Turkish Language Guide

Last Updated on September 8, 2023

Learn some Turkish when you travel to Turkey and your trip will be much easier when searching for a hoteltraveling on public transportation, or ordering meals in restaurants.

Luckily, simple Turkish is fairly easy to learn because Turkish is a logical, phonetic language. The easiest way to learn exactly what you may need on your trip is this:

All students in Turkish schools study English, and some even learn it. French, German and Arabic are also taught (and sometimes learned).

In tourist areas, local tourism personnel may study Greek, Finnish, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish—whatever language a significant number of visitors may speak. But you'll get the most out of your trip if you know a bit of Turkish, too.

1. 100 Travel Words: Turkish

From Hello to December, here they are. Remember: Anyone can learn 100 words™. (You can get an online sample here.)

2. Turkish Cardinal & Ordinal Numbers

From 1 to a trillion, to go with your 100 Most Useful Words.

3. Your Country's Name in Turkish

You gotta be able to tell Turks where you're from.

4. Turkish Language Learning Aids

If you plan to stay in Turkey awhile, consider teaching English to Turks in order to pay the bills. More...

5. Turkish Hand Gestures

Turkish Hands: Gesturing Your Way Home, A Hand Guide for Tourists, by Tara L Alisbah, gives you the rundown on all the meaningful, expressive, funny, cautionary hand gestures you may see while traveling in Turkey.

The author, born in Ankara of Turkish and American parents, is equally at home in Turkey and the USA, and obviously enjoys her role as cultural (and language) interpreter. More...

6. Language Course in Istanbul

A TTP user in London, Susan M, tells me that she took a course at Concept Languages in Istanbul, and that it provided good-quality instruction in comfortable facilities, and represented good value for money.

—by Tom Brosnahan


100 Travel Words: Turkish (ebook)

Good Books on Turkey

Shopping in Turkey

Istanbul Bookshops

Travel Details

Top 10 Turkish Travel Mistakes

Best Times to Go to Turkey

Where to Go in Turkey

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