Turkish Language Practice App
Vocabulary Practice
Phrase Practice
General Quiz
Test your knowledge with a mix of vocabulary and phrases.
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Turkish Alphabet & Basic Pronunciation
The Turkish alphabet consists of 29 letters, most of which are similar to English, but some have unique sounds. Turkish is generally phonetic, meaning words are pronounced as they are written once you know the letter sounds.
Letter | Approx. English Sound / Note | Example Turkish Word (Meaning) |
---|---|---|
A a | 'a' as in "father" | anne (mother) |
B b | 'b' as in "baby" | balık (fish) |
C c | 'j' as in "jam" | cam (glass/window) |
Ç ç | 'ch' as in "chair" | çay (tea) |
D d | 'd' as in "dog" | deniz (sea) |
E e | 'e' as in "bed" or "get" | ev (house) |
F f | 'f' as in "fish" | fil (elephant) |
G g | 'g' as in "go" | gün (day) |
Ğ ğ | "Soft g" - often lengthens the preceding vowel, mostly silent or like a very soft 'y' sound between vowels. Never starts a word. | dağ (mountain), öğlen (noon) |
H h | 'h' as in "hat" | hava (weather/air) |
I ı | Undotted 'i' - like the 'a' in "comma" or 'u' in "supply" | ışık (light) |
İ i | Dotted 'i' - 'ee' as in "see" | iyi (good) |
J j | 'j' as in French "bonjour" or 's' in "pleasure" | jilet (razor blade) |
K k | 'k' as in "kite" | kapı (door) |
L l | 'l' as in "lamp" | limon (lemon) |
M m | 'm' as in "man" | masa (table) |
N n | 'n' as in "no" | ne (what) |
O o | 'o' as in "go" (but shorter) or "order" | oda (room) |
Ö ö | Like 'u' in "fur" or German 'ö'. Round lips like 'o' but say 'e'. | göz (eye) |
P p | 'p' as in "pen" | para (money) |
R r | Slightly rolled 'r', like Spanish 'r' but softer. | renk (color) |
S s | 's' as in "sun" | su (water) |
Ş ş | 'sh' as in "shoe" | şeker (sugar) |
T t | 't' as in "top" | tuz (salt) |
U u | 'oo' as in "moon" or 'u' in "put" | uzun (long) |
Ü ü | Like 'ew' in "few" or German 'ü'. Round lips like 'u' but say 'i'. | üzüm (grape) |
V v | 'v' as in "van" | ve (and) |
Y y | 'y' as in "yes" | yol (road) |
Z z | 'z' as in "zoo" | zaman (time) |