Learn Turkish Pronunciation: How to Speak More Naturally

In Turkish, words are often linked when one ends with a consonant and the next begins with a vowel. This is similar to English connected speech (when sounds are linked in words or phrases, like can I, look at, run into). In Turkish, this is called ulama.

Examples:

• yetmiş altı → /yet-mi-ŞAl-tı/ → seventy-six

• dün akşam → /dü-NAk-şam/ → yesterday evening

• yatak odası → /ya-ta-KO-da-sı/ → bedroom

• Türk ulusu → /tür-KU-lu-su/ → Turkish nation

• Görüşmek üzere. → /gö-rüş-me-KÜ-ze-re/ → See you.

• Mehmet Ali → /meh-me-TA-li/ → (male name)

With Verbs (etmek and olmak)

• tekrar etmek → /tek-ra-REt-mek/ → to repeat

• yardım etmek → /yar-dı-MEt-mek/ → to help

• Fark etmedim. → /far-KEt-me-dim/ → I didn’t notice.

• Çabuk ol! → /ça-bu-KOl/ → Be quick!

• Sakin ol! → /sa-ki-NOl/ → Be calm!

• Pişman olursun. → /piş-ma-NO-lur-sun/ → You will regret.

  
  

In some verbs with etmek and occasionally with olmak, the connection is also reflected in spelling, with slight changes:

• kaybolmak (kayıp olmak) → to get lost

• hissetmek (his etmek) → to feel

• seyretmek (seyir etmek) → to watch

• affetmek (af etmek) → to forgive

• emretmek (emir etmek) → to order (tell someone to do something)

• küfretmek (küfür etmek) → to swear (use rude and offensive language)

  
  

Like in English, ulama is a natural way to make pronunciation easier and smoother. Try pronouncing the following both with and without ulama. Notice that the connected form is always easier and more natural to say:

• dün akşam → /dü-NAk-şam/ vs. /dün ak-şam/

• yatak odası → /ya-ta-KO-da-sı/ vs. /ya-tak o-da-sı/

• pişman olmak → /piş-ma-NOl-mak/ vs. /piş-man ol-mak/

• Fark etmedim → /far-KEt-me-dim/ vs. /fark et-me-dim/

Tip: Many learners feel native speakers speak very fast — sometimes this is due to ulama. As you start noticing ulama, you’ll realize that native speech isn’t as fast as it seems. Pay attention to it when speaking to natives, watching TV, or listening to songs; noticing ulama will quickly improve your listening skills!