Greetings
Merhaba
MER-ha-ba
Hello — the universal greeting. 'Selam' is the casual version.
İyi günler
ee-YEE gyoon-LER
'Good day' — the polite greeting AND farewell you use walking into and out of every office and shop.
Bureaucracy
Randevu almak istiyorum
ran-deh-VOO al-MAHK ees-tee-yo-ROOM
'I'd like to make an appointment.' In a capital where everything is booked online first, this is the sentence that runs your life.
Sıra kimde?
suh-RA kim-DEH
'Whose turn is it?' Every public office runs on a numbered ticket (sıra numarası) — take one from the machine at the door before you sit down.
Evrak eksik
ev-RAHK ek-SEEK
'A document is missing' — the four syllables every newcomer dreads at the counter. Always bring photocopies of everything.
Nüfus müdürlüğü
nyoo-FOOS myoo-dyoor-lyoo-YOO
The district population office — where you exchange a foreign driving licence and where civil-registry business happens.
Daily life
Anlamadım
an-la-ma-DUM
'I didn't understand.' English is much thinner here than in Istanbul, and saying this is far better than nodding.
Buz gibi
booz ghee-BEE
'Ice cold' — literally. At 938 m Ankara means it from December to March, unlike anywhere on the coast.
Kar yağıyor
kar ya-uh-YOR
'It's snowing.' A normal Ankara sentence for weeks at a time, and one you'll never say in İzmir.
Food
Bir çay daha
beer chai da-HA
'One more tea.' Tea is poured continuously in every office, shop and waiting room — accepting it is how rapport gets built.
Hesabı ayrı alabilir miyiz?
he-sa-BUH eye-RUH a-la-bee-LEER mee-yeez
'Can we get separate bills?' Splitting is less automatic here than in Western Europe — ask before the bill arrives.
Emergency
İmdat!
eem-DAHT
Help! — for emergencies. Dial 112 for police, fire and ambulance alike.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.