A little goes a long way
English is widely spoken in Antalya's hotels, restaurants and shops, so you won't be stuck — but using even basic Turkish is consistently well received, and it's genuinely appreciated outside the busiest tourist strips.
Useful phrases
| Turkish | English |
|---|---|
| Merhaba | Hello |
| Günaydın | Good morning |
| İyi akşamlar | Good evening |
| Teşekkür ederim | Thank you |
| Lütfen | Please |
| Evet / Hayır | Yes / No |
| Nasılsınız? | How are you? (formal) |
| Rica ederim | You're welcome |
| Ne kadar? | How much? |
| Hesap lütfen | The bill, please |
| Nerede? | Where is...? |
| Anlamıyorum | I don't understand |
| İngilizce biliyor musunuz? | Do you speak English? |
| Afiyet olsun | Enjoy your meal (said to others) |
| Güle güle | Goodbye (said to the person leaving) |
| Hoşça kal | Goodbye (said by the person leaving) |
A few pronunciation notes
- ı (dotless i) is a distinct sound from i — roughly like the "u" in "radium."
- ş is pronounced "sh," and ç is pronounced "ch."
- ğ (soft g) is generally silent, lengthening the preceding vowel instead.
- Turkish is read phonetically once you know the letters — there are far fewer exceptions than in English.
Our take: "Merhaba," "teşekkür ederim" and "hesap lütfen" alone will cover a surprising number of everyday interactions, and are worth memorising before you land.