What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adverb hoşça (pleasantly or well) and the verb kal (stay).
Which one should you use?
hoşça kal is used when addressing one person. In contrast, hoşça kalın is the version used when addressing multiple people or when you want to show formal respect. Another common alternative is güle güle, which means 'go smilingly'. While hoşça kal can be used by either person in a parting, güle güle is traditionally said by the person who is staying to the person who is leaving.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations or when addressing a group, you should use hoşça kalın. To say 'take care of yourself' in a formal way, you can use Kendinize iyi bakın. In informal settings, you can say 'take care of yourself' by using Kendine iyi bak.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase hoşça kal is the command form of the verb kalmak (to stay), functioning as a parting wish to 'stay well'.
How do you pronounce it?
/hoʃtʃa kal/. The /h/ 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?
When using güle güle (go smilingly), remember that it is traditionally used by the person who is staying to wish the person leaving a happy departure.
Did you know?
- Turkish has a specific way of saying 'goodbye' to someone who is starting a journey, using the phrase yolun açık olsun, which means 'may your road be open'.
- The word hoş in hoşça kal is also the root of hoş geldiniz, the standard way to say 'welcome'. Both phrases focus on the 'pleasantness' of the person's presence or absence.
- The phrase hoşça kal is grammatically an imperative command. Instead of saying 'I wish you a good stay', you are literally commanding the other person to 'stay pleasantly'.
Examples in context
- Sana hoşça kal demeliyim.I must say good-bye to you.This sentence shows how to use the form hoşça kal to say one must 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 uses hoşça kal to show an instance where someone did not say goodbye.Tatoeba #4857346 by deyta, translation #4846766 by Hybrid
- Hoşça kal demeden uzaklaştı.She walked away without saying good bye.This sentence demonstrates using hoşça kal when someone leaves without saying goodbye.Tatoeba #1765387 by duran, translation #316900 by CK
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mehmet and Merve are parting ways at a bus stop.
- MehmetHoşça kal, Merve!Bye, Merve!
- MerveGörüşürüz, Mehmet.See you, Mehmet.
- MehmetKendine iyi bak.Take care of yourself.
- MerveSen de öyle.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.
