What is a common mistake with “İyi geceler”?

✗ İyi geceler (when arriving) → ✓ İyi akşamlar: Geceler is only for parting.

Phrase 5 of 500

How to say “Good night” in Turkish

Q: How is “İyi geceler” used in a conversation?

Deniz: Ben yatıyorum, iyi geceler! (I'm going to bed, good night!) Baba: İyi geceler, tatlı rüyalar. (Good night, sweet dreams.)

İyi geceler!

ee·yee geh·jeh·lehr

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Meaning: Good night!
Pronunciation: ee·yee geh·jeh·lehr

What “İyi geceler” really means

İyi geceler means "good night" and is said when you part late in the evening or go to bed. It is a goodbye, not a hello. Families say it to each other before sleeping and friends write it at the end of a late chat.

💬 Example dialogues

DenizBen yatıyorum, iyi geceler!I'm going to bed, good night!

Babaİyi geceler, tatlı rüyalar.Good night, sweet dreams.

CanGeç oldu, ben kalkayım. İyi geceler!It's late, I'll get going. Good night!

AyşeSana da iyi geceler, dikkatli git.Good night to you too, get home safe.

🚫 When NOT to use it

Never use it to greet someone you meet at night. Walking into a restaurant at 22:00 you still say "İyi akşamlar".

🇹🇷 Culture note

"Tatlı rüyalar" (sweet dreams) is the cute addition for children and partners. "Allah rahatlık versin" is the traditional, slightly religious version you hear from grandparents.

⚠️ Common mistakes

✗ İyi geceler (when arriving) → ✓ İyi akşamlarGeceler is only for parting.

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

C c like j in “jam”
İ i like ee in “see”