Blog Dictionary

I like using Turkish in my blog, but for most of you, you may not know what I am talking about. I will make a list of the words I commonly use in my posts.

First off, those wonky extra letters in the alphabet:

c - looks normal, but makes a "j" sound like in "jet"

ç - "ch" sounds, like in cherry, chuch. 

g - looks normal too, but will always sound like "g" in google, never like "g" in genes. 

ğ - its silent. Just lengthen the sound of the proceeding vowel

 ı - "uh", its an i that has no tittle (the dot), its like an 'i' that lost its hat. 

ö - an elongated "o" sound like in German

ş - "sh" like shirt

ü - an elongated "u" sound

Area Names; places I mention:

Beyoğlu - Bay-o-lu

Bakırköy - Bah-kur-kooy

Cihangir - Je-han-gear

Kabataş - Ka-ba-tash

Şişli - Shish-li

Kadıköy - Ka-duk-kooy

Bostancı - Bow-stahn-ju

Cadde Bostan - Jahd-deh Bow-stahn

Bağdat Caddesi - Bah-daht  Jahd-des-ee

Common words and phrases:

çok (chok): means "very" or "a lot". I mix this in with my english often now

çay (chai): tea, normal, black, everyday tea drunk here, not like the fancy chai from coffee shops. 

canim (jan-im): my life, my dear. A term of affection, used frequently

aşkim (ah-sh-kim): My love, another term of affection, used frequently, especially in couples

deniz otobus: fast ferry boats

dolmuş (dole-mush): public transportation, a bus/taxi hybrid of awesomeness. 

kedi or kediler: cat or cats

Erdoğan - Air-dough-on (the Prime Minister, duh)