Turkish Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms to Speak Like an Istanbul Insider

Straddling two continents, Istanbul is a city where tradition and modernity collide in the most captivating way. And if you want to really immerse yourself in local life—whether you’re sipping tea along the Bosphorus or haggling at the Grand Bazaar—knowing a bit of slang can make you feel like a true İstanbullu. Below, you’ll find 100 essential Turkish slang terms that reflect the casual, everyday speech of Istanbul’s bustling streets and vibrant nightlife.

Why Learn Turkish Slang?

Authentic Communication
While formal Turkish helps you read newspapers and hold polite conversations, slang is where you’ll find laughter, spontaneity, and cultural nuance. It’s how locals really talk with friends and family.

Cultural Insight
Slang terms often convey local values, sense of humor, and generational shifts. Understanding them can unlock jokes in TV shows, pop songs, and social media memes—making your foray into Turkish culture more enjoyable.

Boost Confidence
Dropping an occasional “Vay be!” or “Aman boşver!” in the right context can spark instant smiles and show you’re not just a tourist but an engaged participant in daily life.

Fun Fact: A 2022 Turkish Language Association survey found that over 60% of young Turks use slang on a daily basis—especially online and in texts with friends.

Quick Tips for Using Turkish Slang

1. Mind the Audience: Some slang is fine among peers but may be too informal or even rude if used with elders or in professional contexts.
2. Moderation is Key: Overusing slang can sound forced. Sprinkle it in naturally.
3. Watch TV & YouTube: Turkish dramas, vlogs, and stand-up shows can help you pick up on how and when these terms are used.
4. Regional Variations: While Istanbul is a melting pot, remember that slang can differ across regions. Terms popular in Istanbul might be less common in Anatolia or the Black Sea coast.

Greetings & Everyday Expressions (1–10)

1. Selam
   • Meaning: A casual “Hi,” less formal than Merhaba.
   • Usage: “Selam, nasılsın?” (“Hi, how are you?”)
2. N’aber?
   • Meaning: Short for Ne haber? = “What’s up?”
   • Usage: “N’aber, kanka?” (“What’s up, buddy?”)
3. Aynen
   • Meaning: “Exactly,” “Totally,” a quick agreement.
   • Usage: “Aynen öyle!” (“Exactly that!”)
4. Vay be!
   • Meaning: “Wow!” or “Oh wow!” expressing surprise or admiration.
   • Usage: “Vay be, ne güzel araba!” (“Wow, what a nice car!”)
5. Oha!
   • Meaning: “No way!” or “OMG!” for surprise or disbelief.
   • Usage: “Oha, gerçekten mi?” (“No way, really?”)
6. Hadi
   • Meaning: “Come on!” or “Let’s go!”
   • Usage: “Hadi, geç kalıyoruz!” (“Come on, we’re late!”)
7. Olur
   • Meaning: “Sure,” “It works,” “OK.”
   • Usage: “Şimdi gidelim mi? Olur.” (“Should we go now? Sure.”)
8. Boşver
   • Meaning: “Never mind,” “Forget it,” literally “empty it.”
   • Usage: “Boşver, canını sıkma.” (“Forget it, don’t let it bother you.”)
9. Hayırlısı
   • Meaning: “Let’s hope for the best,” or “If God wills it,” used to express acceptance.
   • Usage: “Yeni iş için başvurdum. Hayırlısı bakalım.” (“I applied for a new job—here’s hoping for the best.”)
10. Eyvallah
    • Meaning: “Thanks,” “Alright,” or “OK,” from Arabic origin.
    • Usage: “Eyvallah kanka, yardımın için sağol.” (“Thanks, buddy, appreciate your help.”)

Talking About People & Relationships (11–20)

11. Kanka
    • Meaning: “Buddy,” “close friend.”
    • Usage: “Hadi gel, kanka, çay içelim.” (“Let’s go have tea, bro.”)
12. Dostum
    • Meaning: “My friend,” more affectionate than “arkadaş.”
    • Usage: “Sağ ol, dostum!” (“Thank you, my friend!”)
13. Abi/Abla
    • Meaning: “Older brother / Older sister,” used for respect among friends or older folks.
    • Usage: “Abi, sen ne diyorsun?” (“Brother, what do you think?”)
14. Dayı
    • Meaning: Literally “uncle,” but in slang, used for a random older man or jokingly for a friend.
    • Usage: “Hey dayı, nasılsın bakalım?” (“Hey man, how are you?”)
15. Gardaş
    • Meaning: “Brother,” from Anatolian / Southeastern dialect.
    • Usage: “Gardaş, ne zaman döneceksin?” (“Bro, when are you coming back?”)
16. Cansu
    • Meaning: A playful name-based pun or generic name for a random female friend (like “Jane Doe”).
    • Usage: “Bak, Cansu ne dedi?” (“Look what that random chick said?”) or comedic effect.
17. Erkek Fatma
    • Meaning: “Tomboy,” literally “male Fatma.”
    • Usage: “O biraz erkek Fatma tarzı giyiniyor.” (“She dresses like a tomboy.”)
18. Muhabbet
    • Meaning: “Chat,” “banter,” or “friendly conversation.”
    • Usage: “Muhabbet çok iyi, devam edelim!” (“The conversation is great, let’s keep going!”)
19. Kopmak
    • Meaning: “To hang out and go wild” or “break away.”
    • Usage: “Akşam kopuyoruz mu?” (“Are we going out partying tonight?”)
20. Takılmak
    • Meaning: “Hang out,” “chill,” or “tease.”
    • Usage: “Hafta sonu beraber takılalım mı?” (“Shall we hang out this weekend?”)

Expressing Emotions & Reactions (21–30)

21. Şaşırdım
    • Meaning: “I’m surprised,” used casually
    • Usage: “Bu fiyatlar ne böyle, şaşırdım ya!” (“What are these prices, I’m surprised!”)
22. Efsane
    • Meaning: “Legend,” used to say “awesome,” “epic.”
    • Usage: “O film efsane, mutlaka izlemelisin.” (“That movie is legendary, you must watch.”)
23. Bayıldım
    • Meaning: “I loved it,” “I fainted (with joy).”
    • Usage: “Yeni şarkısına bayıldım!” (“I loved his new song!”)
24. Gıcık
    • Meaning: “Annoying,” “irritating.”
    • Usage: “Şu adam çok gıcık davranıyor.” (“That guy is acting so annoying.”)
25. Ayıp
    • Meaning: “Shame,” “inappropriate,” or “rude.”
    • Usage: “Ayıp ediyor, lafına dikkat etsin.” (“He’s being rude, watch the language.”)
26. Sinir bozucu
    • Meaning: “Nerve-wracking,” “annoying.”
    • Usage: “Trafik çok sinir bozucu bugün.” (“Traffic is super annoying today.”)
27. Moralsiz
    • Meaning: “Lacking morale,” or “bummed out.”
    • Usage: “Sınavı geçemeyince moralsiz oldum.” (“When I failed the exam, I got depressed.”)
28. Üf be
    • Meaning: “Ugh,” “Oh man,” a sigh of frustration or annoyance.
    • Usage: “Üf be, yine mi yağmur?” (“Ugh, is it raining again?”)
29. Ağlamak istiyorum
    • Meaning: “I want to cry,” used dramatically for frustration or sadness.
    • Usage: “O kadar yorgunum ki, ağlamak istiyorum.”
30. Gaza gelmek
    • Meaning: “To get hyped,” “fired up,” from “gas.”
    • Usage: “Arkadaşlar gaza gelince gece yarısına kadar eğlendik.” (“We got so hyped we partied till midnight.”)

Food & Dining Slang (31–40)

31. Acayip lezzetli
    • Meaning: “Super delicious,” literally “strange-delicious.”
    • Usage: “Bu mantı acayip lezzetli, inanılmaz!”
32. Midye (Middy-ey)
    • Meaning: Mussels, a street food delicacy in Istanbul. Also slang for something small and tasty.
    • Usage: “Galata’da midye yemelisin, harika!”
33. Çaycı (Chay-ji)
    • Meaning: The “tea guy,” or a place known for serving tea.
    • Usage: “Köşedeki çaycıya gidelim, muhabbet güzel oluyor.”
34. Simit
    • Meaning: Iconic bagel-like bread, slang reference for breakfast or cheap snack.
    • Usage: “Sabah simit, çay, keyif budur.”
35. Öğün kaçırmak
    • Meaning: “Skip a meal,” but slangily used for “miss out on good food.”
    • Usage: “Akşam yemeğini pas mı geçtin? Öğün kaçırma, ayıp!”
36. Mantı bombası
    • Meaning: “Dumpling bomb,” describing how heavy or filling mantı can be.
    • Usage: “Mantı bombası yedim, şimdi uyumak istiyorum.”
37. Balık-ekmek
    • Meaning: “Fish sandwich,” iconic Istanbul street food near the Bosphorus.
    • Usage: “Akşam balık-ekmek yapalım mı Eminönü’nde?”
38. Lahmacun hastasıyım
    • Meaning: “I’m addicted to lahmacun,” expressing love for Turkish pizza.
    • Usage: “Her hafta yiyorum, lahmacun hastasıyım.”
39. Karna tokluğu
    • Meaning: “Just enough to fill your stomach,” minimal meal.
    • Usage: “Şu an param az, karna tokluğu yeter.”
40. Abartma (A-bart-ma)
    • Meaning: “Don’t exaggerate,” often used if someone raves about food too much.
    • Usage: “Abartma be, o çorba normaldi sadece.”

Internet & Tech Slang (41–50)

41. Paylaş
    • Meaning: “Share,” from Turkish verb, but used slangily for social media sharing
    • Usage: “Resmi paylaşsana, çok güzel çıkmışsın.”
42. Lütfen beğen (Like)
    • Meaning: “Please like,” requesting social media likes.
    • Usage: “Yeni vlogum geldi, lütfen beğen!”
43. Takip et
    • Meaning: “Follow,” for Instagram or Twitter.
    • Usage: “Takip et beni, ben de seni takip ederim.”
44. Yorum yap
    • Meaning: “Leave a comment,” from “Yorum (comment)” + “yap (do).”
    • Usage: “Yorum yap videomun altında, fikirlerin önemli!”
45. DM at
    • Meaning: “Send me a direct message,” borrowed from English “DM.”
    • Usage: “DM at, orada konuşalım.”
46. Efsane post
    • Meaning: “Legendary post,” praising someone’s social media post.
    • Usage: “Efsane post yaptın, çok beğendim!”
47. Spoiler verme
    • Meaning: “Don’t give spoilers,” referencing movies/series.
    • Usage: “Son bölümü izlemedim, spoiler verme!”
48. İzledin mi link?
    • Meaning: “Did you watch the link?” short for “Did you check the link I sent?”
    • Usage: “Kanka, izledin mi link? Harika video.”
49. Online mısın?
    • Meaning: “Are you online?” checking if someone is connected.
    • Usage: “Online mısın? Sana bir şey göstereceğim.”
50. Gezgin mod (Traveler mode)
    • Meaning: “Traveler mode,” from Instagram story style traveling spree
    • Usage: “Gezgin mod açtım, her gün foto atıyorum.”

Love & Dating Slang (51–60)

51. Aşkım
    • Meaning: “My love,” used for partners or spouses
    • Usage: “Aşkım, ne yiyelim bu akşam?”
52. Canım
    • Meaning: “My dear,” affectionate term for close ones.
    • Usage: “Canım, yorgun musun bugün?”
53. Sevgili
    • Meaning: “Lover,” “girlfriend/boyfriend.”
    • Usage: “Yeni sevgili buldun mu?”
54. Senden elektrik aldım
    • Meaning: “I felt an electric vibe from you,” meaning an instant connection
    • Usage: “Buluştuğumuzda senden elektrik aldım, çok güzeldi.”
55. Trip atmak
    • Meaning: “To give someone an attitude,” often used in relationships.
    • Usage: “Niye bana trip atıyorsun, ne oldu?”
56. Kıskançlık krizleri
    • Meaning: “Jealousy fits,” describing relationship drama.
    • Usage: “Her akşam kıskançlık krizleri yaşıyoruz, yoruldum.”
57. Dertleşmek
    • Meaning: “To share one’s problems,” “to confide.”
    • Usage: “Benimle dertleş, ne sıkıntın varsa anlat.”
58. Arkadaşça takılmak
    • Meaning: “Hang out as just friends,” signifying “friend-zone.”
    • Usage: “Sanırım o bana arkadaşça takılmak istiyor.”
59. Ateş etmek
    • Meaning: “To flirt aggressively,” literally “to shoot fire.”
    • Usage: “Bar’da ateş etmek çok ayıp değil mi?”
60. Evlilik mod
    • Meaning: “Marriage mode,” someone ready to settle down.
    • Usage: “Arkadaşım evlilik mod açtı, her gün gelinlik bakıyor.”

Family & Daily Life (61–70)

61. Anane / Anneanne
    • Meaning: “Grandma,” used casually in everyday talk
    • Usage: “Ananemle çay içmek çok keyifli.”
62. Dedem (Dede)
    • Meaning: “Grandfather,” can also be used as a friendly teasing for older man
    • Usage: “Dedem eskiden hep hikayeler anlatırdı.”
63. Evin kızı / Evin oğlu
    • Meaning: “Daughter/Son of the house,” meaning dear family member or close friend treated like family
    • Usage: “O, evin kızı gibi zaten, hep burda kalır.”
64. Kraliçe anne
    • Meaning: “Queen mother,” jokingly used for a commanding mom
    • Usage: “Kraliçe anne kızınca kimse konuşamaz.”
65. Abur cubur
    • Meaning: “Junk food,” eaten casually.
    • Usage: “Akşam film izlerken abur cubur aldım.”
66. Ev hali
    • Meaning: “Home mode,” i.e., casual, messy appearance at home
    • Usage: “Biraz dağınıkım çünkü ev hali, rahat takılıyorum.”
67. Temizlik günü
    • Meaning: “Cleaning day,” a common routine in many Turkish households
    • Usage: “Bugün temizlik günü, yardım et lütfen.”
68. Koli kesmek
    • Meaning: “Packing,” but slang for “moving out” or “packing up.”
    • Usage: “Koli kesmek zorundayım, hafta sonunda taşınıyorum.”
69. Sohbet ortamı
    • Meaning: “Chatty environment,” often for family gatherings.
    • Usage: “Ailede bayram zamanı, sohbet ortamı harika oluyor.”
70. Bit pazarı (Flea market)
    • Meaning: “Flea market,” but used for bargain hunts in daily life.
    • Usage: “Hafta sonu bit pazarına gidelim, belki güzel şeyler buluruz.”

Negative Feelings & Frustrations (71–80)

71. Bezdim
    • Meaning: “I’m fed up” or “I’m done.”
    • Usage: “Bu trafikten bezdim vallahi.”
72. Tıkandım
    • Meaning: “I’m stuck,” “I can’t proceed,” either mentally or physically
    • Usage: “Proje üzerinde çalışırken tıkandım.”
73. Başım şişti
    • Meaning: “My head is inflated,” used when complaining about noise or stress
    • Usage: “Yeter, başım şişti bu tartışmadan.”
74. Bıktım
    • Meaning: “I’m sick of it,” “I’ve had enough.”
    • Usage: “Bıktım bu yağmurlu havadan!”
75. Aman
    • Meaning: “Oh dear,” “Ugh,” or “whatever,” expressing frustration.
    • Usage: “Aman, sen bilirsin.”
76. Hayal kırıklığı
    • Meaning: “Disappointment,” can be used slangily for big letdowns.
    • Usage: “Maç sonucu hayal kırıklığı oldu.”
77. Felaket
    • Meaning: “Disaster,” used for a terrible situation
    • Usage: “Toplantı felaket geçti, kimse hazırlıklı değildi.”
78. Kafa ütülemek
    • Meaning: “To hammer someone’s head,” meaning to nag or talk someone’s ear off
    • Usage: “Bütün gün beni arayıp kafa ütüledi.”
79. Belayım
    • Meaning: “I am trouble,” jokingly used to say “I’m a nuisance” or “It’s my fault”
    • Usage: “Ben belayım ya, hep geç kalıyorum.”
80. Zar zor
    • Meaning: “Barely,” “with great difficulty.”
    • Usage: “Zar zor yakaladım otobüsü, son dakika yetiştim.”

Entertainment & Pop Culture (81–90)

81. Dizi kolik
    • Meaning: “Series addict,” for Turkish drama watchers.
    • Usage: “O kadar dizi kolik ki, günde 5 bölüm izliyor.”
82. Popçu
    • Meaning: “Pop music fan,” or “pop singer.”
    • Usage: “Ben popçu değilim, daha çok rock severim.”
83. Youtube’cu
    • Meaning: “YouTuber,” or someone always on YouTube.
    • Usage: “Kardeşim tam Youtube’cu, hep vlog çekiyor.”
84. Cayır cayır
    • Meaning: “Loud and intense,” often used for a popping party or performance
    • Usage: “Konser cayır cayır oldu, herkes coştu.”
85. Düğün dernek
    • Meaning: “Wedding party,” but used for any big celebration.
    • Usage: “Mahallede düğün dernek var, çok eğlenceli.”
86. Yürümek
    • Meaning: “To walk,” but slang for “make a move on someone.”
    • Usage: “Artık kıza yürü, yoksa başkası kapar.”
87. Trend topic
    • Meaning: Borrowed from English “trend,” for Twitter trending.
    • Usage: “Bu hashtag Twitter’da trend topic olmuş!”
88. Dilara
    • Meaning: Just a generic female name used in jokes or placeholders.
    • Usage: “Dilara kim? Bilmiyorum, ama adını duydum.”
89. Rapçi
    • Meaning: “Rapper,” referencing pop culture.
    • Usage: “O genç çok iyi rapçi oldu, yakında albüm çıkarıyormuş.”
90. Sosyete
    • Meaning: “High society,” used for glamorous, fashion-forward folks
    • Usage: “O mekan sosyete yeri, pahalı ama havalı.”

Additional Slang Gems (91–100)

91. Valla billah
    • Meaning: “I swear,” “Seriously,” more intense than “wallah.”
    • Usage: “Valla billah doğru söylüyorum!”
92. Daha neler
    • Meaning: “What else?” or “No way!” expressing shock or disbelief
    • Usage: “Daha neler, gerçekten mi istifa etmiş?”
93. Iyi geceler mod
    • Meaning: “Good night mode,” i.e., “I’m done for the night.”
    • Usage: “Çok yorgunum, iyi geceler mod’a geçiyorum.”
94. Doldurmak
    • Meaning: “To fill someone’s head (with ideas)” or hype them up.
    • Usage: “Arkadaşım beni dolduruyor ki ben o işe gireyim.”
95. Kırk fırın ekmek yemek
    • Meaning: “Eat forty loaves of bread,” i.e. “You still have a lot to learn.”
    • Usage: “Daha kırk fırın ekmek yemen lazım, genco.”
96. Kıçım dondu
    • Meaning: “My butt froze,” comedic way to say “I’m freezing!”
    • Usage: “Dışarısı soğukmuş, kıçım dondu yahu!”
97. Abi ayıp
    • Meaning: “Dude, that’s rude,” scolding in a friendly way
    • Usage: “Abi ayıp, neden öyle konuştun?”
98. Gaza getirmek
    • Meaning: “To hype or motivate someone,” from “gas them up.”
    • Usage: “Arkadaşı gaza getirdim ki sınava çalışsın.”
99. Kopartmak
    • Meaning: “To tear it up,” “go wild,” especially dancing or partying
    • Usage: “Bu gece kopartacağız, sabaha kadar dans!”
100. Garanti değil
     – Meaning: “Not guaranteed,” used to express skepticism
     – Usage: “Plan yapsak da garanti değil, hava durumu kötüymüş.”

Conclusion: Time to Speak Like an Istanbul Insider

Harika! You’ve journeyed through 100 essential Turkish slang terms, capturing the pulse of Istanbul’s lively, everyday talk. From casual greetings (N’aber?) to comedic exclamations (Oha!), these expressions will help you connect with locals, understand your favorite Turkish series, and add a splash of authenticity to your conversations.

Final Tips:

• Use Slang Appropriately: When in doubt, keep it subtle. Overusing slang can feel inauthentic.
• Listen for Context: Watch Turkish YouTubers, TV dramas, and eavesdrop on locals to catch how they pronounce these terms.
• Stay Open: Language is always evolving—that’s the fun part!

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Which slang expression do you find the most fun or surprising? Share your thoughts below in the comments! If you enjoyed this guide, spread the word and subscribe for more cultural and linguistic deep dives. Now go forth and make your Istanbul friends grin when you exclaim “Vay be!” at just the right moment. Hadi, kolay gelsin!

See Also: Arabic Slang Guide: 100 Essential Terms for Authentic Street-Level Arabic