Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| öğleden sonra | /øːleden sonɾa/ (from spelling rules) |
| ikindi | /icindi/ (from spelling rules) |
The term is used to describe the part of the day between noon and evening.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase öğleden sonra is a combination of öğle (noon), the ablative suffix -den (from) and sonra (after), literally meaning 'after noon'.
Which one should you use?
While öğleden sonra refers to the general period after noon, ikindi specifically refers to the late afternoon, often associated with the time the sun begins to descend or the 'ikindi prayer'.
How do you pronounce it?
/øːleden sonɾa/. The /n/ sound is like the [n] in [n]ot, the /s/ sound is like the [s] in [s]end and the /ɾ/ sound is like the [t] in AmE a[t]om.
When do people say it?
When greeting people formally in the afternoon, you can use Tünaydın, which carries the sense of 'May your day be bright' and is used from noon until evening. Alternatively, İyi günler is an all-purpose formal greeting that is suitable for use throughout the day, including the afternoon.
Did you know?
- The word ikindi is an ancient term rooted in the number 'two', likely referring to the 'second' part of the day or a specific division of time.
- In Turkish, İyi günler can be used as both a greeting when arriving and a farewell when leaving during the afternoon.
- In many Turkish-speaking regions, the term ikindi is not just a time, but a social marker for when the heat of the day begins to fade.
Examples in context
- Bu öğleden sonra boşum.I'm free this afternoon.This sentence shows how to express being free during öğleden sonra.Tatoeba #3138777 by duran, translation #2713490 by CK
- Öğleden sonra ne yedin?What did you eat in the afternoon?This sentence is used to ask what was eaten during öğleden sonra.Tatoeba #4320840 by duran, translation #2311563 by CM
- Öğleden sonra boş musun?Are you free in the afternoon?This sentence asks if someone is free during öğleden sonra.Tatoeba #1514075 by duran, translation #323154 by CK
- Herkese iyi günlerGood day, everyone
- 1112 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Selin and Mehmet are discussing their meeting time in a cafe.
- SelinÖğleden sonra buluşabilir miyiz?Can we meet in the afternoon?
- MehmetEvet, öğleden sonra müsaitim.Yes, I am available in the afternoon.
- SelinSaat üçte uygun mu?Is three o'clock suitable?
- MehmetTamam, saat üçte görüşürüz.Okay, see you at three.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “afternoon” translations and entries öğleden sonra, ikindi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ikindi, sonra, öğleden sonra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
