What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb hoşça (pleasantly/nicely) and the verb kal (stay). Literally, it means "stay pleasantly."
Which one should you use?
Use hoşça kal when speaking to one person informally, and hoşça kalın when speaking to multiple people or being formal.
How does it change in a sentence?
The imperative verb kal changes to kalın to address more than one person or to show politeness/formality.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /hoʃtʃa kal/. The [h] sound is like the [h] in home, [ʃ] is like the [sh] in shoe, [tʃ] is like the [ch] in change and [k] is like the [c] in core.
When do people say it?
In Turkish, hoşça kal is typically said by the person who is leaving, while the person staying often says güle güle (go smilingly). Görüşmek üzere means Until we meet again and is a friendly way to say goodbye, and is also a common natural response to a goodbye. Görüşürüz is a popular and casual way to say We'll see each other.
Did you know?
- Turkish speakers may use allaha emanet, meaning 'entrust you to God', as a deeply meaningful alternative to hoşça kal when parting from close friends or family.
- While hoşça kal is a goodbye, the word hoş also forms the basis of hoş geldiniz, which means 'welcome'. It reflects a cultural emphasis on 'pleasantness' during both the arrival and departure of a guest.
- A common, very casual way to say 'bye' among young people is bay bay, which is a phonetic loan from the English 'bye bye'.
Examples in context
- Sana hoşça kal demeliyim.I must say good-bye to you.This sentence shows how to use hoşça kal to say goodbye to someone.Tatoeba #3934666 by maydoo, translation #54006 by U2FS
- Tom hoşça kal bile demedi.Tom didn't even say good-bye.This sentence illustrates a situation where someone did not even say hoşça kal.Tatoeba #4857346 by deyta, translation #4846766 by Hybrid
- Hoşça kal demeden uzaklaştı.She walked away without saying good bye.This sentence demonstrates leaving a place without saying hoşça kal.Tatoeba #1765387 by duran, translation #316900 by CK
- Hoşça kal, Ahmet BeyStay well, Mr. Ahmet
- Güle güle, AnneBye bye, Mom
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Can and Zeynep are parting ways after a coffee date.
- CanHoşça kal, Zeynep.Bye, Zeynep.
- ZeynepGörüşürüz, Can.See you, Can.
- CanKendine iyi bak.Take care of yourself.
- ZeynepSen de.You too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hoşça kal, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
