How to pronounce Turkish
Say it like TUR-kish. Turkish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Turkish. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TUR
- kish
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Turkish pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- kishKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of Turkish
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TUR-kish.
What does Turkish mean?
- of or relating to or characteristic of Turkey or its people or language“Turkish towels”
- a Turkic language spoken by the Turks
Where does Turkish come from?
From Turk + -ish. Doublet of turquoise.
Questions about saying Turkish
How do you pronounce Turkish?
Say TUR-kish. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɝkɪʃ/. In British English it is /ˈtɜːkɪʃ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Turkish?
Turkish has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TUR). Broken into parts: TUR · kish.
Is Turkish pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈtɜːkɪʃ/ (TUR-kish).