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How to Say “Keep the Change” in Turkish

The usual way to say “Keep the change” in Turkish is Üstü kalsın. It is neutral: safe in almost any situation. Below are 3 alternatives, how to reply, an example dialogue and the grammar behind it.

In Turkish

Üstü kalsın

Literally
“its top let-it-stay”
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Neutralsafe in almost any situation

How Üstü kalsın is built

  1. üst-üits top; the change (short for para üstü)
  2. kal-stay
  3. -sınlet it (3rd person imperative)
Grammar guideTurkish Imperative & Optative Moods: Commands, Invitations (Gidelim, Yapalım) →Grammar guideTurkish Possessive Suffixes (İyelik Ekleri) & Noun Compounds →Conjugate the verbkalmak (to stay, to remain) →

Other ways to say “Keep the change”

  • Para üstü kalsınNeutral

    “keep the change”

    Fuller.

  • Bozuk paranız var mı?Neutral

    “do you have small change?”

    Before paying with a big note.

  • Bozabilir misiniz?Neutral

    “can you break this note?”

    Bozmak = to break (money).

How to reply

  • Çok teşekkürler, iyi günler!

    Thanks a lot, have a nice day!

Example dialogue

  1. A

    Yüz seksen lira.

    A hundred and eighty lira.

  2. B

    Buyurun, iki yüz. Üstü kalsın.

    Here’s two hundred. Keep the change.

  3. A

    Sağ olun, iyi günler!

    Thank you, have a nice day!

Related phrases

All phrases →
Is service included?Servis ücreti dâhil mi?NeutralCall a taxi, pleaseBir taksi çağırır mısınız?FormalCan I pay by card?Kartla ödeyebilir miyim?NeutralHow much is it?Ne kadar?Neutral

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“Keep the change” in Turkish: FAQ

How do you say “Keep the change” in Turkish?

The most common way is Üstü kalsın (literally “its top let-it-stay”), which is neutral: safe in almost any situation. You will also hear Para üstü kalsın (“keep the change”): fuller.

How do you reply to Üstü kalsın?

Typical replies are Çok teşekkürler, iyi günler! (“Thanks a lot, have a nice day!”).

What does each part of Üstü kalsın mean?

üst-ü = its top; the change (short for para üstü); kal- = stay; -sın = let it (3rd person imperative). Change is para üstü (“money on top”), and üstü kalsın is how you leave it as a tip.

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