Useful Turkish Phrases

A Little Turkish Goes a Long Way

In tourist areas, hotels, and major attractions, English is spoken by many staff. However, away from the main tourist zones, English becomes less common. Knowing basic Turkish accessibility-related words will help you at pharmacies, smaller restaurants, local transit stops, and in conversations with taxi drivers.

Turkish is a phonetic language, meaning words are generally pronounced as they are written. Once you learn the sounds of a few special letters, pronunciation becomes straightforward.

Essential Accessibility Words

Asking for Help

These phrases will help you request accessibility-related assistance:

• Tekerlekli sandalye icin erisebilir mi? (teh-ker-LEK-lee san-DAL-yeh ee-CHEEN eh-ree-sheh-bee-LEER mee?) -- Is it wheelchair accessible?
• Asansor nerede? (ah-san-SOR neh-REH-deh?) -- Where is the elevator?
• Rampa var mi? (RAHM-pa VAR mee?) -- Is there a ramp?
• Yardim edebilir misiniz? (YAR-duhm eh-deh-bee-LEER mee-see-NEEZ?) -- Can you help me?
• Engelli tuvaleti nerede? (en-GEL-lee too-va-LEH-tee neh-REH-deh?) -- Where is the accessible toilet?
• Tekerlekli sandalye kullaniyorum. (teh-ker-LEK-lee san-DAL-yeh kool-la-nuh-yo-ROOM.) -- I use a wheelchair.

Transport Phrases

• Durak (doo-RAK) -- Stop (bus/tram)
• Istasyon (ees-tas-YON) -- Station
• Metro (MET-ro) -- Metro/subway
• Otobus (oh-toh-BOOS) -- Bus
• Tramvay (TRAM-vai) -- Tram
• Vapur (va-POOR) -- Ferry
• Taksi (TAK-see) -- Taxi

Medical and Emergency Phrases

• Acil durum (ah-JEEL doo-ROOM) -- Emergency
• Hastane (has-ta-NEH) -- Hospital
• Eczane (ej-ZA-neh) -- Pharmacy
• Doktor (dok-TOR) -- Doctor
• Bir doktora ihtiyacim var. (beer dok-TOH-ra eeh-tee-ya-JUHM VAR.) -- I need a doctor.
• Ilac kullaniyorum. (ee-LAHCH kool-la-nuh-yo-ROOM.) -- I take medication.
• Ambulans cagirin. (am-boo-LAHNS cha-uh-RUHN.) -- Call an ambulance.

Pronunciation Tips

Turkish has a few letters that differ from English:

• c sounds like "j" in "jam" (not like English "c")
• s with cedilla sounds like "sh" in "shoe"
• g with breve is a soft "g" that lengthens the preceding vowel (nearly silent)
• i without dot sounds like the "u" in "cut"
• o with umlaut sounds like the "u" in "fur"
• u with umlaut sounds like the "u" in French "tu"