Understanding Turkish slang and idioms is the best way to sound more natural when speaking with locals.

Textbooks rarely teach the casual phrases that people actually use on the streets of Istanbul or Izmir.

This guide covers the most common everyday expressions you’ll hear in daily life.

I’ll show you exactly what these phrases mean and how to use them in conversations.

Common turkish slang words

Turkish slang is highly expressive and relies heavily on relationship dynamics.

People use specific words to show closeness or friendliness.

Here are the most frequently used slang terms in spoken Turkish.

Kanka

Kanka is a shortened version of kan kardeşi, which means “blood brother.”

Young people use this word constantly to address their close friends.

Abi

Abi literally means “older brother” in Turkish.

However, it functions exactly like the word “bro” or “man” in English.

You can use it with close friends, shopkeepers, or taxi drivers.

Naber

Naber is a squished together version of ne haber, meaning “what is the news?”.

It’s the exact Turkish equivalent of asking someone “what’s up?”.

You should only use this with friends, never in formal situations.

Eyvallah

Eyvallah is an Arabic loanword that has become a staple of Turkish street slang.

It’s a multi-purpose word used to say thanks, acknowledge something, or say goodbye.

You’ll hear men use this word much more frequently than women.

Lan

Lan is an informal exclamation used to say “dude” or “man”.

You must be very careful with this word because it can sound extremely rude or aggressive.

Only use it with your closest friends or when you’re genuinely angry.

Essential turkish idioms

Turkish is a highly idiomatic language.

Locals constantly use set phrases and idioms to express specific feelings or wishes.

Memorizing these idioms will immediately improve your listening comprehension.

Kolay gelsin

Kolay gelsin is arguably the most common phrase you’ll hear in Turkey.

It literally translates to “may it come easy.”

You say this to anyone who is currently working or doing a task.

You can say it to a cleaner, a cashier, or a colleague studying for an exam.

Eline sağlık

Eline sağlık literally translates to “health to your hands.”

This is the standard phrase used to thank someone for cooking a meal.

You can also use it to praise someone who has built, fixed, or created something with their hands.

Boş ver

Boş ver translates literally as “give empty.”

Turks use this idiom to tell someone to “forget about it” or “let it go.”

It’s the perfect response when a friend is stressing over a minor problem.

Kafayı yemek

Kafayı yemek literally means “to eat the head.”

This funny idiom simply means “to go crazy” or “to lose your mind.”

You use it when you’re incredibly frustrated or overwhelmed by a situation.

Regional slang variations in Turkey

Turkish slang isn’t exactly the same across the entire country.

Different cities have their own unique vocabulary and street expressions.

Here are a few notable regional differences you might encounter.

Izmir slang

The city of Izmir on the Aegean coast has very famous regional slang.

In Izmir, locals don’t say simit for the famous Turkish sesame bagel.

Instead, they call it a gevrek, which means “crispy.”

They also use the word çiğdem to refer to sunflower seeds instead of the standard word çekirdek.

Ankara slang

Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, has a tougher, more distinct street culture.

Instead of saying abi or kanka, people in Ankara often call each other bebe.

Bebe literally means “baby,” but in Ankara slang, it just means “guy” or “dude.”

They also shorten the aggressive slang word lan down to just la.