TurkishClass101.com Blog

Have you ever played with Legos or blocks? You may find this question odd, so let me explain.  I think that words resemble individual Legos or blocks. If you put them together randomly, you’re not going to build a meaningful structure. The same is true for words.  Depending on the characteristics of a language, words have to be in a certain order to form meaningful sentences. You can’t just put one after the other with a hit-or-miss approach. This makes Turkish word order and sentence structure a can’t-miss aspect of learning the language. Would you like to learn about word order in Turkish grammar and basic sentence structure in Turkish? Then I recommend that you read through this article carefully and take notes on the most... Show more

Time is a significant part of our lives. Whether you’re a tourist, a non-native student, a businessman/businesswoman, or a resident in Turkey, you’ll need to talk about time in Turkish at some point. This is inevitable because our entire life revolves around time. Table of Contents Time Format Used in Turkey How to Ask the Time in Turkish Time Past the Hour Time Half Past the Hour Time to the Hour More Time-Related Words Time Proverbs and Sayings about Time in Turkish Conclusion: How TurkishClass101 Can Help You Master Turkish 1. Time Format Used in Turkey You need to learn about the time format used in Turkey before learning how to say "What time is it?" in Turkish, don’t you?  ... Show more

Nowadays, nearly everyone has a GPS or some sort of navigation app. But it’s still important to know how to ask for directions in Turkish because locals can give you valuable information about shortcuts that could save you time. Plus, it's a good excuse for small talk and practicing speaking in the target language. Not to mention the fact that you can't always rely on having a good internet connection or GPS signal! You may end up relying on your directions in Turkish vocabulary more often than you think...and directions in Turkish lessons like this one are a great place to start. Table of Contents Basic Question Form: "….. Nerede?" Cardinal Directions in Turkish Major City Directions in Turkish Getting Places - How to Ask... Show more

What are Turkish nouns? Well, words used to define living things, non-living things, and concepts, are called nouns. Here comes your first Turkish noun: "Ad" / "isim" - "Noun" Unlike in some languages, in Turkish grammar, nouns don’t have gender. In other words, a Turkish noun isn’t categorized as feminine or masculine. Nouns in Turkish grammar are classified as follows: According to the way they are given:Proper nounsCommon nounsAccording to the composition of the names:Abstract nounsConcrete nounsAccording to the number:Singular nounsPlural nounsCollective nounsAccording to the structureSimple nounsNouns derived from other nounsCompound nouns You can find more information on this, and more Turkish vocabulary, on Wikipedia.... Show more

Compliments! Tell me who doesn’t like compliments. I believe that even those who say they don’t like compliments enjoy them deep inside. Complimenting is a very human thing, and it can be done anywhere, anytime. However, you need to be very careful about it if you’re not a native speaker and you’re complimenting someone whose culture you’re not familiar with. You wouldn’t want to be embarrassed or hit with a purse, would you? In this article, we’ll talk about how to compliment in Turkish, as well as when you should avoid complimenting. With the Turkish compliments in this article, you can bring a smile to anyone’s face! Let’s start with the basics: "Compliment"                                         - İltifat; kompliman; övgü ... Show more

There are many ways to show our feelings, particularly through gestures, behavior, and language. Language is, of course, the most effective and explicit one. Of all the feelings we experience, anger is probably the most intense. Because anger can increase our adrenaline level, our reactions can be extreme and our words harsh. We might even be led to use swear words. In this article, we’ll talk about profanity in Turkish. Our focus will be on rude Turkish sayings, but definitely not on swear words in Turkish. Profanity in Turkish is especially common among males in Turkey. You can hear a lot of Turkish swear words when men are watching a soccer game; it doesn’t matter if they’re watching it on TV at home, at a café, or live at the... Show more

On Labor and Solidarity Day, Turkey’s workers celebrate gains made for laborers’ rights, demonstrate for even more rights, and take the day (or long weekend) off of work. In this article, you’ll learn all about Labor Day events in Turkey, some background information about the holiday, and a few useful vocabulary words. Let’s get started. 1. What is Labor and Solidarity Day? Labor Day in Turkey has had a rocky history since its start in 1923. Like in many countries around the world, Labor Day is a holiday dedicated to workers and laborers, and is often marked by protests and demonstrations. The first Labor Day celebration turned violent, causing authorities to place a yasak ("ban" ) on demonstration participation. In 1924,... Show more

What is the most defining moment you will face this year? From memories that you immortalize in a million photographs, to days you never wish to remember, one thing's for certain: big life events change you. The great poet, Bukowski, said, "We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well, that death will tremble to take us." The older I get, the more I agree with him! Talking about significant events in our lives is part of every person's journey, regardless of creed or culture. If you're planning to stay in for more than a quick visit, you're sure to need at least a few 'life events' phrases that you can use. After all, many of these are shared experiences, and it's generally expected that we will show up with good manners... Show more

Did you know that every minute of the day, one billion tons of rain falls on the earth? Hard to believe, considering the climate crisis! Of course, all that rain is not equally shared across the planet. So, would you mention this fascinating fact to your new acquaintance? Well, small talk about local weather is actually a great conversation-starter. Everyone cares about the weather and you’re sure to hear a few interesting opinions! Seasons can be quite unpredictable these days and nobody knows the peculiarities of a region better than the locals. TurkishClass101 will equip you with all the weather vocabulary you need to plan your next adventure. The weather can even be an important discussion that influences your adventure plans.... Show more

International Women’s Day in Turkey, called Uluslararası Kadınlar Günü, is a very significant holiday, as it seeks not only to promote women’s rights, but to unite women from various backgrounds. In this article, you’ll learn all about Women’s Day, Turkey’s women’s rights, and more facts about the holiday. Let’s get started. 1. What is International Women’s Day? International Women’s Day, celebrated in numerous countries around the world, is a special day set aside to honor women, show appreciation toward them, and most importantly, promote greater kadın hakları, or "women’s rights." Women’s Day in Turkey has a particular focus on kızkardeşlik, or "sisterhood," as women from a variety of backgrounds unite with a common goal.... Show more