How to Say Hello in Turkish: From Casual to Formal

Turkish greetings vary by time, familiarity, and respect level:

Universal / All-Day

• Merhaba (mehr-HAH-bah) — Neutral, most common. Safe anytime, anyone.
• Selam (seh-LAHM) — Casual, "hi." Friends, peers, younger people. From Arabic salām.

Time-Specific (Formal/Polite)

• Günaydın (gew-ny-DUHN) — "Good morning." Until ~11 AM.
• İyi günler (ee-yee gUwn-lehr) — "Good day." Late morning–afternoon. Formal/respectful.
• İyi akşamlar (ee-yee ak-SHAHM-lar) — "Good evening." After ~6 PM.
• İyi geceler (ee-yee jeh-jeh-lehr) — "Good night" (farewell, not greeting).

Casual / Familiar

• Naber? (nah-BEHR) — "What's up?" (lit. "What's happening?"). Friends.
• Nasılsın? (nah-SUHL-suhn) — "How are you?" (informal).
• Alo (ah-LOH) — Phone greeting; also "hello?" when uncertain.

Religious / Traditional

• Selamün aleyküm (seh-lah-MOON ah-ley-KOOM) — "Peace be upon you" (Arabic). Response: Aleyküm selam. Formal, older, religious contexts.

Goodbyes (for completeness)

• Hoşça kal (hosh-CHAH kahl) — "Stay well" (to person staying).
• Güle güle (gew-LEH gew-LEH) — "Go smiling" (to person leaving).
• Allahaısmarladık (al-lah-hahs-mar-lah-DUHK) — "Commended to God" (formal/religious).
• Görüşürüz (goer-ue-shoer-uez) — "See you later."

Pro tip: Start with Merhaba—never wrong. Add Günaydın/İyi akşamlar for polish.