15 Turkish Words Every Kid Should Hear Before Age 8
Fifteen warm, useful Turkish words for children, with meanings, simple pronunciations and easy ways to teach them at home.
Long vocabulary lists do not help young children. A better list has words that are warm, easy to use and heard often at a Turkish table. This guide has 15 of them, with the meaning, a simple way to say each one, and a note on when to use it. Turkish is spelled the way it sounds, so once you know a few letters you can read most words aloud.
Letters to know first
- ç sounds like "ch" in chair.
- ş sounds like "sh" in shoe.
- c sounds like "j" in jam.
- ı (no dot) is a short sound like the "u" in button.
- ğ is silent. It makes the vowel before it a little longer.
The pronunciations below are written for English speakers. They are close, not perfect. A native speaker is the best teacher.
The 15 words
1. Kolay gelsin — koh-LIE GEL-sin
"May it come easy." People say it to someone who is working or carrying something: a baker, a driver, a child doing homework. It is a short way to show you see the effort.
2. Sana da — SAH-nah dah
"To you too." People often use it to answer a wish: "İyi geceler" (good night) — "Sana da." In our audio story it is also the phrase a grandmother uses when she passes something good to a child. Read more about sana da.
3. Nazar boncuğu — nah-ZAHR bon-JOO-oo
The blue eye bead. Here is a simple explanation for kids.
4. Nene, nine, anneanne, babaanne
Words for grandmother. Anneanne is the mother's mother and babaanne is the father's mother. Nene and nine are used in some regions and families. Ask your family which one they use, and use that one every day.
5. Canım — jah-NUHM
"My dear". It comes from the word for soul or life. Parents and grandparents say it to children many times a day.
6. Hoş geldin — hohsh GEL-din
"Welcome." It is said when someone arrives. The usual answer is hoş bulduk, which means "we found it pleasant here".
7. Afiyet olsun — ah-fee-YET ol-SOON
"May it be good for you." People say it before, during and after a meal. It is close to "enjoy your meal".
8. Eline sağlık — eh-lee-NEH sah-LUHK
"Health to your hands." This is the thank-you for the person who cooked. Teach it at the first family dinner and let your child say it to the cook.
9. Çay — chai
Tea. In Türkiye, tea is served in small tulip-shaped glasses. Offering tea is a way to welcome someone and to sit with them.
10. Simit — see-MEET
A ring of bread covered with sesame seeds. People buy it at bakeries and from street sellers, and many families eat it at breakfast.
11. İncir — in-JEER
Fig. Figs grow well in the warm regions of Türkiye. A fresh fig is a good first word for the fruit bowl.
12. İyi ki doğdun — ee-YEE kee doh-DOON
"Good that you were born." This is what Turkish families say and sing at a birthday, often with the child's name: "İyi ki doğdun Defne."
13. Geçmiş olsun — gech-MEESH ol-SOON
"May it be past." People say it to someone who is ill, hurt or had a fright. It is close to "get well soon".
14. Yavrum — yahv-ROOM
"My little one." It is an affectionate word for a child. Aunts, neighbors and shopkeepers may use it.
15. Maşallah — mah-shah-LAH
Said in admiration, for example when someone praises a child's drawing or a new skill. It is often followed by nazar değmesin, "may the evil eye not touch it".
How to teach them without worksheets
- One word a day. Pick a word at breakfast and use it until bedtime. Fifteen words take about two weeks.
- Give each word a job. Kolay gelsin is easier to learn when your child says it to a real person who is working.
- Let a story carry the words. Children remember words from a story because they remember the moment. In The Blue Bead, you will hear nene, çay, simit, nazar boncuğu and sana da inside a short adventure.
- Print and color. Our free printables have pages to color and keep.
What to leave for later
Numbers, colors and days of the week are useful, but children often learn them at school in another language. Start with words that make someone smile at your child. The rest comes more easily after that.
Related
- The Blue Bead: a free audio story
- Turkish bedtime stories: 7 ideas for read-alouds at home
- My child won't speak Turkish: 5 things that help
- Free printables
Play with the words at home
A notebook, a puzzle or a deck of cards can turn new Turkish words into a small daily game. See the whole Sana Da collection.
