If you’re currently in Turkey, let me tell you something: there are a lot of things to celebrate here! Weddings, eids, birthdays, and so on. Nobody wants to feel left off in these kinds of events. That’s why you should know how to say congratulations in Turkish on special occasions, to congratulate people from the heart.
The most common and basic words to say congratulations in Turkish are “tebrik ederim,“ or “tebrikler“ in a shorter form. You can use both phrases for any occasion, as they are pretty common and versatile. However, native speakers use idiom-like phrases to congratulate each other.
That’s what I will teach you in this blog post! Because anyone can say “tebrik ederim” by using an online dictionary, but I’m sure you can’t find the authentic expressions, which I’m about to teach you below, anywhere else.
Let’s learn how to say congratulations in Turkish on different occasions, with their literal English translations and meanings explained!
When Someone Gets Married
Turkish weddings are a vibrant celebration filled with joy and traditions. When a couple ties the knot, it’s a must-do to give warm wishes to the couple. It’s a way to show your happiness for their union and wish them a lifetime of love and happiness.
Whether you’re attending the wedding or sending your wishes from afar, expressing your congratulations in Turkish is a heartfelt gesture that brings a smile to the newlywed couple’s faces.
Allah Tamamına Erdirsin.
Literal translation: May God make it complete.
You can use this phrase to congratulate a couple who are newly engaged and preparing for a wedding. Since engagement is like a promise to marry, it is seen as incomplete; that’s why Turkish people wish that they make it complete by marriage.
Allah Mesut Etsin.
Literal translation: May God make you merry.
This sentence is one of the most common yet elegant expressions that can be said to a newlywed or engaged couple. The word “mesut” here is a synonym with “mutlu” and both mean “happy” in English. So, if you want to wish them happiness in their marriage from the bottom of your heart, don’t hesitate to say this phrase to congratulate them.
Bir Yastıkta Kocayın.
Literal translation: Grow old in one pillow together.
It may sound weird when you hear this expression for the first time. But I think it’s the most beautiful and meaningful phrase to be congratulated as a newlywed couple. Turkish people used to sleep on one long pillow instead of two separate ones in the past (my grandparents still have that kind of pillow in their house). That’s why people say this expression to young couples, wishing they never split up, and they grow old together in peace.
When It’s Someone’s Birthday
Birthdays in Turkey are a special occasion, as anywhere in the world. You have to congratulate the birthday girl/boy to show your love and respect for them.
Doğum Günün Kutlu Olsun.
Literal translation: Happy birthday to you.
This phrase is the equivalent of “Happy Birthday” in English. It’s a neutral phrase, so you can use it to congratulate both younger and older people.
İyi Ki Doğdun.
Literal translation: I’m glad that you were born.
This expression shows how happy you’re to have that person in your life. I think this phrase sounds more sincere than the previous one.
When Someone Has A Baby
So, you want to know how to congratulate someone who has just had a baby? In Turkey, the arrival of a newborn is a joyful occasion worth celebrating with great enthusiasm. Family and friends come together to congratulate and offer gifts to the new parents. Congratulating the parents on their new bundle of joy is not only a way to share in their happiness but also a show of support and encouragement.
Allah Analı Babalı Büyütsün.
Literal translation: May God let him/her grow up with his/her mother and father.
Turkish people usually say this phrase to a couple with a newborn baby. It wishes for the baby to grow up happily with their parents and not lose one of them until he/she grows old. After having a baby, the worst nightmare for a mother or father must be to lose their child and not see them grow up. I think this expression is a thoughtful and comforting congratulation to the parents.
Anne Babasına Hayırlı Evlat Olsun.
Literal translation: May she/he become a good child for his/her parents.
After having a baby, every parent wants their child to become an adult with good virtues when they grow up. It’s every Turkish family’s dream. That’s why people say this when they congratulate someone who had a baby.
Want to learn more conversational Turkish phrases before your trip to Turkey? Then make sure to check out Ling!
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