Phrase 2 of 500
How to say “Good morning” in Turkish
- Meaning
- Good morning!
- Pronunciation
- gew·nai·duhn
What “Günaydın” really means
Günaydın means "good morning" and is used until about 11:00 or noon. It is one word: gün (day) + aydın (bright). You say it to family at breakfast, to colleagues when you arrive and to the baker when you buy your simit.
💬 Example dialogues
SelinGünaydın anne!Good morning, mom!
AnneGünaydın kızım, kahvaltı hazır.Good morning, sweetie, breakfast is ready.
MuratGünaydın, kolay gelsin.Good morning, may your work be easy.
FırıncıGünaydın, buyurun!Good morning, what can I get you?
🚫 When NOT to use it
Do not say Günaydın in the afternoon or evening. After noon switch to "İyi günler" or "Merhaba", in the evening to "İyi akşamlar".
🇹🇷 Culture note
Among friends you will hear the joking reply "Günaydın, uyuyan güzel!" (Good morning, sleeping beauty) when someone wakes up late.
⚠️ Common mistakes
- ✗ Gün aydın → ✓ GünaydınIt is written as one word.
Culture tip
When you arrive, Turks say Hoş geldiniz! and you answer Hoş bulduk! When you leave, you say Hoşça kal, and the person staying says Güle güle.
Letters to watch in this sentence
- I ı no dot: a relaxed “uh”, like the e in “open”
- Ü ü say “ee” with rounded lips (French u)
Related phrases
More phrases in this unit
- Merhaba!Hello!
- İyi günler!Have a nice day!
- İyi akşamlar!Good evening!
- İyi geceler!Good night!
- Nasılsın?How are you?
- Nasılsınız?How are you? (polite)
- İyiyim, teşekkürler.I'm fine, thanks.
- Sen nasılsın?And how are you?
- Fena değil.Not bad.
- Ne var ne yok?What's up?
- Hoş geldiniz!Welcome!
- Hoş bulduk!Glad to be here! (reply to "welcome")
- Görüşürüz!See you!
- Yarın görüşürüz.See you tomorrow.
- Hoşça kal!Goodbye! (said by the one leaving)
- Güle güle!Bye! (said by the one staying)
- Kendine iyi bak!Take care!
- Selamünaleyküm.Peace be upon you.
- Aleykümselam.And peace be upon you too.