Hello - Merhaba
Goodbye - Hosh chakal
Good morning - Gunaydin
Good afternoon - Ee gewn ler
Good evening - Ee akshamlar
How are you - Nasilsiniz
Fine thank you - Ee yim tesherker ederim
So, so - Shoola boola
Okay - Tamam
How much - Neh kadar
Yes - Evett
Please - Loot fen
Thank you - Tesherker ederim
Cheers - Sheh reefeh
Could I have the bill please - Hesap loot fen

Les

Are they spelt the way you pronounce them?

No they're not Chris, this is my spelling, so that jewelsabull gets an idea of the right pronunciation eg, So, so should be shula bula and please is lutfen.

Les

http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/details/LanguageGuide/100words_lessons/

I like So, so - Shoola boola

The most importtant one is bier biera lutfen --or-- ickey biera lutfen
One beer please----Two beers please

A big thanks to you all especially to 'Cruisecontroller'!! We have all started practising how to pronounce words! And my hubby says a huge Thanks to you 'Gunny' for the most important phrase!!

şöyle böyle is the correct spelling. You use it as 'so so' but the correct meaning is 'like this, like that'. The cedilla under the s makes the sh sound.
I would go to WHSmith and get a phrase book, it will help you a lot and they are quite amusing to read.

It is actually pronounced shoyleh boyleh

Instead of arguing about spelling and pronunciation can we get back ON TOPIC please and provide the Author of this topic with the Useful Phrases they desire please !!

Les

Quite agree CC,
please remember this may be the New HT but the same rules of posting still apply,

SO KEEP IT FRIENDLY

wizard

Well, surely it's right to correct pronunciation - so as to save the OP any embarrassment? Also, you've got to remember that pronunciation is very important in the Turkish language (a change of vowel could end up in saying something either very different from what is meant or, worse, something rude).

Some words are hard to write phonetically - maybe this guide to Turkish pronunciation may help a little (as the Turkish language is always pronounced as it is seen, unlike English - eg through and though).

a = as in bad
e = as in egg
i = (with a dot) as in ink
ı = (without a dot) as in uh
o = as in option
ö = as in er
u = as in umbrella
ü = as in the ew of few (but with more of an oo sound as well)

c = pronounced j as in jam
ç = pronounced ch as in chimney
ÄŸ = this is silent but elongates the preceding vowel
ÅŸ = pronounced sh as in shower

If you want to say cheers, you use the word ÅŸerefe (pronounced sherefe)

Jak xx

I wasn't arguing

I just thought if someone wanted to say the phrase they would like to know the proper way to pronounce it rather than sounding silly. So how can it be off topic to give the OP the correct pronunciation?

I was hardly being unfriendly or I wouldn't have put a smily face after.

Sorry I tried to be helpful

I thought you were helpful Kedi ... I always say bir bira !!

Wilson

didn't mean to start any disagreements

You've done nothing wrong jewelsabull. What has happened is that I am being corrected as to the proper spellings/pronunciations which I already know but these would prove a bit puzzling to you. What my colleagues on here haven't realised is that i've tried to put these down in a way that should be easier for you to pick up, to the point of breaking the words down, so that you got the gist of what I was trying to say, so that in turn, you will be understood by the people of Turkey. Have yourself a good holiday when it happens.

Les

jewelsabull wrote:

:whoops didn't mean to start any disagreements :(

Don't worry you didn't. I only wanted to tell you the right way to say that phrase as it sounds a bit odd if you say it wrong.

Have a good trip and I'm sure everyone will appreciate your trying to say a few words of Turkish

I have got myself in hot water when spelling a word or phrasing wrong... Only to realise later I had offended someone by a simple mishap!!!

Good luck and I'm sure all will be appreciated.x

Well I am very sorry, I too was only trying to help. I think it is important to see the spelling and the correct pronunciation particularly as Turkish is very phonetic. Sorry I bothered and won't in future.