satisfied

memur civil servant, official

mendil handkerchief

merak curiosity

merdiven stairs, ladder

merhaba hello

merkez center, headquarters

mersi thanks! cheers!

mesele matter, problem

meslek profession

meşgul busy, preoccupied

meşhur famous

metre meter

mevsim season

mevzu topic, subject

meydan open space

meyve fruit

millet nation, people

millı national

milyar billion

milyon million

mimar architect

minare minaret

misafir guest, visitor

mor purple

musluk tap, faucet

mutfak kitchen
mutlaka absolutely

mutlu happy

müddet period, duration

müdür director, head, chair

mühendis engineer

mühim important, significant

mümkün possible

müracaat application

müsaade permission

müze museum

müzik music

N 

nasıl how

ne what

neden why

nerede where

nereli where from

nereye where to

niçin why

nihayet finally

nisan April
niye why

niyet intention;

niyet etmek to intend

normal normal

not note, mark

numara number, size;

numara yapmak to act, pretend

nutuk speech, oration;

nutuk vermek to make a speech

O 

ocak January

oda room

odacı janitor

odun firewood

ofis office

oğlan boy

oğul son

okul school

okumak read

olmak to be; to happen

omuz shoulder
on ten

opera opera

ordu army

orman forest

orta middle

otel hotel

otobüs bus

otomobil automobile

oturmak to sit; to reside

otuz thirty

oynamak to play

oyun game

Ö 

öbür to other

ödemek to pay

ödev duty; homework

öğle noon

öğrenci student

öğrenmek to learn

öğretim instruction; education

öğretmek to teach
öğretmen teacher

ölçmek to measure; to consider

ölçü measurement

ölmek to die

ölüm death

ömür life span; amusing

ön front

önce first; ago

önem importance

önemli important

öpmek to kiss

öyle like that, so

özel private

özür excuse; defect

P 

pahalı expensive

paket packet, package

palto man's coat

pansiyon boarding house

pantalon pants, trousers

para money
parça piece, bit, segment

park park

parlak bright, shining, successful

parmak finger, toe,

pasaport passport

pasta pastry, dessert

pastane pastry shop

patates potato

patron employer, head of a business

pazar open market; Sunday

pazartesi Monday

pek very much; hard, firm

peki very good

pembe pink

pencere window

perde curtain, screen, veil

perşembe Thursday

peynir cheese

piknik picnic

pilav pilaf

pis dirty, foul, obscene

pişirmek to cook, to bake

pişmek to be cooked, baked; to ripen, to mature

plaj beach

polis police, policeman

politika politics, policy

portakal orange

posta post, postal service

postane post office

profesör professor

program program

pul stamp

R 

radyo radio

raf shelf

rağmen (-a) in spite (of)

rahat comfortable

rakı anise flavored alcoholic drink

randevu appointment, rendezvous

reçel jam

renk color

renkli colored, colorful

resim picture
resmı official, formal

ressam painter, artist

rica request

rüzgâr wind

S 

saat watch, clock, hour

sabah morning

saç hair

sade mere, simple, pure

sağ alive

sağlık life, health

saha space, field

sahi sound, true, correct

sahip owner

sakın beware; objection

salata salad, lettuce

salı Tuesday

salon hall, guest room, dining room

sanayi industries

sandalye chair

saniye second, moment

sanki supposing that

sanmak to think

sarı yellow; pale

satıcı salesman

satın almak to buy

satmak to sell

savaş struggle, fight, war

sayfa page

saymak to count

sebep cause, reason, source

sebze vegetable

seçmek to choose, select

sefer voyage

sekiz eight

sekreter secretary

seksen eighty

selâm greeting, salutation

sen you

sene year

serbest free, independent

sergi exhibition

serin cool
sert hard, violent

ses sound, noise, voice

sevgili beloved, dear

sevinç joy, delight

sevinmek to be pleased with

sevmek to love, like

seyahat journey, travelling

seyretmek to see, to look on

sıcak warm, hot, heat

sıfır zero

sık close together, dense

sıkmak to press, squeeze

sınıf class

sır secret, mystery

sıra row, turn, file

sigara/cıgara cigarette

sinema cinema

siyah black

siz you

soğan onion

soğuk cold, frigid

sohbet conversation, chat

sokak street

sol left, left-hand

son end, result, last

sonbahar fall, autumn

sonra afterwards

sormak to ask

soru question

sorun problem

soyadı family name, surname

söylemek to say

söz word, speech, rumour

sözlük dictionary

spor sport, games

su water, fluid

subay officer

sultan ruler

susmak to be silent

sürmek to drive

süt milk

Ş 

şair poet
şapka hat

şarap wine

şark east, Orient

şart condition

şaşırmak to be confused about

şaşmak to be perplexed

şehir town, city

şeker sugar, candy

şekerli sweetened

şemsiye umbrella

şey thing

şikâyet complaint

şimdi now

şirket company, partnership

şiş spit, skewer; swelling, swollen

şişe bottle

şişman fat

şoför chauffer

şöyle in that manner, so, just

şu that, this

şubat February

şüphe doubt, suspicion

T 

tabak plate, dish

tabii of course

tahsil collection; study, education

tahta blackboard; board, plank

takım set; team

taksi taxi

tam complete, entire, perfect

tamam OK; completion, end

tane grain; piece;

tanımak to know

tanışmak to meet, make acquaintance

tanrı god; God

taraf side, direction

tarif description; tariff

tarih history

tarla arable field

taş stone

taşımak to carry, transport, bear

taşınmak to move to (location) ; be carried to

tatil holiday, vacation

tatlı sweet, drinkable

tavuk hen

taze fresh, new

tebrik congratulation

tehlike danger

tek single, alone

teklif proposal, offer

tekrar repetition

tekrarlamak to repeat

telefon telephone

televizyon television

telgraf telegraph, telegram

tembel lazy

temiz clean, pure, honest

temizlemek to clean

temmuz July

temsil representation

tepe hill, summit

tercih preference

terzi tailor

teşekkür thanks, giving thanks

tırnak finger nail, toe nail;

ticaret trade, commerce

tiyatro theater

top ball, anything round

toplamak to collect, gather, tidy

toplantı assembly, meeting

toprak earth, soil, land

tramway tram, streetcar

traş/tıraş shaving

tren train

tuhaf uncommon, curious

turist tourist

turistik touristic

turuncu orange (color)

tutmak to hold; to catch, seize

tuvalet toilet

tuz salt

tuzlu salted, salty

türlü various

tütün tobacco

U 

ucuz cheap
uçak airplane

uçmak to fly, to evaporate, disappear

ufak small

uğramak to stop by

ulus people, nation

ummak to hope, expect

umumiyetle usually, generally

unutmak to forget

uyanmak to awake, come to life

uygun comfortable, suitable, appropriate

uyku sleep (n.)

uyumak to sleep

uzak distant, remote

uzatmak to extend, prolong

uzun long

Ü 

üç three

ülke country

ümit hope, expectation

üniversite university

ünlü famous
üst top, upper surface

ütü flat-iron

üye member

üzere at the point of, about to

üzmek to strain, break; to hurt the feelings of

üzülmek to be worn out

üzüm grape

V 

vakit time

vali governor

valiz suit-case

vapur steamer

var there is, there are

varmak to arrive, to reach

vatan native country

vatandaş citizen, compatriot

vazgeçmek to give up, to abandon

vazife duty, obligation

vaziyet position, situation

ve and

vermek to give
veya or

vurmak to hit, kill, steal, swindle

Y 

ya.. ya da.. either ... or ...

yabancı stranger, foreigner

yağ oil, fat, grease

yağmak to rain

yağmur rain (n.)

yahut or

yakın near (to)

yakıt fuel (for heating)

yakmak to light, ignite

yalan lie, fabrication

yalnız alone, lonely

yan side; neighborhood

yanak cheek

yani that is to say

yanlış error

yanmak to burn, be on fire

yapmak to make; to build; to create

yaprak leaf, grape leaf; layer

yardım help

yarı half of the

yarım half (n.)

yarın tomorrow

yasak prohibition, ban, prohibited

yaş damp, fresh

yaşamak to live; to enjoy

yaşlı old, elderly

yatak bed

yatmak to go to bed

yavaş slow; quiet

yavru young animal

yaz summer

yazı writing

yazık pity, shame

yazmak to write

yedi seven

yemek to eat; to spend (money)

yeni new

yer place; position

yeşil green

yetişmek to catch, make; to be in time for

yetmek to be sufficient

yetmiş seventy

yıkamak to wash; to bathe

yıkanmak to be washed; to be bathed

yıl year

yine / gene again, once more; still, even so

yirmi twenty

yiyecek food

yoğurt yogurt

yok there is not.., there are not..

yoksa or?; if not..? (used in questions)

yol road, path, route

yolcu traveler; passenger

yolculuk journey, trip

yollamak to send

yorgun tired

yorulmak to get tired

yön direction, aspect, angle

yönetici manager, administrator

yukarı upstairs; upper

yumurta egg; testicle

yumuş soft, tender, gentle

yurt homeland of a people or nation

yüksek high; lofty

yükselmek to rise, ascend

yürümek to work, to march, to move forward

yüz one hundred; face; reason

yüzmek to swim, to float

Z 

zahmet trouble

zaman time

zamir pronoun

zarf envelope

zaten anyway; besides

zengin rich

zeytin olive (fruit)

zil doorbell, buzzer

ziyaret visit, pilgrimage

zor trouble, worry, difficulty