Expressing Gratitude and Compliments
Turkish has many nuanced ways to express thanks and give compliments. Using the right phrase in the right context shows cultural competence and earns respect.
Usage contextsocial
Do
- Say 'Elinize sağlık' (health to your hands) after eating someone's cooking
- Respond 'Afiyet olsun' (bon appetit) when someone is eating
- Say 'Maşallah' after complimenting to ward off evil eye
- Use 'Çok teşekkür ederim' for strong thanks
- Say 'Sağ olun' to elders (more formal thanks)
- Compliment sincerely and specifically
Don't
- Don't just say 'teşekkürler' for everything (too casual sometimes)
- Don't compliment without 'Maşallah' in superstitious contexts
- Don't give empty compliments
- Don't forget to thank hosts multiple times
- Don't accept compliments too readily (shows immodesty)