Learn Turkish: A guide for absolute beginners

Author

Reads 4.5K

From above of young woman with long dark hair in casual clothes working at table and browsing netbook while sitting in modern workplace and touching hair
Credit: pexels.com, From above of young woman with long dark hair in casual clothes working at table and browsing netbook while sitting in modern workplace and touching hair

Are you looking to learn Turkish but don't know where to start? If so, you're in luck! In this article, we'll provide a comprehensive guide for absolute beginners on how to learn Turkish.

Learning any new language can be an intimidating task, but with the right approach and resources, it can be a rewarding experience. In this guide, you'll find everything from basic grammar rules and essential vocabulary to tips on how to practice speaking and listening skills.

Whether you're planning a trip to Turkey or simply want to expand your linguistic horizons, learning Turkish will open up a world of opportunities for personal and professional growth. So let's dive in and explore the exciting journey of learning Turkish!

Want to achieve a good level in Turkish? Check out our Turkish learning guide, find an online tutor, and start your language journey today.

Anonymous person pressing button of lift
Credit: pexels.com, Anonymous person pressing button of lift

Learning Turkish can be a daunting task, especially if you're not familiar with the language. But in this article, you'll discover helpful tips and tricks that will make your journey to speaking Turkish much easier. Remember, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

One great way to start learning Turkish is by finding an online tutor. Many websites offer Turkish lessons online, and you can find one that fits your schedule and budget. Don't worry if you're not sure where to begin - many tutors are experienced in helping beginners learn the language.

In addition to finding an online tutor, it's important to practice regularly. Try using what you've learned in your daily life, such as when ordering food or asking for directions. With consistent practice and the help of an online tutor, you'll be speaking Turkish in no time!

Key Insights on Learning Turkish

Selective Focus Photography of Upright Piano
Credit: pexels.com, Selective Focus Photography of Upright Piano

Learning a new language can be challenging, but with a consistent study routine and the right study tools, it is possible to make progress. It's important to remember that learning Turkish won't happen overnight, so it's essential to stay motivated and continue learning Turkish regularly.

One effective study method is to use resources you'll find online or on our Turkish resource page. These resources can help you learn new vocabulary and grammar rules, practice pronunciation, and even connect with other language learners. Additionally, if you're having a hard time finding the right study method for you, don't give up! With patience and determination, you can find what works best for you and make learning Turkish an enjoyable experience.

Consider reading: Language Learning Plateaus

Tips & tricks for learning Turkish quickly

Green Red Yellow Colored Pencil
Credit: pexels.com, Green Red Yellow Colored Pencil

Learning a foreign language takes time and effort, but there are ways to speed up the process. To learn Turkish quickly, it's important to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Start by following Turkish social media accounts, listening to Turkish music, watching Turkish TV shows and movies, and practicing with native speakers. Additionally, try to memorize basic vocabulary words and phrases so that you can start using them in everyday conversations. By consistently practicing and immersing yourself in the language, you'll be able to learn Turkish quickly and effectively.

1. Learn the Turkish alphabet

One of the first steps in learning Turkish is to familiarize yourself with the Turkish alphabet. Unlike many other languages, Turkish uses its own unique set of characters that may seem daunting at first. However, there are some real similarities between the Turkish alphabet and the Latin alphabet, which can make things easier for English speakers.

The Turkish alphabet consists of 29 letters - eight vowels and 21 consonants. While some of these letters may look unfamiliar at first glance, you'll find that many of them are actually just an adapted version of a letter you already know from the Latin alphabet. One thing you won't find in the Turkish alphabet is any "silent" letters - all letters make a sound when pronounced. To really get comfortable with the Turkish alphabet, practice learning each letter's pronunciation and how it sounds in different words.

2. Build your vocabulary

When learning Turkish, building your vocabulary is key. To quickly start expanding your knowledge of the language, focus on common Turkish words that you can use in your daily routine. By learning a significant number of basic Turkish words, you'll be able to avoid confusion and distinguish words that may have similar spelling in English or French.

Pro tip: Use a mobile app to set a daily goal and learn a set amount of new Turkish words each day. This will help you stay motivated and committed to building your vocabulary. Keep practicing and don't be afraid to ask for help with the pronunciation of tricky words like "hala" (paternal aunt) or "kar" (snow). With time and consistency, you'll be able to master the spelling, pronunciation and meaning of Turkish words.

3. Practice basic grammar and sentence structure

Practice basic Turkish grammar and sentence structure to improve your language skills. While Turkish grammar can be a bit difficult to grasp, with trickier grammar concepts like personal suffixes and quantity singular plural, it's essential to understand the basics before advancing. A teacher note is that when creating sentences, the leading pronoun doesn't necessarily have to come first in Turkish language, so you can avoid redundancy.

Turkish grammar has some unusual features, such as the subject-object-verb word order; for example, "the girl threw the dog" would be "girl threw dog" in Turkish. Additionally, personal suffixes match with the subject of the sentence and convey information about plurality, possession, negation, passivity and more. However, once you get used to these grammatical features and learn how they work together in constructing sentences with short roots or longer words (like nerelisin - which literally means "where are you from?"), it becomes surprisingly simple to speak and write in Turkish. So practice your skills regularly and soon enough you'll be able to express yourself fluently!

Additional reading: German Sentence Structure

4. Immerse yourself in Turkish every day

Immersing yourself in Turkish every day is an essential part of the language learning process. To speak Turkish fluently and make progress quickly, you must add Turkish to your daily life. The Turkish language has a unique pattern called vowel harmony that may sound strange at first, but with practice, you will get used to it. You can listen to Turkish music, read children's books with short easy-to-read sentences, and put basic Turkish vocabulary and phrases/idioms into practice.

To learn words quickly and stay up to date with recent events reading news platforms that offer Turkish articles can be a great boost whilst learning Turkish. You can also connect with the Turkish social and political life by reading popular Turkish newspapers or watching TV shows/films produced in Turkey. If you have the opportunity to visit a Turkish-speaking country, fully immerse yourself in the culture and practice speaking with native speakers. Ankara (the capital) and Istanbul (the 2nd city) are both popular tourist destinations with amazing historical sights. So why not make it a perfect choice for beginner language learners?

Discover the Significance of Learning the Turkish Language!

Self-Employed Lettering Text on Black Background
Credit: pexels.com, Self-Employed Lettering Text on Black Background

Turkish is a widely spoken Turkic language that has a rich history dating back to the 8th century. With over 80 million people worldwide speaking it as their mother tongue, learning Turkish can be highly beneficial, especially if you plan on visiting Turkey or any other country where native Turkish speakers reside. It's also worth noting that countries including Germany, Bulgaria, and Macedonia have significant populations of Turkish speakers.

Turkey itself is a perfect tourist destination – what's not to love about its breathtaking nature and famous cuisine? Knowing the language can help you communicate better with locals and fully immerse yourself in the culture. Speaking Turkish also allows you to appreciate the nuances of this beautiful language and gain insight into the traditions and customs of its people. Learning Turkish is undoubtedly a huge part of embracing Turkish culture, so if you're interested in making connections with Turkish people or just want to enhance your travel experience, we hear you're in for a treat!

Intriguing read: English Speakers

Become Fluent Fast: Learn Turkish with These Simple Steps!

Multiethnic students eating pizza during break in studies
Credit: pexels.com, Multiethnic students eating pizza during break in studies

If you're looking for a magic formula to become fluent in Turkish overnight, I'm sorry to disappoint you: there isn't one. However, there are some simple steps that can make the process easier and help you start speaking Turkish immediately. First of all, focus on learning important grammar topics so that you can form basic sentences and understand how the language works. You can use a language app or take a course to do this. Then, practice listening by watching Turkish shows and movies or listening to podcasts. This will help you get used to the sounds of the language and improve your comprehension skills.

Another important aspect of learning Turkish is studying the culture behind it. Turkey is one of the biggest exporters of TV dramas, known as soap operas due to their melodramatic nature. Watching Turkish shows or even youtube videos made by Turkish creators will give you a well-rounded understanding of both the language and culture. By combining study methods with practicing listening and immersing yourself in Turkish culture, you'll be able to learn quickly and effectively. So go ahead and start your journey towards fluency today!

1. Use the Best Turkish Apps

When it comes to learning Turkish, language apps are a popular option. Among the biggest names in the language learning industry are Babbel and Pimsleur. The apps listed offer low-price, low-medium commitment, high-convenience ways to learn Turkish quickly.

Babbel is an excellent choice for those looking to learn basic vocabulary and navigate everyday situations in Turkish culture. With their quick, complete lessons that focus on reading, writing, and speaking, you'll be surprised at how fast you're learning. With a free 7-day trial available, Babbel review shows that their app is perfect for beginners who want to get started with Turkish quickly.

Pimsleur's goal is to help learners speak like native speakers as quickly as possible. Their audio lessons focus on completely audio-based learning which makes them ideal for those who don't have much time or prefer not to read or write in the language. In just 7 days of daily practice, Pimsleur review shows that learners can develop practical language skills needed for conversation in everyday situations.

If this caught your attention, see: Babbel Review

2. Take an Online Turkish Course

If you're looking to learn Turkish, taking an online course is a good choice. There are many options available that can provide you with a clear path to proficiency in the language. One popular course is "Turkish Uncovered" on the Udemy platform, which has over 3000 students enrolled. This comprehensive story-learning series takes you from complete beginner to intermediate level and covers grammar, vocabulary, and extensive lesson notes. With practice material and 7 days of free access, it's a great way to start your journey.

Another option is Language Transfer's completely free podcast-style lessons. This non-profit language project is designed to share languages and help people learn important Turkish vocabulary. The lessons focus on correct Turkish pronunciation and are available on both the Language Transfer website and Udemy platform. While commitment and price are medium-high, convenience is medium as well, making it easier for you to navigate everyday situations in a Turkish-speaking country.

3. Find an Online Turkish Tutor

Looking for an online Turkish tutor? Learning a new language can be challenging, but there are effective ways to make it easier. Years ago, the only option was to attend a learning center or have private lessons with a teacher. Nowadays, we have access to online learning platforms that connect us with experienced Turkish teachers from Turkey, Cyprus and other locations. Home-based platforms like Italki, Preply and Verbling offer secure platforms where more than 500 Turkish teachers create their profiles, upload an intro video and offer discounted trial lessons. You can easily choose the teacher that fits your learning style by reading past student reviews and checking out their profile information.

If you want to hire a qualified instructor who has previous teaching experience and good ratings, then these platforms are perfect for you. Teachers offer different lesson plans according to your level of fluency and specific interests. Commitment, medium price and convenience are medium-high in most cases; however, some platforms give you the possibility of taking free trial classes before committing to a paid class. It's up to you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Turkish easy language to learn?

Turkish is considered an easy language to learn because it has a phonetic alphabet, simple grammar rules, and predictable pronunciation.

What are the best resources for learning Turkish?

Some of the best resources for learning Turkish include online courses like Babbel or Duolingo, language exchange programs like Tandem or HelloTalk, and textbooks such as "Teach Yourself Turkish" or "Complete Turkish Beginner to Intermediate Course."

How long will it take to learn Turkish?

The time it takes to learn Turkish depends on several factors such as your level of dedication, previous language learning experience, daily exposure to the language, and your ultimate goal. On average, it may take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years to acquire proficiency in Turkish.

How to improve your Turkish?

To improve your Turkish, immerse yourself in the language by watching Turkish movies or TV shows, listening to Turkish music and podcasts, and practicing with native speakers. Consistency is key - make a plan to study every day and track your progress. Consider taking a class or hiring a tutor for personalized instruction.

Gordon Vannoni

Lead Writer

Gordon Vannoni is an experienced blogger who writes on a variety of topics, including lifestyle, technology, and finance. His work has been featured in numerous publications, and he is frequently sought after for his expertise in these areas. A creative thinker with a passion for writing, Gordon has a knack for crafting compelling stories that resonate with readers.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.