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Phrase 7 of 500

How to say “How are you? (polite)” in Turkish

Nasılsınız? is the polite or plural "How are you?".

Written by Fatih, Turkish language and literature graduate & linguist

Nasılsınız?
nah·suhl·suh·nuhz
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Meaning
How are you? (polite)
Pronunciation
nah·suhl·suh·nuhz

What “Nasılsınız” really means

Nasılsınız? is the polite or plural "How are you?". The -sınız ending is the respectful "you", like "vous" in French or "Sie" in German. It is also used when you ask a group of people.

💬 Example dialogues

ÖğrenciHocam, nasılsınız?Teacher, how are you?

Öğretmenİyiyim, teşekkür ederim. Sen nasılsın?I'm fine, thank you. And how are you?

MuratHoş geldiniz! Nasılsınız?Welcome! How are you all?

Misafirlerİyiyiz, teşekkürler!We're fine, thanks!

🚫 When NOT to use it

With your best friend or a child it sounds cold or ironic. If someone answers you with "Nasılsın?", it is fine to switch to the informal form too.

🇹🇷 Culture note

Younger people who are polite to each other may say "Nasılsınız?" at first and quickly move to "sen" when they become friends. An older person can use "sen" with you while you keep "siz".

⚠️ Common mistakes

  • ✗ Nasılsın? (to your grandmother's neighbor) → ✓ Nasılsınız?With older people the polite form is safer.

Letters to watch in this sentence

  • I ı no dot: a relaxed “uh”, like the e in “open”

Related phrases

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