How to Say Hello in Turkish: 15 Greetings for Every Situation

Learn how to greet someone in Turkish like a local — 15 ways to say hello, goodbye, and welcome, with the right one for each social context. Plus pronunciation tips and cultural notes.

"Merhaba" is the textbook Turkish greeting — but Turks use a dozen different greetings depending on time of day, formality, and context. Here are 15 you''ll actually hear in Turkey. The Universal Greetings 1. Merhaba (mer ha BAH) — "Hello" The all purpose greeting. Works any time, any place, with anyone. Borrowed from Arabic. Safe default. 2. Selam (seh LAHM) — "Hi" Casual. Like "hey" or "hi." Use with friends and peers. Don''t use in formal/business situations. 3. Selamün aleyküm (seh lah MUEN ah lay KOOM) — "Peace be upon you" Religious greeting, common in mosques or among observant Muslims. Reply : "Aleyküm selam" (And peace upon you). Time Specific Greetings 4. Günaydın (gue nigh DUHN) — "Good morning" Used until about 11 AM. Literally "moonlight of the day." 5. İyi günler (ee yee guen…