otobüs
/o.tɔ.ˈbys/
The English word "bus" is otobüs in Turkish.
Meaning: vehicle (noun)
Which one should you use?
While otobüs refers to a standard large bus, the word minibüs is used for the smaller passenger vans or minibuses commonly used for public transit in Turkey.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural "buses", use otobüsler. If the bus is the direct object of a sentence, it takes the accusative suffix -ü, becoming otobüsü. To show possession (for example, "the bus's door"), use the genitive form otobüsün.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the third syllable. The /b/ sound is like the [b] in "about" and the /s/ sound is like the [s] in "send". The IPA is /o.tɔ.ˈbys/.
Did you know?
- When riding a minibüs or dolmuş, it is a common custom for passengers to pass the fare forward from person to person until it reaches the driver.
- Turkish distinguishes between the otobüs and the metrobüs. The latter is a high-capacity bus system that runs in its own dedicated lane, separated from city traffic by barriers.
- The prefix oto- in otobüs comes from the Greek 'autos' meaning 'self', which entered Turkish via French to denote the self-propelled nature of the vehicle.
Examples in context
- O bir otobüs şoförü.He is a bus driver.This sentence is useful for identifying a bus driver using otobüs.Tatoeba #1258759 by duran, translation #292404 by CK
- Otobüs pason var mı?Do you have a bus pass?This sentence is useful for asking about a bus pass using otobüs.Tatoeba #3086741 by duran, translation #2822679 by Hybrid
- O bir otobüs durağı.That is a bus stop.This sentence is useful for identifying a bus stop using otobüs.Tatoeba #3097681 by duran, translation #2780932 by CC
- Otobüs nerde duruyor?Where does the bus stop?
- 1358 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mehmet and Merve are waiting at a stop.
- MehmetOtobüs ne zaman gelecek?When will the bus arrive?
- MerveBeş dakika sonra gelir.It arrives in five minutes.
- MehmetBu otobüs merkeze gider mi?Does this bus go to the center?
- MerveEvet, Mehmet, bu otobüs merkeze gider.Yes, Mehmet, this bus goes to the center.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bus” translations and entries otobüs, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
