How to Say Thank You in Turkish, and How to Reply

Thank you in Turkish is teşekkür ederim, pronounced teh-shek-kewr eh-deh-rim. It works with anyone, anywhere. Among friends you'll hear sağ ol (saa ol) or teşekkürler (teh-shek-kewr-ler) far more often, and the usual reply is rica ederim (ree-jah eh-deh-rim), "you're welcome".

There are several because Turkish keeps polite and familiar speech apart. Which one you pick depends on who you're talking to, and a little on how big the favour was. If some letters are new to you, the Turkish alphabet and pronunciation guide covers every sound.

Thank you in Turkish by register

Teşekkür comes from Arabic, according to the TDK's Güncel Türkçe Sözlük, and ederim means "I do". Put together, that's "I do thanks". Sağ ol is native Turkish and means "be healthy" or "stay alive", which is why it feels warmer to many speakers.

When to use each form

You can't go wrong with teşekkür ederim. Use it with shop staff, officials, teachers, your landlord and anyone older than you. Add çok when someone has gone out of their way for you.

Teşekkürler is a shade lighter, the way "thanks" is lighter than "thank you". You'll see it a lot in emails and text messages, often as Teşekkürler, iyi günler.

Sağ ol and sağ olun are what people actually say out loud most of the day. Use sağ olun for anyone you address with the polite siz, and sağ ol for friends, family and children. A taxi driver, a neighbour or a waiter will hear sağ olun from most Turks.

Eyvallah is casual and leans masculine. It's common among friends, in the street and with tradespeople. TDK lists three uses for it: goodbye, thank you, and "fine, I accept". Avoid it in an office or with someone much older unless they use it with you first.

Allah razı olsun is heard from older people, often after real help, such as carrying shopping or helping a sick relative. You don't have to say it yourself. Just recognise it when an older neighbour says it to you.

Thanks for something specific

To say what you're thanking someone for, use için (for):

• Yardımınız için teşekkür ederim. Thank you for your help.
• Her şey için teşekkürler. Thanks for everything.
• Davetiniz için çok teşekkür ederiz. Thank you very much for your invitation (from we).

To name the person, teşekkür etmek takes the dative: Size teşekkür ederim, Sana teşekkür ederim. The Turkish cases guide explains that ending.

Thanks for specific situations

Some situations have their own phrase, and a plain teşekkür ederim sounds a little flat there.

Elinize sağlık is how you thank someone for food. Say it to whoever cooked, and expect to hear afiyet olsun (enjoy) in return. More phrases like this are in our guide to Turkish greetings and everyday phrases.

How to reply to thank you in Turkish

Rica ederim literally means "I request", as in "I ask you not to mention it". It's safe anywhere. Among friends, most people say bir şey değil or ne demek instead.

When someone says sağ ol, answer with sen de sağ ol, or siz de sağ olun if you call them siz. You're handing the good wish back. Estağfurullah is a modest reply to thanks or praise, common with older speakers.

Pronunciation tips for English speakers

1. ş is "sh": teşekkür sounds like teh-shek-kewr, never te-sek-kur.
2. ü has no English match. Say "ee" and round your lips as if for "oo". That's the vowel in kür.
3. Hold the double k in teşekkür for a split second, as in "black cat".
4. ğ is silent here: sağ sounds like a long saa, so sağ ol is close to saa ol.
5. The ı in razı and asıl is the short vowel in the second syllable of "roses". Don't turn it into "ee".
6. c is "j", so rica sounds like ree-jah.

Common mistakes

• Typing it without Turkish letters. Tesekkur ederim is fine in a quick text, but in anything formal write teşekkür ederim.
• Saying sağ ol to an official or an elderly stranger. Add the -un: sağ olun.
• Saying teşekkür on its own. It sounds cut off, like half a sentence. Say teşekkürler or teşekkür ederim.
• Answering afiyet olsun with rica ederim. The usual answer is teşekkür ederim or sağ olun.

Two short dialogues

At a pharmacy:

• Pharmacist: Buyurun, ilacınız.
• You: Teşekkür ederim. İyi günler.
• Pharmacist: Rica ederim, geçmiş olsun.

Before the thank you, you'll usually hear a price. Our guide to Turkish numbers, time and prices helps you catch it.

Between friends, after dinner:

• Deniz: Afiyet olsun!
• You: Eline sağlık, her şey çok güzeldi. Çok teşekkürler.
• Deniz: Ne demek, yine bekleriz.

If you're preparing for a first visit with a Turkish family, learning Turkish for your partner has the phrases for meals and family visits. The I love you in Turkish and hello in Turkish guides cover two more phrases you'll use every day.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common way to say thank you in Turkish?

Teşekkür ederim is the standard form and fits every situation. In everyday speech sağ ol and sağ olun are just as common.

What is the difference between teşekkürler and teşekkür ederim?

Both mean thank you. Teşekkürler is slightly lighter, a bit like "thanks", and is very common in messages. Teşekkür ederim is the full form.

How do you say "you're welcome" in Turkish?

Rica ederim works in any setting. With friends, bir şey değil or ne demek sound more relaxed.

Is eyvallah rude?

No, but it's very casual. Use it with friends and people your own age, not in formal settings.

The phrases themselves take a day. Reaching for sen or siz without stopping to think takes longer, and that's easier to practise with someone who will correct you. Our teacher Ceylan is a native speaker with an MA in Teaching Turkish, and she can explain in English when you need it. You can check your level with the free level test and then ask for a free trial lesson of 20 to 30 minutes.