Common Turkish Words That Are Similar to English (Loanwords You Already Know!)

Did you know that many Turkish words sound just like English? Thanks to globalization, historical influences, and modern technology, Turkish has borrowed (and adapted) numerous words from English, French, Arabic, and other languages.

If you're learning Turkish, these loanwords (alıntı kelimeler) can give you a head start in vocabulary! In this post, we’ll explore common Turkish words that are surprisingly similar to English, along with some pronunciation tips.

Why Do Turkish and English Share Similar Words?

Turkish has incorporated foreign words over time due to:

• Modern technology & globalization (e.g., "telefon", "internet")
• French influence in the Ottoman era (e.g., "lamba", "kuaför")
• English dominance in business, science, and pop culture

While some words are directly taken from English, others come via French or Arabic but still sound familiar.

50+ Turkish Words You Already Recognize

1. Technology & Modern Life

Turkish Word + English Meaning + Pronunciation Tip

• Telefon Phone (teh-leh-FON)
• Televizyon Television (teh-leh-VEEZ-yon)
• İnternet Internet (EEN-tehr-net)
• Wi-Fi Wi-Fi (Same as English)
• Tablet Tablet (TAHB-let)
• Laptop Laptop (LAP-top)
• Mouse (computer) Mouse ("mows" - like English)
• Online Online (Same as English)
• Video Video (VEE-deh-oh)
• Selfie Selfie (SELF-ee)

2. Food & Drinks

• Restoran Restaurant (REHS-toh-rahn)
• Menü Menu (MEH-nyu)
• Salata Salad (SAH-lah-tah)
• Sandviç Sandwich (SAHND-veech)
• Pizza Pizza (PEE-tzah)
• Hamburger Hamburger (HAHM-boor-gher)
• Ketçap Ketchup (KET-chap)
• Coca-Cola Coca-Cola (Same as English)
• Bira Beer (from German/French) (BEE-rah)
• Limon Lemon (LEE-mon)

3. Transportation & Travel

• Taksi Taxi (TAHK-see)
• Otobüs Bus (oh-toh-BOOS)
• Tren Train (from French) (TREN)
• Metro Metro (MEH-tro)
• Bilet Ticket (from French "billet") (BEE-let)
• Pasaport Passport (PAH-sah-port)
• Otel Hotel (oh-TEL)
• Turist Tourist (TOO-reest)
• Plaj Beach (from French "plage") (PLAHZH)
• Park Park (PAHRK)

4. Everyday Objects & Shopping

• Market Supermarket (MAHR-ket)
• Aktivite Activity (ahk-TEE-vee-teh)
• Proje Project (PROH-zheh) (French-style "j")
• Faks Fax (FAHKS)
• Fotokopi Photocopy (foh-toh-KOH-pee)
• CD/DVD CD/DVD (Same as English)
• Kamera Camera (KAH-meh-rah)
• Spor Sport (SPOR)
• Jeans Jeans (JEENS)
• Tişört T-shirt (TEE-shurt)

5. Business & Education

• Ofis Office (oh-FEES)
• Konferans Conference (kon-feh-RAHNS)
• Doktor Doctor (DOK-tor)
• Profesör Professor (proh-feh-SUR)
• Öğrenci Student (not from English, but "student" is also understood!) (ur-ren-JEE)
• Ders Lesson (from Arabic, but similar to "course") (DEHRS)
• Test Test (TEST)
• Not Note/Grade (NOT)
• Seminer Seminar (seh-mee-NEHR)
• Staj Internship (from French "stage") (STAHZH)

BONUS: FALSE FRIENDS

False Friends = Words That Sound Similar But Mean Different Things

Some words look familiar but have different meanings:

• Kontrol = Check/Supervision (not just "control")
• Argument (in Turkish, "argüman") = Logical point (not a fight)
• Fabric (in Turkish, "fabrika") = Factory (not cloth)

Why Should You Learn These Words?

• Boost vocabulary quickly – Recognize words instantly.
• Improve pronunciation – Learn Turkish versions of familiar terms.
• Feel more confident – Use them in daily conversations.

Next time you hear a Turkish word that sounds like English, take note—you might already understand more than you think!

Did we miss any familiar words? Let us know in the comments!