8 Ways to Say Hello in Turkish

Learning how to greet someone is the first step to jump into learning Turkish. In Turkish, greetings vary depending on the level of formality, the context, and the time of day. Whether you’re meeting a friend, addressing a professional, or just saying hello, this guide will provide you with the 8 most common ways to greet someone in Turkish. İyi okumalar!

How to Say Hello in Turkish?

There are a few ways to greet someone in Turkish: from the classical “merhaba” to more specific greetings based on the context (formal/informal) or the time of the day. Here is what you need to know:

The Classical “Merhaba”

Merhaba (pronounced “mehr-hah-bah”) is the most common way to say hello in Turkish. It can be used both formally and informally and at any time of the day.

Note that you can also use the plural form “merhabalar”, which has the same meaning as “merhaba” but conveys a slightly warmer or more cheerful tone. The plural form is often used to greet a group of people or to add a touch of politeness and friendliness.

Formal Greeting in Turkish: Selamün Aleyküm

In formal settings, especially addressing elders or interacting with someone you don’t know well, it’s essential to use polite and respectful greetings. For that, you use “selamün aleyküm” (also sometimes written in one word “selamünaleyküm”).

This greeting means “Peace be upon you” and is derived from Arabic. The typical response is “Aleyküm Selam,” which means “And upon you be peace.” This is often used in conservative or religious contexts.

Informal Greetings

When you’re with friends, family, or peers, the tone can be more relaxed. Here are common informal greetings:

• Selam: A more informal and casual way to say “Hi” or “Hey.” It is often used among friends, family, or people of the same age group and doesn’t convey the religious tone of “selamün aleyküm“. Note that you can also use the plural form “Selamlar”, adding a touch of politeness or warmth.
• Naber?: Short for “Ne haber?” meaning “What’s up?” This greeting is very informal and commonly used among close friends to start a conversation.
• Nasıl Gidiyor?: translating to “How’s it going?” this is another friendly way to start a conversation.

Time-Specific Greetings

In Turkish, greetings often change depending on the time of day. Here are some key examples:

• Günaydın: This translates to “Good morning”. It is polite and friendly, suitable for both formal and informal settings.
• Tünaydın: Meaning “Good afternoon,” though less commonly used than other greetings, it is still understood.
• İyi Akşamlar: This means “Good evening” and is used from late afternoon until nighttime. It’s more common to use it as a farewell.

Note that “Iyi geceler” (“Good night”) is only used as a farewell.

To conclude, here is a recap video to learn how to say “hello” in Turkish:

To continue, discover 12 ways to say “goodbye” in Turkish.