How to Say “No” in Turkish
The usual way to say “No” in Turkish is Hayır. It is neutral: safe in almost any situation. Below are 4 alternatives (informal, colloquial), an example dialogue and the grammar behind it.
In Turkish
Hayır
- Literally
- “no”
- Register
- Neutralsafe in almost any situation
How Hayır is built
- hayırno
Other ways to say “No”
- YokInformal
“there isn’t; no”
Common casual “no”, especially to questions with var mı (is there…?).
- Hayır, teşekkürlerNeutral
“no, thanks”
Politely declining an offer.
- Yok, sağ olInformal
“no, thanks”
Casual decline.
- CıkColloquial
“tsk (no)”
A tongue click, often with raised eyebrows and the head tilted back.
Example dialogue
- A
Şeker ister misiniz?
Would you like sugar?
- B
Hayır, teşekkürler.
No, thanks.
Related phrases
All phrases →More everyday expressions
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“No” in Turkish: FAQ
How do you say “No” in Turkish?
The most common way is Hayır (literally “no”), which is neutral: safe in almost any situation. You will also hear Yok (“there isn’t; no”): common casual “no”, especially to questions with var mı (is there…?).
Is Hayır formal or informal?
Hayır is neutral, safe in almost any situation. For a informal alternative, use Yok (“there isn’t; no”).
When do Turks say Hayır?
A quick upward nod with raised eyebrows means “no” in Turkey, which visitors often misread as “yes”. Yok is the natural answer to var mı questions.
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