How to Say “Turn Left” in Turkish
The usual way to say “Turn left” in Turkish is Sola dönün. It is formal: polite: for strangers, elders, customers and officials. Below are 4 alternatives (informal, colloquial, neutral), how to reply, an example dialogue and the grammar behind it.
In Turkish
Sola dönün
- Literally
- “to the left turn”
- Register
- Formalpolite: for strangers, elders, customers and officials
How Sola dönün is built
- sol-ato the left (dative)
- dön-turn
- -ünpolite imperative
Other ways to say “Turn left”
- Sola dönInformal
“turn left (informal)”
To a friend who is driving.
- Sağa dönünFormal
“turn right”
Sağ = right.
- SoldanColloquial
“from the left”
Taxi shorthand: “take the left”.
- İkinci sokaktan solaNeutral
“left at the second street”
Ablative for the street you turn from.
How to reply
Tamam, sola.
OK, left.
Example dialogue
- A
Işıklardan sola dönün, sonra düz gidin.
Turn left at the lights, then go straight.
- B
Sola, sonra düz. Teşekkürler!
Left, then straight. Thanks!
Related phrases
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Go deeper
“Turn left” in Turkish: FAQ
How do you say “Turn left” in Turkish?
The most common way is Sola dönün (literally “to the left turn”), which is formal: polite: for strangers, elders, customers and officials. You will also hear Sola dön (“turn left (informal)”): to a friend who is driving.
How do you reply to Sola dönün?
Typical replies are Tamam, sola. (“OK, left.”).
What does each part of Sola dönün mean?
sol-a = to the left (dative); dön- = turn; -ün = polite imperative. The direction takes the dative (sola, sağa) and the place where you turn takes the ablative: ışıklardan sola dönün (turn left at the lights).
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