In Turkish, everyday phrases often carry more than just meaning. Without even realizing it, we express deep emotions through simple words. Let’s take a look at some beautiful Turkish expressions that speak straight from the heart.
Instead of saying “It’s okay,” we say “Canın sağ olsun”—May your soul be healthy. Because in our culture, your well-being is more important than any misfortune.
When we crave something, we don’t just say “I’m craving it.” We say “Canım çekti”—My soul is drawn to it. Because sometimes, a desire feels like a spiritual calling rather than just a physical need.
We don’t only say “Get well soon.” We say “Geçmiş olsun”—May it be in the past. It’s not just about healing but about leaving pain behind and moving forward.
We don’t just say “Happy birthday.” We say “İyi ki doğdun”—How good it is that you were born. It’s a celebration of your existence, not just your age.
We don’t say “Bon Appétit” just once. We say “Afiyet olsun” before, during, and even after a meal when thanking someone again. Because “afiyet” doesn’t just mean appetite—it also means health and well-being.
When someone sneezes and is wished a long life, we don’t just reply with a “Thank you.” We say “Hep birlikte”—Let’s live a long life all together.
When we say goodbye, it’s not just one word. It might be “Kendine iyi bak” (Take care of yourself), “Allah’a emanet ol” (May God protect you), or “Yolun açık olsun” (May your path be clear). Each one is filled with care, hope, and protection.
We don’t just say “I love you, my baby.” We say “Seni verene kurban olurum”—I would sacrifice myself to the One who gave you to me. A poetic and powerful way to show how deeply someone is cherished.
And finally, Turkish isn’t just words—it’s also untranslatable sounds that say so much with so little: “Ayyy,” “Öfff,” “Tühh,” “Bee,” “Ufff”…
These small utterances can express annoyance, excitement, regret, and everything in between.
Sometimes a simple “canım” can ease all the pain, and sometimes “afiyet olsun” nourishes more than just your stomach.
Our language isn’t just about communicating, it’s about connecting, caring, and feeling deeply. Because in Turkish, every word has a little piece of the heart in it.
