What is a common mistake with “Bakar mısınız”?

✗ Garson! → ✓ Bakar mısınız?: Shouting the job title sounds rude.

Phrase 101 of 500

How to say “Excuse me! (calling the waiter)” in Turkish

Q: How is “Bakar mısınız” used in a conversation?

Ben: Bakar mısınız? (Excuse me!) Garson: Buyurun, efendim. (Yes, sir?) Ben: Hesap lütfen. (The bill, please.)

Bakar mısınız?

bah·kahr muh·suh·nuhz

Listen

Meaning: Excuse me! (calling the waiter)
Pronunciation: bah·kahr muh·suh·nuhz

What “Bakar mısınız” really means

Bakar mısınız? literally means "Would you look?" and is the polite way to call a waiter, a shop assistant or anyone serving you. Say it clearly when the waiter passes, with a small hand raise.

💬 Example dialogues

BenBakar mısınız?Excuse me!

GarsonBuyurun, efendim.Yes, sir?

BenHesap lütfen.The bill, please.

TuristBakar mısınız, bu kaç lira?Excuse me, how much is this?

SatıcıYüz elli lira.A hundred and fifty lira.

🚫 When NOT to use it

Do not whistle, snap your fingers or shout "Garson!"; it is rude. Among friends at home, "Baksana!" (hey, look) is the casual version, but not for staff.

🇹🇷 Culture note

Waiters in Türkiye watch the tables closely. Often a look or a raised hand is enough, and Bakar mısınız? does the rest.

⚠️ Common mistakes

✗ Garson! → ✓ Bakar mısınız?Shouting the job title sounds rude.

Culture tip

Call the waiter with Bakar mısınız? At the end, friends fight over the bill: Ayıp ettin, bu benden!

Letters to watch in this sentence

I ı no dot: a relaxed “uh”, like the e in “open”