What is a common mistake with “Kolay gelsin”?

✗ Kolay gelsin (to a friend on the beach) → ✓ İyi tatiller: Kolay gelsin is only for people doing a task.

Phrase 48 of 500

How to say “May your work be easy” in Turkish

Q: How is “Kolay gelsin” used in a conversation?

Ben: Merhaba, kolay gelsin! (Hello, may your work be easy!) Esnaf: Sağ olun, buyurun. (Thanks, how can I help?)

Kolay gelsin means "May it come easy", a wish for anyone who is working. You say it when you walk past a builder, enter a shop where someone is busy, or call a friend who is at work.

Written by Fatih, Turkish language and literature graduate & linguist

Kolay gelsin!

koh·lai gehl·seen

Listen

Meaning: May your work be easy!
Pronunciation: koh·lai gehl·seen

What “Kolay gelsin” really means

Kolay gelsin means "May it come easy", a wish for anyone who is working. You say it when you walk past a builder, enter a shop where someone is busy, or call a friend who is at work. The usual answer is "Sağ ol" or "Teşekkürler".

💬 Example dialogues

BenMerhaba, kolay gelsin!Hello, may your work be easy!

EsnafSağ olun, buyurun.Thanks, how can I help?

MertKolay gelsin, ne yapıyorsun?Hope work's going well, what are you doing?

CanRapor yazıyorum, sağ ol.I'm writing a report, thanks.

🚫 When NOT to use it

Do not say it to someone relaxing or on holiday; there is no work to make easy. Some people find it funny if you say it to someone who is just sitting.

🇹🇷 Culture note

There is no English equivalent, which is why learners love it. Using it with shopkeepers instantly makes you sound local.

⚠️ Common mistakes

✗ Kolay gelsin (to a friend on the beach) → ✓ İyi tatillerKolay gelsin is only for people doing a task.

Letters to watch in this sentence

İ i like ee in “see”