A greeting (selamlaşma) is an important value of Turkish culture. Once you visit Turkey, you’ll find out that there are various ways of greetings in Turkish.
The Turkish phrases used for greeting change based on the formality, occasion, and person. So there are some crucial differences that you must pay attention to when you greet someone in Turkish.
Turkish greetings are not limited to words. You can also greet someone with gestures that can be commonly seen all over the country. But again, there are things to bear in mind when performing these gestures. So that you will always look respectful and sincere.
In this post, you’ll learn Turkish greetings and gestures. After reading this article, the gestures that Turkish people do when greeting each other will make sense to you. So that you will be able to grasp the Turkish culture a little better.
Table of Contents
How To Say Hello In Turkish?
The most commonly used word to say hello is merhaba in the Turkish language. It is a neutral phrase, so you can prefer using it in both formal and informal situations.
Also, there are some other ways to say hello in different situations.
Turkish Formal Greeting
As I mentioned before, you can just say merhaba in a formal setting, such as in a business environment. Or when talking to someone that you don’t know well, because you want to sound polite and formal.
Hello, sir/ma’am – Merhaba efendim
It’s the formalized way of merhaba by adding efendim at the end. It literally means ”hello sir.”
Turkish Informal Greetings
Nobody wants to sound serious and formal in a family or friend’s meeting. That’s why you should learn informal Turkish greetings when you sit in a pretty cafe with your friends.
So here are the informal ways of greeting someone in Turkish.
Hello – Merhabalar
It is the same phrase as the previous one, but the only difference is that it’s the plural form of merhaba. Somehow, it sounds casual when it’s in the plural form. You can use this phrase when you meet with a group of friends outside. You will have greeted each of your Turkish friends at once by just saying merhabalar.
Hi – Selam
Selam is most commonly used by young people in Turkey. It literally means peace, and it is a pretty informal phrase usually used among Turkish friends.
May peace be upon you. – Selamün aleyküm
This phrase is derived from the universal Islamic greeting ”Es selam’ün aleyküm”, which is actually an Arabic phrase. Since the majority of the population in Turkey are Muslims, you can hear this phrase commonly in daily life.
However, since this phrase has religious connotations, some people don’t prefer to use it.
Time-Specific Turkish Greetings
Here are some basic Turkish words that you can use for greeting people in the morning, afternoon, and evening times. You’re probably familiar with them but still have a look at them just in case.
Alright, you’ve learned so many Turkish phrases only in this article on your own. And if you’ve already read our previous Turkish blog posts, tebrikler, now you’re ready to have your first Turkish conversation!
If you want to learn more than just small talk and greetings in Turkish, you should definitely try the Ling app!
How Do You Say “Greeting” In Turkish?
Greeting means selamlaşma in Turkish and it refers to the act of greeting or exchanging greetings, emphasizing the cultural importance of respectful and warm interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greetings In Turkish
1. How Do You Greet Someone In Turkish?
You can greet someone by saying merhaba (hello) or selam (hi).
2. Is It Selam Or Merhaba?
Both are correct. Merhaba is more formal, while selam is more casual.
3. What Is The Greeting Style In Turkey?
In Turkey, people usually greet each other with merhaba or selam. It’s common to shake hands or kiss on both cheeks among friends and family.
4. Is It Merhaba Or Merhabalar?
Merhaba is singular and merhabalar is plural. You can use either, but merhabalar is often used to greet multiple people or to be extra polite.
Final Words
In summary, knowing greetings in Turkish, whether using merhaba or selam, and understanding gestures like handshakes and cheek kisses, is key to respecting and connecting with Turkish culture. These customs vary with the situation and relationship, enhancing your experience and connections while visiting Turkey.
