How to learn Turkish from scratch
Learning Turkish from scratch can be an exciting and structured process! Here's a detailed roadmap to guide you through the journey:
How to learn Turkish from scratch
1. Understand the Turkish Language Basics
Turkish is an agglutinative language, which means suffixes are added to base words to convey meaning (tense, possession, plural, etc.). It has vowel harmony, where vowels within a word harmonize to create a smoother sound.
Key Features of Turkish
Turkish Alphabet
Turkish uses the Latin alphabet with a few additional letters like "ç", "ğ", "ş", "ı", "ö", and "ü". These are important to master early.
Learn the Turkish alphabet with this lesson!
Turkish Pronunciation
Most letters in Turkish are pronounced as written, which makes reading easier once you understand the rules.
Word Order in Turkish
The basic word order in Turkish is Subject-Object-Verb (SOV), unlike English which is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO).
Learn the word order in Turkish with this lesson!
2. Start with Pronunciation and the Alphabet
Master the Alphabet
Begin by learning how each letter is pronounced. Use online resources like YouTube or language apps to hear the sounds.
Practice Pronunciation
Repeatedly listen to native speakers and try to imitate them.
3. Get Basic Turkish Vocabulary
Common Turkish Words and Phrases
Start by learning everyday vocabulary like greetings, numbers, colors, days of the week, and basic sentences.
Use Turkish Flashcards
Apps like **Anki** or **Memrise** can help reinforce vocabulary. Make flashcards with words and pictures for quicker retention.
4. Learn Basic Turkish Grammar
Understanding Turkish grammar is key because the structure is different from English. Focus on these core areas:
Vowel Harmony in Turkish
Learn the rules of vowel harmony. Turkish has two types of vowels (front and back vowels) that need to harmonize in words.
Learn the vowel harmony in Turkish with this lesson!
Basic Sentence Structure in Turkish
Learn to form simple sentences. For example:
- Ben bir öğrenciyim. I am a student.
- O bir kitap okuyor. He / She is reading a book.
Turkish Suffixes
Turkish uses suffixes for almost everything (plurals, possession, tense, etc.). For example:
- Plural suffix -lar/-ler (depends on vowel harmony) → kitaplar books
- Possession "-im" for “my” (e.g., kitabım – my book)
5. Practice Listening and Speaking
Watch Turkish TV Series / Movies
Exposure to real-world language will help you with pronunciation, sentence structure, and cultural nuances. Netflix has several Turkish dramas with subtitles.
Listen to Turkish Music and Podcasts
Tune in to Turkish radio stations, music playlists, or language-learning podcasts. Listening regularly will improve comprehension.
Language Exchange
Apps like HelloTalk or Tandem allow you to connect with native Turkish speakers who can help you practice speaking.
6. Learn Intermediate Turkish Grammar
Once you’re comfortable with basic grammar, move on to more complex structures:
Verb Conjugation in Turkish
Learn how verbs change depending on the subject and tense. For example:
okumak to read → okuyorum I am reading, okuyorsun you are reading
Verb Tenses in Turkish
Turkish has several tenses like present continuous, past, and future. Start with the most commonly used. For example:
- Present Continuous Tense Yapıyorum I am doing
- Past Tense Yaptım I did
- Future Yapacağım I will do
Learn the basic verb tenses in Turkish with this lesson!
Noun Cases in Turkish
Turkish has 6 cases (Nominative, Accusative, Dative, Locative, Ablative, Genitive). Each modifies the noun to indicate its role in the sentence. For example:
- Nominative kitap book
- Accusative kitabı the book
7. Practice Writing
Daily Journals
Start keeping a small journal where you write simple sentences about your day in Turkish.
Use Language Apps
Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Busuu offer Turkish courses that progressively teach writing through structured lessons.
Practice Turkish with Turkish Writing Lessons A1!
Practice Turkish with Turkish Writing Lessons A2!
8. Advanced Practice
Immerse Yourself in the Language
As you get more comfortable, immerse yourself deeper by trying to read Turkish newspapers, blogs, or short stories.
Conversations
Practice speaking with native speakers, either by hiring a tutor or by participating in language exchange groups.
9. Turkish Grammar and Vocabulary Books
Invest in good, structured Turkish grammar courses like:
Download Turkish Grammar Courses 1 A1
Download Turkish Grammar Courses 2 A2
10. Consistency and Practice
Language learning takes time, and consistent practice is key. Set aside time each day to: - Review vocabulary.
Practice speaking and listening:
Download Turkish Speaking Practice Course 1 A1!
Download Turkish Speaking Practice Course 2 A2!
By following this roadmap, you'll gradually improve your Turkish from beginner to a more advanced level! If you need further help or specific resources, feel free to ask!
Thank you very much for your interest and visiting Dem Turkish Center bookstore!
Turkish Language Materials
