Learn Turkish · A1
Family and Relatives Aile
Mother, father, brothers and sisters, plus special Turkish words: older brother (ağabey), mother's sister (teyze), father's brother (amca).
The rule
- Turkish distinguishes older and younger siblings: ağabey (abi) — older brother, abla — older sister, kardeş — younger brother or sister.
- Relatives on the mother's and father's side have different names: amca — father's brother, dayı — mother's brother, hala — father's sister, teyze — mother's sister.
- Grandmothers too: anneanne — mother's mother, babaanne — father's mother. Grandfather — dede.
- People address strangers with family words: abi, abla for slightly older people, amca, teyze for older ones. It is polite and very common.
Overview
| anne · baba | mother · father |
|---|---|
| ağabey (abi) · abla | older brother · older sister |
| kardeş | younger brother / sister |
| eş | spouse (husband or wife) |
| oğul · kız | son · daughter |
| amca · dayı | uncle (father's side · mother's side) |
| hala · teyze | aunt (father's side · mother's side) |
| babaanne · anneanne · dede | grandmother (father's · mother's) · grandfather |
| kuzen · yeğen · torun | cousin · nephew/niece · grandchild |
Examples
- Kaç kardeşin var? — İki kardeşim var.How many siblings do you have? — I have two.
- Teyzem Ankara'da oturuyor.My aunt (mother's sister) lives in Ankara.
- Evli misiniz? — Evet, iki çocuğum var.Are you married? — Yes, I have two children.
- Abi, otogar ne tarafta?Excuse me (lit. brother), which way is the bus station?