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How to say “Hello” in Turkish

Merhaba!
mehr·hah·bah
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Meaning
Hello!
Pronunciation
mehr·hah·bah

What “Merhaba” really means

Merhaba is the safest greeting in Turkish. It works at any hour, with strangers and friends, in shops, offices and on the phone. It comes from Arabic and sounds a little more neutral than the casual "Selam". When you walk into a small shop, a quick "Merhaba!" to the person behind the counter is normal and friendly.

💬 Example dialogues

AyşeMerhaba!Hello!

CanMerhaba, hoş geldiniz.Hello, welcome.

AyşeHoş bulduk.Glad to be here.

EmreMerhaba, bir şey sorabilir miyim?Hello, can I ask something?

ZeynepTabii, buyurun.Of course, go ahead.

🚫 When NOT to use it

With close friends "Selam!" or "N'aber?" sounds warmer. In very formal letters or speeches people prefer "İyi günler" or "Sayın…". Merhaba is never rude, it is just a bit plain among best friends.

🇹🇷 Culture note

Turks greet everyone in a room, not just one person. Elders are greeted first. A handshake is common between men; between men and women, wait to see if a hand is offered.

⚠️ Common mistakes

  • ✗ Merhaba, nasılsın? (to a busy shopkeeper) → ✓ Merhaba, kolay gelsin!With people at work, "Kolay gelsin" sounds more natural than asking how they are.

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.

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