What is a common mistake with “Sağ ol”?

✗ Sağ ol (to a judge or official) → ✓ Teşekkür ederim / Sağ olun: Keep the plain form for friends.

Phrase 42 of 500

How to say “Thanks! (casual)” in Turkish

Q: How is “Sağ ol” used in a conversation?

Kerem: Al, kalemin. (Here, your pen.) Ali: Sağ ol kanka! (Thanks, buddy!)

Sağ ol is the casual "Thanks!", literally "be alive / be healthy". It is quick and friendly, used with friends, waiters, drivers and anyone in everyday life.

Written by Fatih, Turkish language and literature graduate & linguist

Sağ ol!

sah ohl

Listen

Meaning: Thanks! (casual)
Pronunciation: sah ohl

What “Sağ ol” really means

Sağ ol is the casual "Thanks!", literally "be alive / be healthy". It is quick and friendly, used with friends, waiters, drivers and anyone in everyday life. The polite or plural form is "Sağ olun".

💬 Example dialogues

KeremAl, kalemin.Here, your pen.

AliSağ ol kanka!Thanks, buddy!

ŞoförBuyurun abla, geldik.Here we are, ma'am.

ElifSağ olun, iyi günler.Thanks, have a nice day.

🚫 When NOT to use it

In formal emails or with a senior manager at a first meeting, "Teşekkür ederim" is better. "Sağ ol" can also mean "no thanks" when someone offers food, so watch the tone.

🇹🇷 Culture note

Soldiers answer their commander with "Sağ ol!" in a loud voice. In daily life, "Sağ olasın" is the old-fashioned, very warm version.

⚠️ Common mistakes

✗ Sağ ol (to a judge or official) → ✓ Teşekkür ederim / Sağ olunKeep the plain form for friends.

Letters to watch in this sentence

Ğ ğ silent: makes the vowel before it long (dağ = daa)