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Spring in Istanbul

How to Say Thank You in Turkish: Tea, Sugar, A Dream

You are here: Home / Asia / Turkey / How to Say Thank You in Turkish: Tea, Sugar, A Dream

//  by Lisa 2 Comments

[updated December 2019]

 

Easily learn how to say thank you in Turkish. Here’s a very simple trick that the locals taught me so I always remember how to say thanks in Turkish!

 

I lived and worked in Istanbul for three months during one summer. I had no idea I was going to stay that long until I arrived and so many lovely Turks offered me help.

One of the first things I learned, of course, was how to say thank you in Turkish. It’s best to learn this in any language, but since I was living and working here, it went a long way. Plus learning how to say “no, thank you” is probably just as important so you can  avoid any issues with the expected attention from Turkish men.

If you learn just a few words in the native tongue of the country you are visiting, it really makes a difference in how locals treat you.

How to Say Thank You in Turkish

Istanbul and the Bosphorous - Thank you in Turkish
Istanbul and the Bosphorous

In Turkish, the words for ‘thank you’ are teşekkür ederim, pronounced tesh-e-koor eh-deh-rem. An easy way to remember it is to say “tea, sugar, a dream.” It’s not exactly the same of course, but you can use it as a tool to remember the words.

Many shop owners I met in one of the best neighborhoods in Istanbul, the old town, Sultanahmet, told me this. Not only does it sort of sound like the phrase, it is also poignant since having tea with a local in Turkey (or so many other parts of the world) is a way of connecting.

It is the perfect way to think of ‘thank you’ and a great way really to think of the Turkish people who were overwhelmingly hospitable and friendly. At first, you may be overwhelmed (especially as a woman) with so many Turkish men and shop owners talking to you, trying to sell you rugs, and offer you tea, but once you get to know the Turks, they are extremely warm, generous, and giving.

 

Read More: Learn about the best neighborhoods to visit in Istanbul

 

How to Say No Thank You in Turkish

Also, it’s good to know the more informal “thanks” is teşekkürler, pronounced tesh-eh-koo-lehr.  And, honestly just as important is now to say “no thank you” which is Hayir Sağol (hi-ear sa-owl).

In Turkish there’s a slight difference between sağol and teşekkürler. Sağol has a deeper meaning to wish the person to live well and healthy.

 

Read More: What and Where to Eat in Istanbul

 

Time to Leave Turkey

train stations Istanbul
Yesilkoy – Istanbul

I just wanted to take a second to thank everyone for their thoughtful responses to my last post on whether I should stay in Istanbul or move on and start traveling again. I was very touched by all the wonderful and heartfelt comments I received—some from old friends from ‘way back when’ and others from brand new friends that I’ve met recently during my travels.

It is so amazing to me to be so far away and yet so many friends drop what they are doing to send me an email to give me honest advice. It brightened my spirits tremendously.

Istanbul Apartment
Istanbul – Cidem & Ahmet’s

The most common thing I heard was how many were surprised that I hadn’t had these reflective moments sooner. I think I have had them here and there, but not this intensely simply because I’ve had a lot of time in Istanbul to get lost in my own brain—a sometimes scary, scary place!

I am trying to NOT worry about ‘what I will do when I get home… or for the rest of my life’ now. It’s not always easy, but I do want to live in the moment and that is what I should be doing. I have really enjoyed this trip and have found myself smiling while I tell others about it—so I know it’s been amazing.

Tan Lisa in Turkey

Instead of going for a ‘visa run’ after my three month tourist visa expires, I will most likely say goodbye to Turkey and head north to parts of Eastern Europe, starting in Romania. I do like Turkey and could easily stay here… but there are more places I want to see to feel like I’ve ‘completed’ my journey.

I have stayed here longer than anywhere else I’ve stayed on my entire trip and I really do like Istanbul. It is chock full of some of the friendliest, most helpful people I’ve met anywhere in the world. And I will probably be in tears the first few days after I leave too… because I have really made a nice circle of good, kind friends here—who even dragged my ass out during my down in the dumps day and made me feel better too. It’s great to always have friends around me physically and in spirit, even when I’m this far away!

 

Tea, sugar, a dream.




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About Lisa

Lisa Lubin is an established travel/food writer and photographer, three-time Emmy® award-winning TV producer, video consultant, and travel industry expert. After more than a decade in broadcast television she took a sabbatical, which turned into three years traveling around the world. She created this blog in 2006. Lisa also owns LLmedia, a media & video consulting business. Her writing and photography has been published by American Way, Hemispheres, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, West Jet Magazine, Scandinavian Traveler, Orbitz, and Luxury Las Vegas. Her book, The Ultimate Travel Tips: Essential Advice for Your Adventures, is available on Amazon.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kevin Fitzpatrick

    July 13, 2007 at 11:45 am

    Coffee, sweet & low, a dillusion. This means "you're welcome" in a language I have yet to name. First I need a country and some natives to speak my new language. I'm guessing this will take me most of the day to complete, so I'll get back to you with the particulars.
    Glad your "ass" and the rest of you are out of the dumps. Europe has been warned of your impending arrival. Word is that several countries are vying for the position of being the first one visited by you. It appears wagering is even part of it. Monrovia and Albania are offering the best paying odds at the moment. This could change in a heartbeat though. Lichtenstein is moving up on the board. France is offended of course because……well, their France. Tea, sugar, a dream. Toodles

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Slow Travel: Best Neighborhoods to Visit in Istanbul • LL World Tour says:
    October 31, 2019 at 7:25 am

    […] If it’s your first time in Istanbul, this area is a must. Just be mindful of the touts always trying to sell you tours or a meal at their restaurant. It can be a bit much, but it’s their job. Just use a firm “no, thank you” (or Hayir, tessekur ederim if you want to try speaking in Turkish). […]

    Reply

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Lisa LubinI chucked it all – the TV job, the guy, the “normal” life – to travel around the world. I've been to 60+ countries & live a life based more on experiences. I want to inspire you to travel slowly & eat locally! MORE...

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