Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| ülke | /ylce/ (from spelling rules) |
| memleket | /mem.leˈcet/ |
| el | /ˈel/ |
| devlet | /dev.let/ |
The term refers to a nation state or a geographical country.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on your context: ülke is the standard, neutral term for a nation state or geographical country. memleket is used when expressing emotional attachment to one's homeland or native region. devlet refers specifically to the political institution or the state apparatus rather than the land or the nation. el is used in specific idioms to refer to a foreign land or the territory of strangers.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'countries', use ülkeler. The genitive form of ülke, meaning 'of the country', is ülke'nin.
How do you pronounce it?
The IPA is /ylce/. The 'c' sound is like the 'k' in the English word 'skew'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use ülke to mean 'countryside'. When referring to rural areas, use kırsal or köy.
Did you know?
- The standard word ülke is rooted in an ancient concept of division, coming from a Proto-Turkic root meaning 'to divide'.
- The word memleket is often used to describe a person's hometown or village, not just a whole country.
Examples in context
- Bu hoş bir ülke.It's a lovely country.This sentence is useful for describing a country as lovely using ülke.Tatoeba #5962097 by duran, translation #5961616 by mailohilohi
- Bu ülkede iş yok.There are no jobs in this country.This sentence is useful for mentioning the lack of jobs in a country using ülke.Tatoeba #5988621 by duran, translation #5988093 by mailohilohi
- Bu özgür bir ülke.It's a free country.This sentence is useful for describing a country as free using ülke.Tatoeba #4949307 by duran, translation #2342012 by Hybrid
- Türkiye gerçekten harika bir ülke.Turkey is truly a wonderful country.
- Öğrencilerimizin farklı ülkelerden gelmiş olduğunu biliyor musunuz?Do you know that our students come from different countries?
- Ülkemdeki doğal güzellikleri keşfetmek istiyor musun?Do you want to explore the natural beauties of my country?
- 1180 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their travel plans at a cafe.
- MehmetGelecek yaz hangi ülkeye gitmek istersin?Which country do you want to go to next summer?
- MerveBelki İtalya'ya gitmek isterim.Maybe I would like to go to Italy.
- MehmetO ülke çok güzel manzaralara sahip.That country has very beautiful landscapes.
- MerveEvet, orayı çok merak ediyorum.Yes, I am very curious about it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “country” translations and entries ülke, memleket, el, devlet, 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 devlet, el, memleket, ülke, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
