Learn Turkish

glot.space is a no-fuss language Turkish learning platform that will get you from zero to basic-fluent in no time.

🇹🇷 Merhaba, nasılsın?

🇺🇸 Hi, how are you?

🇹🇷 Çok iyiyim, teşekkürler! Şimdi Türkçe konuşabiliyor musun?

🇺🇸 I'm great thanks! Do you speak Turkish now?

🇹🇷 Evet! Son zamanlarda öğreniyorum.

🇺🇸 Yes! I've been learning recently.

🇹🇷 Nasıl öğreniyorsun?

🇺🇸 How do you learn?

🇹🇷 Glot.space kullanıyorum, harika bir web sitesi.

🇺🇸 I use glot.space, it's a great website.

🇹🇷 Çok harika görünüyor. Nasıl başlayabilirim?

🇺🇸 Sounds amazing. How can I get started?

🇹🇷 Sadece 'Buradan Başla'ya tıkla ve dilini seç!

🇺🇸 Simply click on 'Start Here' and choose your language!

🇹🇷 Çok kolay. Şimdi başlıyorum!

🇺🇸 So easy. Starting now!

🇹🇷 İyi şanslar!

🇺🇸 Good luck!


🇹🇷

Turkish

Native speakers
76M 🗣️
Official language in
Turkey 🌍
Active vocabulary
15k-25k 📚
Difficulty
medium-hard 🤔
Closest langauges
Azerbaijani, Turkmen
⏳ Avg. time to basics
900-1100 hours ⏳

Turkish Online For Free

Learning Turkish opens up opportunities in a country that bridges Europe and Asia, offering geopolitical and economic significance in sectors like tourism, textiles, and construction. Turkey's unique culture and history make the language valuable for cultural enthusiasts and academics. For basic fluency, English speakers need about 1,500-2,000 vocabulary words and may require 900-1,100 hours for general proficiency. Key Turkish grammar elements include vowel harmony, agglutination, and the use of suffixes to convey relational meaning. The language's subject-object-verb structure and absence of gendered nouns offer a different linguistic perspective. Mastering Turkish enables more nuanced interactions, both professionally and culturally, in this transcontinental setting.



Turkish + glot.space

1

Essentials


Build a strong foundation by learning the most commonly used words and grammatical structures.

In English for example, to engage in everyday conversation on a wide range of topics, you'll likely need to know between 1,500 to 2,500 words. This should allow you to express your thoughts, ask questions, and understand the responses you receive.

2

100% Efficiency


Get the best return on the time you invest in learning.

We use AI-powered frequency dictionaries that will spoon-feed you the most popular words, idioms and sayings in the language of your choice.

💯

100 Most Frequent Verbs in Turkish

Top 100 verbs to get started.

💯

100 Most Frequent Adjectives in Turkish

Top 100 adjectives to get basics.

10 Powerful Multi-Faceted Verbs in Turkish

One verb - many meanings! Learn the most useful.

🗣️

Useful Idioms To Get Started in Turkish

Memorize sayings that can be used in conversation.

🕰️

Templates For Using Past Tense in Turkish

Most common words and sentence structures.

3

Tailored vocabulary


Knowing a lot of words in a foreign language is cool...

You know what's more cool? Knowing the one that you will most probably use the most.

Practice what you will actually need. Specific vocabulary that a marketing specialist uses on daily basis will be (usually) much different than the one of a doctor or a personal trainer.

With glot.space, you will be able to find specific vocabulary lists that will enrich your language skills in the direction that you select.

🐱

Animals

Hayvanlar
🌍

Travel

Seyahat
💻

Software

Yazılım
💼

Business

İş
🌈

Colors

Renkler
🍎

Food

Yiyecek
💊

Medicine

Tıp
1️⃣

Numbers

Sayılar
🤲

Body

Vücut
4

Gamified practice

Grow some linguistic muscles fast.
Our language training gym module learns how you learn and helps proactively fix the gaps in your knowledge.

include graphic



Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I learn Turkish?

Turkish is spoken by over 80 million people, mostly in Turkey but also in various communities around the world. If you're interested in the history, culture, or cuisine of Turkey, learning the language can greatly enhance your understanding and appreciation. Furthermore, Turkey has a strategic location bridging Europe and Asia, making it a significant player in the fields of business, politics, and tourism. Learning Turkish can provide career opportunities, particularly in industries like tourism, international relations, and trade. Moreover, Turkish has a unique grammar and vocabulary that offers a fascinating linguistic challenge.

Is Turkish a difficult language to learn?

For English speakers, Turkish can be challenging due to its distinct structure and vocabulary. It follows an agglutinative grammar, meaning words are built by attaching affixes to a root word. Turkish also has vowel harmony, a rule that governs the vowels used in suffixes based on the preceding vowel. Furthermore, most Turkish words have no English cognates, so you'll need to learn a lot of new vocabulary. However, Turkish is entirely phonetic and has a simple alphabet similar to English, which makes reading and pronunciation relatively straightforward. Like any language, learning Turkish requires commitment and regular practice, but with time and effort, you can achieve proficiency.

What are some effective strategies for learning Turkish?

Effective strategies for learning Turkish include daily practice, immersive experiences, and using a variety of resources. Regular, even if short, language sessions can help reinforce knowledge and maintain momentum. Immersive experiences, such as engaging with Turkish media or speaking with native speakers, can enhance listening comprehension and speaking fluency. Utilizing a variety of resources like textbooks, language apps, online courses, flashcards, and language exchange platforms can provide a balanced approach to reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Also, learning Turkish in context, like phrases and sentences instead of isolated words, can help understand the application of grammar rules and vocabulary.

How long does it take to become fluent in Turkish?

The time it takes to become fluent in Turkish can vary greatly depending on several factors such as your native language, prior language learning experience, the intensity and consistency of your study, and your definition of fluency. The Foreign Service Institute classifies Turkish as a Category III language, suggesting that a native English speaker would need approximately 44 weeks or 1100 hours of intensive study to achieve proficiency. However, reaching a high level of fluency, particularly in understanding and using colloquial expressions and idioms, may require several years of study and practical use. The key is to have regular, meaningful engagement with the language.

What resources can I use to learn Turkish?

There are numerous resources available for learning Turkish. For structured lessons, language learning platforms like Rosetta Stone, Duolingo, and Babbel can be useful. Language exchange platforms like Tandem and HelloTalk can connect you with native Turkish speakers for conversation practice. Flashcard apps like Anki can help with vocabulary memorization. For grammar reference, resources like Turkish: A Comprehensive Grammar can be helpful. Turkish media, such as TV shows, movies, and music, can enhance your listening comprehension and cultural understanding. Additionally, language schools and universities often offer Turkish language courses.

How important is pronunciation in Turkish?

Pronunciation in Turkish is quite important, as incorrect pronunciation can lead to misunderstandings. Fortunately, Turkish is a phonetic language, meaning words are pronounced as they are spelled, which makes pronunciation easier to master than in some other languages. The Turkish alphabet has a few letters that don't exist in English, and some letters are pronounced differently, so it's essential to learn these differences. Stress in Turkish words usually falls on the last syllable, which is another important aspect to remember. Regularly listening to native Turkish speakers and practicing pronunciation can help improve your accent.

What is the role of grammar in learning Turkish?

Understanding grammar is crucial in learning Turkish due to its unique grammatical structure. Turkish is an agglutinative language, where words are formed by attaching various suffixes to a root word. This allows for the creation of long, complex words that express concepts that would require a whole sentence in English. Moreover, Turkish employs vowel harmony, a system that governs the vowels that can be used in a word based on the characteristics of the first vowel. Despite its complexity, Turkish grammar is remarkably regular, with very few exceptions to its rules. Learning Turkish grammar can initially seem daunting, but it provides a fascinating linguistic challenge.

Can I learn Turkish by watching movies or listening to Turkish music?

Yes, watching Turkish movies and listening to Turkish music can be an effective supplementary method for learning the language. These activities can improve your listening comprehension, help you pick up new vocabulary and phrases, and expose you to natural Turkish speech patterns. They can also enhance your understanding of Turkish culture and social norms. However, these methods should be used in conjunction with more structured study, as they may not provide comprehensive coverage of grammar or vocabulary, and they lack opportunities for speaking and writing practice.

How is the Turkish writing system different from the English one?

The Turkish writing system uses a Latin-based alphabet, similar to English, but there are some key differences. The Turkish alphabet consists of 29 letters, including seven letters (ç, ğ, ı, ö, ş, ü, and â) not found in the English alphabet. It's worth noting that the Turkish 'i' comes in two forms: 'i' with a dot and 'ı' without a dot, and these are two different letters. Turkish is a phonetic language, meaning each letter has one sound, and every sound is represented by one letter, which makes reading and spelling fairly straightforward once you've mastered the alphabet.

How can I practice speaking Turkish if I don't live in Turkey?

Even if you don't live in Turkey, there are numerous ways to practice speaking Turkish. Language exchange platforms like Tandem or HelloTalk can connect you with native Turkish speakers. Online tutoring platforms like iTalki offer one-on-one lessons with Turkish teachers. You can also join local Turkish language learning groups or Turkish culture clubs. Additionally, you can use language learning apps that have speaking components or even practice speaking aloud by yourself. The key is to find opportunities to practice speaking as much as possible and to get feedback on your pronunciation and grammar.

What are some common difficulties learners face when learning Turkish?

Common difficulties when learning Turkish often relate to its distinct grammar and vocabulary. Turkish uses an agglutinative structure, with many suffixes added to root words, which can be difficult for learners used to languages with a different structure. The concept of vowel harmony, where the vowels in suffixes must harmonize with the preceding vowel, can also be challenging. Moreover, most Turkish words are not cognates with English, requiring the learning of a vast new vocabulary. Despite these challenges, many learners find that Turkish's phonetic alphabet and regular grammar rules make the language fairly logical and consistent once the basics are understood.