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Prerequisites for this Turkish Vocabulary Lesson
Intro to the Turkish AlphabetTurkish letters
Audio samples
What words should you learn first?
When you set out to learn a new language, it can be hard to decide what words to learn first. But for most people, the best words to start with are the most common words in the language.
Besides these, you’ll also want to learn some less common words that are important for your specific situation. For example, if you are a student, you’ll probably want to learn words like “student,” “teacher,” “exam,” and “class” much earlier than other people who are not students.
You will also want to know words for things that are common in Turkish culture that you are not used to using in your everyday life in your home country. For example, Americans don’t tend to use eggplant as a basic ingredient in everyday cooking, but it is very common in Turkish dishes.
Finally, there are some words that you will need to know in order to get things done. For example, if you are getting ready to go looking for a place to rent, you should brush up on your vocabulary for concepts like “apartment building,” “for rent,” “realtor,” etc.
The problem(s) with frequency lists
There are several lists available on the Internet that claim to be the most common words in Turkish. These are called “frequency lists.” However, not all the frequency lists are the same. Each list has its pros and cons based on how they were collected and what sources they used:
One list we found was apparently compiled from written materials online like news articles. The problem with this is that it is the most common words in written Turkish, not in spoken Turkish. Lists like those will have a lot of words for complex ideas and will be heavy on concepts like politics that you might not need to learn early in your language learning journey.
Another frequency list we looked at was compiled using subtitles from movies and TV shows. That list is more helpful for learning the most common words in spoken Turkish. However, the majority of the content that list was compiled from was from English language shows translated into Turkish. So some of the words in the list that are “common” in shows are not very common in daily speech. Plus, the way they counted words as different from each other splits up different forms of the same verb into separate “words,” so it counts all verbs as much less common than they actually are.
How we made this Turkish frequency list
We have compiled just over 1000 of the most common words in Turkish – words that every language learner will need to learn and use in the first few months of language learning, regardless of your specific context.
To make this list, we started with the list of the top 1000 words in written Turkish. From this list, we removed a lot of the words that are common in things like newspapers but not as common in everyday speech.
We also added words from a list of the first 1800 words that a Turkish language learner recorded in the first few months of language learning. From this list, we removed a lot of the words that were necessary for that language learner’s specific situation. From this list we added in words like “lavabo” (bathroom / sink) and “mahalle” (neighborhood). These words don’t show up in frequency lists but are really important for foreigners to learn early on.
We also removed a lot of common grammatical words like “için” (for) and “ki” (“the one that is…”). We did this because it is only helpful for you to know what these words mean if you know how to use them in a sentence. For learning grammar words like these, we recommend you learn them one-by-one, each in a separate lesson.
We also provided our own English translation of each word. For this, we tried to make the definition as simple and easy-to-memorize as possible. For words with more than one common meaning, we included each meaning separated by a comma.
The result is a balanced list of the most common and most important words for language learners to learn in their first few months.
Here's the list: the 1000+ most common words in Turkish
Feel free to copy/paste this list of words into a spreadsheet, import them into your favorite flashcard app, print them out or use them in any other way that is helpful for your personal language learning.
You can also feel free to distribute them elsewhere for free – just make sure to leave a link to this page to show where you got the list from.
If you see any issues with the list we’ve made, or if you think we left something out, please let us know in the comments section below.
| Turkish | English meaning(s) |
 | Older brother |
| Older sister |
| I wonder |
| Pain, bitter, spicy |
| Open |
| To be hungry |
| Emergency |
| To open |
| Name |
| Man |
| Piece, unit |
| Step |
| Address |
| Tree |
| Heavy |
| Mouth |
| To cry |
| Family |
| Mind |
| Smart, clever |
| To flow |
| Evening |
| Area |
| To adjust |
| To go shopping |
| God |
| To take |
| Six |
| Gold |
| Sixty |
| But |
| Purpose |
| Uncle (father's brother) |
| Moment |
| Meaning |
| To understand |
| To be understood |
| To explain |
| Mother |
| Apartment building |
| Car |
| Tool, vehicle |
| December |
| To search for, to call (on the phone) |
| To research |
| Bee |
| Friend |
| Pear |
| Anymore (these days) |
| To increase |
| Actual |
| Extreme |
| Romantic love |
| Soldier |
| Never |
| Actually |
| Horse |
| Fire |
| To jump |
| To throw |
| Moon, month |
| Foot |
| Shoe |
| Bear |
| To separate |
| Mirror |
| Similar |
| Separate |
| To be separated |
| Little |
| Dad |
| Leg |
| To shout |
| To tie, to connect |
| Garden |
| Minister (government) |
| View |
| To look |
| Fish |
| Bank |
| Tape, band, strip |
| Bathroom (with a shower or bath) |
| Glass (cup) |
| Peace (not at war) |
| Head |
| Success |
| Basic, simple |
| Other |
| President, chairman |
| Pressure |
| To start |
| To step, to press |
| West |
| To sink |
| Blanket |
| Flag |
| Holiday |
| Sometimes |
| Some |
| Baby |
| Free |
| Body (or clothing size) |
| To like |
| Single (not married) |
| To wait |
| Waist, lower back |
| Municipality |
| Document |
| Maybe |
| Clear, obvious |
| To look like |
| Gasoline |
| Together |
| Five |
| Mr. |
| White |
| Brain |
| Cloth (or diaper) |
| Knife |
| Shape |
| Ticket |
| Information |
| Computer |
| Science |
| To know |
| Thousand |
| Building |
| To ride, to get on (a bus) |
| One |
| To leave something |
| A little |
| A lot |
| Someone, one of them |
| First |
| Someone |
| A few |
| Together |
| To finish (something) |
| Plant |
| To be finished |
| Bug |
| Throat |
| Region |
| To divide |
| Division, chapter |
| Pipe |
| Empty |
| To empty (something) |
| To get divorced |
| Size |
| To paint, to dye (something) |
| Neck |
| Broken (stopped working) |
| To be broken (stop working) |
| Today |
| To find |
| To meet up with |
| Here, at/in this place |
| This place |
| Nose |
| All, entire |
| Big |
| To grow (bigger) |
| Quick |
| Street |
| To invite, to call |
| To work |
| To steal, to play (an instrument) |
| Glasses |
| Laundry |
| Mosque |
| Life, soul |
| Alive, live broadcast |
| Bag (backpack, purse) |
| To crash |
| Wednesday |
| Fork |
| Tea |
| Teapot |
| To pull |
| Type, variety |
| To answer |
| To flip, to translate something |
| Environment |
| Quarter (25%) |
| Punishment |
| Flower |
| Serious |
| Double |
| Farmer |
| Electronic device |
| To take off, to remove |
| To leave, climb |
| Ugly |
| Line, drawing |
| Child |
| Very, many |
| Sock |
| To solve, to untie |
| Resolution |
| Friday |
| Saturday |
| Sentence |
| Because |
| Mountain |
| Less |
| More |
| Apartment, circle |
| Minute |
| Drop (of liquid) |
| To dance |
| To invite |
| behavior |
| To behave (in a certain way) |
| To endure |
| Notebook |
| Value |
| Not |
| (For something) to change |
| To change (something) |
| Hole |
| To say, it means... |
| To try |
| Balance |
| Sea |
| Earthquake |
| Degrees (temperature) |
| Skin |
| Deep |
| Class |
| Support |
| To continue |
| Government |
| The other (one) |
| Steep |
| To be careful |
| Tongue (or language) |
| Religion |
| To listen |
| To rest |
| To be resurrected |
| Tooth |
| Knee |
| Natural |
| Natural Gas |
| To be born |
| Right |
| East |
| Ninety |
| Doctor |
| Nine |
| Cabinet |
| To wander |
| To fill |
| Full |
| Ice cream |
| Period (of time) |
| Shaved Meat |
| To turn |
| Four |
| Best friend |
| Folder |
| Foreign currency (esp. Dollars, Euro) |
| Wedding celebration |
| Shop |
| Smoke |
| Yesterday |
| Earth, world |
| To stop |
| Situation |
| Sandwich wrap |
| To take a shower |
| To fall |
| Thought |
| To think |
| Wall |
| Emotion, sense |
| To hear, to sense |
| Straight |
| To correct |
| To organize |
| Education |
| Addition, suffix |
| October |
| To add (common speech) |
| Bread |
| Economy |
| Missing |
| Hand |
| Certainly |
| Glove |
| Electricity, electric |
| Worker |
| Fifty |
| Apple |
| Retired |
| Certain |
| Realtor |
| Most (or width) |
| Energy |
| Inflation |
| Barrier |
| Disabled |
| To melt |
| Boy (or male) |
| Early |
| Spouse, companion |
| Equal |
| Old |
| In the past |
| Furnishings, stuff |
| Meat, flesh |
| Effect |
| To affect |
| To do |
| Home |
| Home owner |
| Yes |
| To marry |
| Married |
| September |
| Factory |
| But |
| Poor |
| Etc |
| Mouse (animal or for computer) |
| Difference |
| To notice |
| It doesn't matter |
| Different |
| Too much |
| Idea |
| Movie (film) |
| (Tea or turkish coffee) cup |
| Opportunity |
| Receipt, electrical plug |
| Price |
| Photograph |
| Probably |
| Really, quite |
| Gas (but not gasoline) |
| Newspaper (gazette) |
| Late |
| To be late |
| Night |
| Last (week, month, year), one that passes |
| Temporary |
| To pass |
| Past |
| Next, future |
| Tradition |
| Income |
| To come |
| Young (person) |
| Again |
| General |
| Generally |
| Wide (or loose fitting) |
| True, truth |
| Really |
| Needed |
| To be needed |
| To come back |
| To give back |
| To bring |
| To explore |
| Like, similar to |
| Food (market) |
| Entrance |
| To enter |
| To go |
| To put on (clothing) |
| Outfit (clothing) |
| Secret (private) |
| Stomach, belly, center |
| Refugee |
| Sky (or heaven) |
| Lake |
| To send |
| Heart, soul |
| Duty |
| To see |
| To appear |
| To talk with, to meet with |
| To show |
| To take something somewhere |
| Eye |
| Glasses |
| Grey |
| Flu |
| Group |
| Strength |
| Strong |
| Bye |
| To laugh (or smile) |
| To smile |
| Silver |
| Day |
| Sin |
| Sun |
| South |
| Trust |
| Security |
| To trust |
| Good, pretty |
| News |
| Hurry, let's go |
| Light (weight) |
| Week |
| Weekend |
| Judge |
| Right (justified in saying something) |
| State, status |
| Still |
| Carpet |
| People (people group) |
| Hamburger |
| Which |
| Mrs. |
| Jail |
| To spend |
| Activity |
| Wonderful |
| Map |
| Sick |
| Hospital |
| Mistake, imperfection |
| To remember |
| Air |
| Airport |
| Towel |
| Pool |
| To dream, imagine |
| Life |
| No |
| Animal |
| Zoo |
| Ready |
| June |
| Target, goal |
| Gift |
| Right now |
| Not yet |
| All |
| All (of a group) |
| Every |
| Every day |
| Everything |
| All the time |
| Probably |
| Whichever |
| Everyone |
| Account |
| Calculator |
| To be excited |
| Excited |
| None |
| Story |
| Hardware store |
| To feel (emotion) |
| Fast |
| To serve |
| Teacher |
| Nice |
| Worship |
| Drink |
| To drink |
| Needle (or syringe) |
| Need (basic need) |
| Two |
| To treat, to give something for free |
| Province |
| Medicine |
| District (section of a province) |
| Interest |
| Interesting (or strange) |
| Relationship |
| First |
| Spring |
| Impossible |
| Signature |
| Faith |
| To believe |
| Thin |
| Discount |
| Cow |
| English (language) |
| To get off |
| Construction |
| Person |
| İnternet | Internet |
| Thread |
| To cancel |
| Work (profession) |
| Worker |
| Light |
| Name |
| Wet |
| Process |
| To want |
| Good |
| Permission, permit |
| To give permission |
| To watch, to follow |
| Rude |
| Cable |
| To accept |
| How many |
| To escape |
| Quantity |
| Woman |
| Head |
| Paper |
| Hero |
| Breakfast |
| Coffee |
| Brown |
| Crowded (or crowd) |
| To remove |
| Pen (or other writing utensil) |
| Permanent |
| Thick |
| Quality |
| To rise |
| To stay |
| Heart |
| Blood |
| Canal, channel |
| Couch |
| Law |
| Cover |
| To close (something) |
| Door |
| Darkness |
| To decide |
| Sibling |
| Wife |
| Stomach |
| To mix |
| Opposite side, against |
| Kart | Card |
| Checkout |
| Town |
| Spoon |
| November |
| Floor (layer) |
| To join, to agree |
| Roundabout |
| Boulder |
| To lose |
| Record |
| To slide, skate (or whipped cream) |
| Source |
| Crash, accident |
| To win |
| Kabob |
| Goat |
| Cat |
| Word |
| Edge |
| City |
| To be cut, to be turned off |
| Certain |
| Certainly |
| To cut |
| Polite |
| Sword |
| Carpet, floor mat |
| To lock |
| To do, to make, to perform |
| Kilogram |
| Kilometer |
| Who |
| Identity |
| Forty |
| Dirty |
| Red |
| Winter |
| Short |
| Person |
| Part |
| Book |
| Girl |
| Girl, daughter |
| Sister |
| To fry, to turn red |
| Angry, hot |
| Husband (or huge) |
| Smell |
| Arm |
| Wrist watch |
| Easy |
| Couch (or armchair) |
| Natural gas water heater |
| Funny |
| To check |
| Topic |
| To talk |
| Dog |
| Blind |
| Curry |
| Aisle |
| To be afraid |
| To protect |
| Corner |
| To run |
| Bad |
| Evil |
| Village |
| To put |
| Dark, intense |
| Sheep |
| King |
| Credit (loan) |
| Crisis |
| Small |
| Ear |
| To use |
| Culture |
| Sand |
| Remote control |
| Cookie |
| Rule |
| Frog |
| To sacrifice (an animal) |
| To build (a building), to establish (an organization) |
| Wolf |
| To save, to rescue |
| To be saved, rescued |
| Dry |
| Bird |
| I'm sorry (informal apology) |
| Flawless, perfect |
| To celebrate |
| Box |
| North |
| Word, empty words |
| Tire |
| Bathroom, bathroom sink |
| Needed |
| Flavorful, good tasting |
| Leader |
| Lemon |
| Lira (Turkish unit of money) |
| High school |
| Luxurious |
| Please |
| Sports match |
| Material |
| Store |
| Neighborhood (part of an ilçe) |
| Machine |
| Goods, property |
| Ingredient, material |
| Logic |
| Scenery |
| Brand |
| March |
| Table |
| Blue |
| Yeast |
| May |
| Parliament |
| Media |
| Letter (mail) |
| Homeland |
| To worry, to be curious |
| Stairs, ladder |
| Hello |
| Center |
| Distance |
| Message (usually text message) |
| For example |
| Issue, matter |
| Profession |
| Metal |
| Meter (or tape measure) |
| Square meters |
| City square, commons |
| Fruit |
| Stomach |
| Amount |
| People, nation |
| Billion |
| Million |
| Inheritance |
| Guest |
| Corn, Egypt |
| Purple |
| Manager |
| Candle |
| Possible |
| Available |
| Customer |
| Kitchen |
| Absolutely |
| Happy |
| Unhappy |
| Music |
| Cash |
| How |
| What |
| Why |
| To breathe |
| River |
| Where |
| Almost |
| Clear, plain |
| Anyway |
| April |
| Engaged |
| Why (informal) |
| Open during late hours (ER, eczane, etc) |
| Point (or period) |
| Normal |
| Normally |
| Number |
| The other (one) |
| January (or stove) |
| Room |
| To pay (money) |
| Log |
| Student |
| To teach |
| Teacher |
| Son |
| School |
| To read, study |
| Ocean |
| Event |
| Really |
| To kill |
| To be, to become |
| To die |
| Death |
| Okay |
| Ten |
| To condone, accept |
| Before |
| Important |
| Forest |
| For example |
| Example |
| Middle, center |
| Shared |
| Spider |
| Feed (for an animal) |
| Hotel |
| Bus |
| Automobile |
| To sit |
| Thirty |
| Story |
| That way, like that |
| To play |
| Game |
| Toy |
| Special |
| Especially |
| Free (not enslaved) |
| To miss (someone) |
| I'm sorry (for a wrong I've done) |
| Expensive |
| Cotton |
| Pants |
| Money |
| Part |
| Finger |
| Party |
| Bakery |
| To explode, to pop |
| Eggplant |
| Employer, boss |
| To share |
| Sunday (or bazaar) |
| Monday |
| Very |
| Well |
| Pink |
| Window |
| Curtains |
| Thursday |
| Paid up front (not in installments) |
| Regretful |
| Plan |
| Police officer |
| Orange |
| Problem |
| Schedule, computer program |
| Project |
| Point (in a game) |
| Comfortable |
| To refuse |
| Advertisement |
| Color |
| Picture |
| Spirit |
| Dream |
| Wind |
| Time, hour |
| Morning |
| Patient |
| Soap |
| Hair |
| Plain, unsweetened |
| Only |
| To provide |
| health |
| Thanks |
| Owner |
| Calm |
| To store, to hide (something) |
| Cucumber |
| Tuesday |
| Living room |
| Art |
| Chair |
| Second |
| As if |
| To think, suppose |
| Chance |
| Hat |
| Yellow |
| Charge (for a phone or other device) |
| Song |
| Condition, need |
| To purchase |
| To sell |
| War |
| Page |
| Respect |
| Number |
| Reason, cause |
| Vegetable |
| Choice, election |
| To choose |
| City |
| Coffee table |
| Sugar |
| Shape |
| Eight |
| Seksen | Eighty |
| Year |
| Basket |
| Free (independent) |
| Hard, harsh |
| Shuttle, place setting |
| Sound |
| Sound recording |
| Love |
| To rejoice, to be happy |
| To love |
| Thing |
| To watch |
| Warm, friendly |
| Password |
| Cigarette |
| Insurance |
| Poem |
| To complain |
| To be bored with |
| Trouble |
| Weapon |
| To erase |
| Now |
| Exam |
| Fly (or other similar bug) |
| Class |
| Border, limit |
| To be angry |
| To place an order |
| Turn, queue |
| Vinegar |
| Company |
| Back |
| Bottle |
| System |
| Liquid |
| Black |
| Politics |
| Cold |
| To chat |
| Street, side road |
| To insert, to sting |
| Left |
| Last |
| Fall |
| After |
| Forever |
| Result |
| To ask |
| Question |
| Problem |
| Sauce |
| Social |
| Saute |
| To say |
| Word, promise |
| To exercise |
| Water |
| February |
| Crime, fault |
| To offer, present |
| Suspicion, doubt |
| Duration |
| Continuously |
| To spread, to drive |
| Surprise |
| Driver |
| To be thirsty |
| Milk |
| Plate |
| Of course |
| To predict |
| Wood |
| Team |
| To follow |
| To hang up, to attach |
| Payment in installments |
| Request |
| Exact, whole |
| Okay, finished |
| To repair |
| Piece, unit |
| To know (person) |
| To meet (for the first time) |
| Side |
| Date, history |
| To argue |
| Style |
| Stone |
| To carry, to move |
| Vacation |
| Sweet, dessert |
| Ceiling |
| Rabbit |
| To recommend |
| Fresh |
| To congratulate |
| Therapy |
| Danger |
| Single, only |
| Technical, tecnique |
| Technology |
| Again |
| Telephone |
| Television |
| Lazy |
| Foundation |
| Clean |
| To clean (something) |
| July |
| Pot |
| Hill |
| Reaction |
| Tray |
| Sweat |
| To prefer |
| Slippers |
| Backwards |
| Aunt (Mother's sister) |
| Type |
| Ball |
| Total |
| To gather (or add numbers) |
| Meeting |
| Society |
| Dirt |
| Dust (or powder) |
| Traffic |
| Train |
| All, entire |
| Type |
| Turkish |
| Orange (the color, not the fruit) |
| To catch, to hold |
| Toilet |
| Salt |
| Point |
| Three |
| Airplane |
| To fly |
| Price (or salary) |
| Third |
| Cheap |
| Tiny |
| To struggle |
| To arrive |
| Country |
| International |
| To hope |
| University |
| Famous |
| To forget |
| Product |
| Expert, craftsman |
| To be cold |
| To be shy |
| Awake |
| Member |
| To apply |
| Available |
| To obey, to fit |
| To sleep |
| Far |
| To lie down |
| To extend |
| Sad |
| Expert |
| Grapes |
| Long, tall |
| Time |
| To arrive |
| Citizen |
| To change one's mind |
| And |
| Tax |
| To give |
| Or |
| Body |
| To hit |
| Bathroom (water closet) |
| Or |
| Foreigner |
| Oil, fat |
| Rain |
| To catch |
| Near |
| Approximately |
| To get closer |
| To light (a fire, stove) |
| Alone |
| In other words |
| Answer |
| Wrong |
| To burn |
| Structure |
| To do |
| Leaf |
| Injury |
| To create |
| To help |
| Half |
| Age |
| Law |
| Life |
| To live |
| Old (person) |
| Bed |
| To lie down |
| Slow |
| Common, widespread |
| Summer |
| Author |
| To write |
| Extra |
| Seven |
| To Eat |
| New |
| Place, floor |
| Green |
| Skill |
| Enough |
| Seventy |
| Year |
| Snake |
| Star |
| Again |
| Twenty |
| Food |
| Thick, busy |
| Yogurt |
| Or |
| Road, path |
| Direction |
| Manager |
| To lead |
| Method |
| To be exhausted |
| Comment |
| High |
| Egg |
| Soft |
| Outside the country |
| Domestic (inside the country) |
| To walk |
| Round |
| Face, 100 |
| Percent |
| Century |
| Victory |
| Time |
| Damage |
| Envelope, adverb |
| Anyway, already |
| Thin, weak |
| Poison |
| Intelligent |
| Ground (floor) |
| Rich |
| Pleasure |
| Olive |
| Doorbell |
| Difficult |
I really find this list of common 1000 Turkish words useful. I am looking forward to more vacab list. Thank you very much.
İt would be amazing if you could offer this list ranked by frequency. 🙏
Hi Rabih, thanks for the suggestion. I agree that would be a very useful list. However, since I built this list by combining several other lists and manually editing it, it would be very difficult to go back and order it by frequency. If you want a list that is ordered by frequency, I recommend the list on Wiktionary (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionary:Frequency_lists/Turkish), with the caveat that this list is more of a frequency list for written Turkish and not necessarily for spoken Turkish.
What’s the difference between veya and yoksa?
“Yoksa” is used for mutually exclusive things. It is similar to the phrase “or else” in English. It can also mean “if it doesn’t exist.” “Veya,” on the other hand, is a more general word for “or” that can be applied to things that aren’t mutually exclusive. Another way of saying “or” is “ya da,” which is similar to “veya” but more conversational and less formal.