Slang

1. Naber?

   What's up?

   Usage

   A contraction of "Ne haber?", what's the news. For peers and people you are already easy with — use "Nasılsınız?" with a stranger or an elder. Reply with "İyilik, senden naber?"

2. Kanka

   Buddy / mate

   Usage

   Shortened from "kan kardeşi", blood brother. Used both to address a close friend of your own age and to refer to one. Never with shop staff, an elder or a work contact. These days it is used for women as well as men

3. Abi

   Bro (to a slightly older man)

   Usage

   A casual form of "ağabey", elder brother, used for any slightly older man whether related or not. It warms up an exchange with a driver, a shopkeeper or a street vendor. For someone considerably older, "amca" (uncle) fits better

4. Abla

   Sis (to a slightly older woman)

   Usage

   The counterpart of "abi" for a slightly older woman — natural with a market or restaurant worker. For someone much older, use "teyze", aunt

5. Hocam

   Chief / teacher (friendly address)

   Usage

   Literally "my teacher", now a catch-all address that pays the other person a small compliment. It works for staff, drivers and colleagues whose names you do not know, which makes it the safest single word here for a traveller

6. Aynen

   Exactly / yep

   Usage

   Agreement with what was just said, and one of the commonest fillers in chat and speech. Fine with anyone, though "Kesinlikle" is the more polite choice with a superior

7. Tamamdır

   Got it / all set

   Usage

   A firmer "tamam", carrying the sense of "understood, it's handled". Safe with staff and drivers alike

8. Eyvallah

   Thanks / cheers

   Usage

   A casual thank-you that also serves as "see you" on parting or a light "sure". Heard most between men but used by women too. In a work setting, "Teşekkür ederim" is safer

9. Boş ver

   Never mind / forget it

   Usage

   Literally "give it empty" — for letting something go. Aimed at friends of your own age; used in reply to someone's concern or offer it can sound dismissive

10. Yok artık!

    No way!

    Usage

    Literally "no more" — the interjection for hearing something unbelievable. It expresses your own astonishment rather than doubting the speaker, so it is fairly safe with anyone

11. Cidden mi?

    Really?

    Usage

    A light "really?" that invites the other person to keep going. For peers and friends; with a superior, "Gerçekten mi?" is the calmer choice

12. Efsane

    Legendary / amazing

    Usage

    Properly "legend", now firmly established as high praise for a meal, a view or a gig. Aimed at peers, but there is nothing rude about it — a cook will be pleased to hear it

13. Bayıldım

    I loved it

    Usage

    Literally "I fainted" — an exaggeration for strong enjoyment, used of food and views. The aubergine dish "imam bayıldı", the imam fainted, uses the same verb

14. Kıyak

    A nice favour / cool

    Usage

    A generous or thoughtful gesture: "Bana kıyak yaptı", he did me a good turn. It belongs in conversation with friends — it makes light of the favour, so avoid it when thanks should be formal

15. Takılalım

    Let's hang out

    Usage

    From "takılmak", to hang around. An invitation to spend time together without fixing plans. For peers only — not for a work contact or an elder

16. Muhabbet

    Good chat

    Usage

    The rambling but companionable conversation that is the whole point of sitting in a tea house. "Muhabbet edelim" means "let's have a chat". Warm and usable at any age

17. Kafa dinlemek

    To unwind

    Usage

    Literally "to rest the head" — doing nothing on purpose. "Biraz kafa dinlemek istiyorum" is also a gracious way to decline an invitation

18. Kolay gelsin

    May it come easy

    Usage

    The set phrase for anyone at work — said leaving a shop, passing a building site or walking out of an office, to absolutely anyone. It is the best-loved thing a visitor can say in Turkish, and it always gets a reaction

19. Eline sağlık

    Health to your hand (to the cook)

    Usage

    Said to whoever cooked or made something by hand — never skip it after a meal in someone's home. The polite form is "Elinize sağlık"; the reply is "Afiyet olsun"

20. Ağzına sağlık

    Well said

    Usage

    Literally "health to your mouth" — praise for someone who said it well, or who sang for you. In some regions it also compliments the cooking. The polite form is "Ağzınıza sağlık"

21. Bir saniye

    Just a second

    Usage

    Usually contracted to "bi saniye" in speech. Show it while you dig through your bag or open a translation app. Safe with anyone

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