Order anything by pointing in Turkish
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. Play the ten Turkish words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Turkish phrases in this lesson
- ... istiyorumis-tee-YOR-oom
- I would like...
- Buboo
- This one
- Ne kadar?neh kah-DAR
- How much is it?
- Hesap lütfenheh-SAP lewt-fen
- The bill, please
- KartlaKART-la
- By card
- Nakitnah-KEET
- In cash
- Susoo
- Water
- Kahvekah-VEH
- Coffee
- Çaychai
- Tea
- BiraBEE-ra
- Beer
- ... olmadanol-ma-DAN
- Without...
The thing comes first and the verb last: "bir çay istiyorum" (I would like a tea). Softer still is "... alabilir miyim?" (a-la-bee-LEER mee-yim), can I have. Both are perfectly polite at any counter.
One of the most powerful words in Turkish shopping. Point and say "bu". At bakery or börek counters "bundan bir tane" (one of these) completes the entire transaction. "Şu" (shoo) is that one, a little further away.
Short and essential. "Kaç lira?" (kach LEE-ra), how many lira, works too. At the bazaar prices are sometimes negotiable; asking politely and not rushing is half the bargain.
Catch the server's eye and say it clearly, or mime writing in the air. Tipping 10 to 15 percent is standard in sit-down restaurants; at lokantas (canteen-style) rounding up is enough.
The suffix -la means with or by. "Kartla ödeyebilir miyim?" (can I pay by card?) works everywhere in cities. Small vendors, taxis and village tea houses can still be cash only.
"Nakit ödeyeceğim" (I will pay in cash). Small notes are more useful than large ones at markets and small shops, where change can be scarce.
Tap water is drinkable in most cities but locals largely drink bottled. "Büyük su" (big water) gets a 1.5 litre bottle. Sparkling water is "maden suyu" (mineral water), widely available and refreshing.
Turkish coffee is thick and unfiltered; the grounds stay in the cup, so never stir it or drink to the bottom. Say how sweet when ordering: "sade" (no sugar), "orta" (medium) or "şekerli" (sweet). Instant coffee is just "Nescafé".
Served in small tulip-shaped glasses all day long, and always offered to guests.
Sold in most restaurants in cities and resorts, less so in conservative towns. "Bir bira" (beer BEE-ra) is one beer. Tea is still the national drink, offered everywhere and often free.
"Soğan olmadan" (without onion), "buz olmadan" (without ice). Locals more often use the suffix -sız: soğansız, acısız (not spicy). Both are understood instantly.