I can wish someone a happy birthday and happy holidays, say the right good wish to someone who is working, visit someone and welcome a guest, offer tea, and suggest doing something together.
Holidays and guests: who says what to whom
Holidays and guests: who says what to whom
Why: to wish someone a happy holiday, say the right good wish, welcome a guest, and be a guest yourself.
Holiday wishes are set phrases: who says what to whom is in the table. İyi bayramlar! — during bayram, a religious or national holiday (not on New Year's or on a birthday). kutlu olsun goes after the name of the occasion. Mutlu yıllar! — on yılbaşı, New Year's. Tebrikler! — when someone has a success.
English has no word for Kolay gelsin: “may your work go easily”. You say it to anyone busy at work — a salesclerk, a driver, a coworker — when you greet them or leave.
Visiting. The host: Hoş geldiniz! Buyurun, oturun. The guest (misafir): Hoş bulduk. To offer something: … ister misiniz? — “Would you like …?”: Çay ister misiniz? The answer: Evet, lütfen. / Hayır, teşekkür ederim.
To suggest doing something together, use three set phrases: Hadi gidelim! — “Come on, let's go!”; Çay içelim mi? — “Shall we have some tea?”; Yarın buluşalım. — “Let's meet tomorrow.” To agree: Olur.
Watch out: pasta means cake; the English “pasta” is makarna.
Common mistakes:
• NOT “Hoş geldiniz.” — “Teşekkürler.” → Hoş bulduk.
• NOT “Çay istermisiniz?” → Çay ister misiniz?
• NOT “Doğum günün kolay gelsin!” → Doğum günün kutlu olsun!
Holidays: who says what to whom
The set phrase, the situation, and the usual reply.
| Set phrase | To whom and when | How to reply |
|---|---|---|
| İyi bayramlar! | on the days of a bayram — a religious or national holiday (not on New Year's or a birthday) | Size de! |
| Yeni yılınız kutlu olsun! | after the name of the occasion: New Year's, a holiday, a birthday | Teşekkür ederim. |
| Mutlu yıllar! | on New Year's Eve | Mutlu yıllar! |
| Tebrikler! | to someone who has had a success | Teşekkürler. |
| Kolay gelsin! | to someone who is working or busy | Sağ olun. |
| Hayırlı olsun! | about something new: an apartment, a job, a purchase | Teşekkürler. |
| Hayırlı işler! | to the salesclerk, as you leave | Sağ olun. |
| Çok yaşa! | to someone who has sneezed | Sen de gör! |
Lesson notes
Holidays and guests: who says what to whom
Why: to wish someone a happy holiday, say the right good wish, welcome a guest, and be a guest yourself.
Holiday wishes are set phrases: who says what to whom is in the table. İyi bayramlar! — during bayram, a religious or national holiday (not on New Year's or on a birthday). kutlu olsun goes after the name of the occasion. Mutlu yıllar! — on yılbaşı, New Year's. Tebrikler! — when someone has a success.
English has no word for Kolay gelsin: “may your work go easily”. You say it to anyone busy at work — a salesclerk, a driver, a coworker — when you greet them or leave.
Visiting. The host: Hoş geldiniz! Buyurun, oturun. The guest (misafir): Hoş bulduk. To offer something: … ister misiniz? — “Would you like …?”: Çay ister misiniz? The answer: Evet, lütfen. / Hayır, teşekkür ederim.
To suggest doing something together, use three set phrases: Hadi gidelim! — “Come on, let's go!”; Çay içelim mi? — “Shall we have some tea?”; Yarın buluşalım. — “Let's meet tomorrow.” To agree: Olur.
Watch out: pasta means cake; the English “pasta” is makarna.
Common mistakes:
• NOT “Hoş geldiniz.” — “Teşekkürler.” → Hoş bulduk.
• NOT “Çay istermisiniz?” → Çay ister misiniz?
• NOT “Doğum günün kolay gelsin!” → Doğum günün kutlu olsun!