Ways of Addressing People in Turkey

How to address people in Turkey. What are the ways of addressing Turkish people in Turkey?

Learn the words "Abi, Abla, Bey, Hanım, etc" in Turkish language.

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WAYS OF ADDRESSING PEOPLE IN TURKISH

What is "Abi" in Turkish?

The word Abi is big brother, short form of "ağabey" in Turkish language. It's also used to address senior males, showing love and respect just as to a big brother. It is also used for “bro” between male friends (and even between girls).

<ğ>"Abi" is one of the most common words used by Turkish people:

• Bakar mısın Abi? Excuse me Abi?
• Abi bu kaç para? Abi, how much is this?
• Buyur Abi? How can I help you Abi?
• N’aber Abi? How are you Abi?
• Tamam Abi. Yok Abi. Var Abi. Sağ ol Abi ...

Turkish Vocabulary: Family Members in Turkish

What is "Abla" in Turkish?

The word Abla is big sister in Turkish language. It's used to address girls or women, showing love and respect just as to a big sister.

"Abla", like "abi", is heard quite often in the street:

• Bakar mısın Abla? Excue me Abla?
• Abla bu kaç para? Abla, how much is this?
• Buyur Abla? How can I help you Abla?
• N’aber Abla? How are you Abla?
• Tamam Abla. Yok Abla. Var Abla. Sağ ol Abla ...

Other ways of addressing people in Turkish

Amca Uncle

The word Amca is uncle, father’s brother; a form of address used for older men to show respect. Just like abi, abla, teyze, "amca" is an expression of respect you can hear on the streets, in shops and many other places that is said to older men:

Buyurun Amca. Tamam Amca. Affedersin Amca. Bakar mısın Amca? Var Amca. Yok Amca. Tabii Amca ...

Bay Mister

The word Bay is mister, used before names and surnames e.g. Bay Ali Akpınar.

It is a formal title and used on documents.

Bayan Ms, Mss, Msr

The word Bayan is Ms, Mss, Msr used before female names and surnames e.g. Bayan Ayşe Özkan.

It is a formal title and used on documents.

Bey Mister

The word Bey is Mister used after male names both formally and informally e.g. Ali Bey.

Beyefendi Mister, Sir

The word Beyefendi is Mister, gentleman, sir e.g. Buyurun Beyefendi. Beyefendi, bakar mısınız?

Efendi

The word Efendi is a title used with either the names or the positions of men whose socioeconomic status is relatively humble, e.g. doormen, grocers, domestic servants, gardeners etc.

Efendi comes from “authens” (absolute dominant, master) in old Greek. It was later used as “aftendis” in Rumca (Anatolian Greek) and changed into efendi, efendim in Turkish.

During the Ottoman period the word was used for well-educated people, bureaucrats, academicians, paşa and so on.

Common use of the word is as follows: Efendim? Excuse me? Pardon? Alo? Tabi efendim. Certainly sir/madam.

Hanım

The word Hanım is a title used for women, Mss, Mrs, Ms. It is used with the first name both formally and informally e.g. Ayşe Hanım.

Hanımefendi Madam

The word Hanımefendi is Ms, Mrs, Madam e.g. "Bakar mısınız, Hanımefendi? Buyurun, Hanımefendi?"

Kanka

The word Kanka is Bro, short way of saying kankardeş (bloodbrother).

60 Common Turkish Slang Words & Phrases For Everyday Use

Teyze Aunt

The word Teyze is Aunt, mother’s sister; a form of address used for older women to show respect.

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