Language/Turkish/Vocabulary/Drinks

Turkish Vocabulary - Drinks

Hi Turkish learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be exploring the different types of drinks in Turkish. Drinks are an important part of Turkish culture, and often accompany meals or social occasions. By the end of this lesson, you will have an overview of the most popular drinks in Turkey, and be able to order confidently in a restaurant or cafe. Let's get started!

Turkish Tea

We cannot start this lesson without mentioning the national drink of Turkey: çay (pronounced "chai"). Turkish tea is an essential part of Turkish culture and daily life, and is served in a thin-waisted glass called a "fincan" with a tiny spoon and sugar cubes on the side. Turkish tea is traditionally brewed in two stacked kettles called "çaydanlık". The bottom kettle holds boiling water, while the upper kettle holds loose-leaf tea. When brewed, the tea is poured from the upper kettle into the bottom one, and then diluted with hot water to the desired strength.

Turkish	Pronunciation	English
çay	chai	tea

Here's an example dialogue to help you practice:

• Person 1: Bir fincan çay, lütfen. (One glass of tea, please.)
• Person 2: Şekerli mi, şekersiz mi? (With sugar, without sugar?)
• Person 1: Şekersiz, teşekkür ederim. (Without sugar, thank you.)

Turkish Coffee

Another popular drink in Turkey is Türk kahvesi (pronounced "turk kah-veh-si"). Turkish coffee is served in small, handleless cups called "fincan" and is made by boiling finely ground coffee and water together in a cezve, a small copper or steel pot. The coffee is served unfiltered, so allow the grounds to settle at the bottom of the cup before drinking. Turkish coffee has a unique taste and is often compared to espresso or strong black coffee.

Turkish	Pronunciation	English
Türk kahvesi	turk kah-veh-si	Turkish coffee

Here's an example dialogue to help you practice:

• Person 1: Bir Türk kahvesi, lütfen. (One Turkish coffee, please.)
• Person 2: Şekerli mi, şekersiz mi? (With sugar, without sugar?)
• Person 1: Orta şekerli olsun, teşekkür ederim. (Medium sugar, thank you.)

Ayran

Ayran (pronounced "eye-rahn") is a cold, refreshing drink made from yoghurt, water, and sometimes salt. It is a popular accompaniment to spicy food and is often served in a tall glass with ice.

Turkish	Pronunciation	English
ayran	eye-rahn	Ayran

Here's an example dialogue to help you practice:

• Person 1: İki bardak ayran, lütfen. (Two glasses of Ayran, please.)
• Person 2: Buyrun, afiyet olsun. (Here you are, enjoy!)

Şalgam Suyu

Şalgam suyu (pronounced "shal-gam soo-yoo") is a popular drink from the southeast of Turkey, made from fermented black carrot juice, salt, and sometimes spices. It has a sour and salty taste and is served cold in a glass. Some people also like to add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra flavor.

Turkish	Pronunciation	English
şalgam suyu	shal-gam soo-yoo	Şalgam suyu

Here's an example dialogue to help you practice:

• Person 1: Bir bardak şalgam suyu, lütfen. (One glass of Şalgam suyu, please.)
• Person 2: Buyrun, afiyet olsun. (Here you are, enjoy!)

Sıcak Çikolata

For those with a sweet tooth, sıcak çikolata (pronounced "si-jak chi-ko-la-ta") is the perfect drink. Served hot in a cup, it is made by mixing melted chocolate with hot milk or water, and sometimes adding whipped cream or marshmallows on top.

Turkish	Pronunciation	English
sıcak çikolata	si-jak chi-ko-la-ta	Hot chocolate

Here's an example dialogue to help you practice:

• Person 1: Bir sıcak çikolata, lütfen. (One hot chocolate, please.)
• Person 2: Soslu veya kremalı mı olsun? (With sauce or cream?)
• Person 1: Kremalı olsun, teşekkür ederim. (With cream, thank you.)

That's it for this lesson on Turkish drinks. Remember, to fully immerse yourself in the Turkish culture, don't forget to try these drinks! To improve your Turkish Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Sources: 1. "Turkish Food and Drink". Lonely Planet. [1] 2. "The Fascinating Culture of Turkish Tea". Culture Trip. [2] 3. "The Origins of Turkish Coffee". The Spruce Eats. [3]