Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| lezzetli | /lez.zetˈli/ |
| tatlı | /tatˈɫɯ/ |
| leziz | /leziz/ (from spelling rules) |
| enfes | /enfes/ (from spelling rules) |
| nefis | /neˈfis/ |
In Turkish, there are several ways to express that food is pleasing to the taste. While lezzetli is the standard and most common term for any type of food, other words can be used to add emphasis or change the tone of your description.
What does it mean word for word?
The word lezzetli is derived from lezzet, which means 'flavor' or 'taste'.
Which one should you use?
Lezzetli is the standard, neutral way to say something is delicious for any food. enfes being more emphatic. Nefis is a highly common and expressive term used in everyday speech. Use tatlı only when you specifically mean 'sweet'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Lezzetli is a neutral adjective suitable for any situation. Enfes is a more emphatic and slightly more formal way to describe exceptionally delicious food. For a more formal way to describe food that is perfect, you might use mükemmel. In informal, everyday speech, you can use nefis to say something tastes wonderful or şahane to describe food as magnificent or splendid. If food has a pleasant aroma and taste, the informal term mis gibi is often used.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, lezzetli follows the noun it modifies and does not change based on the noun's plurality or case.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /lez.zetˈli/. The stress is on the third of three syllables. The 'z' sound is like the [z] in the English word 'zone', and the 'i' sound is like the [ee] in 'creek'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using tatlı to mean 'delicious' for savory foods. Its primary meaning is 'sweet'.
When do people say it?
When expressing extreme delight or excitement about how something tastes in an informal setting, you might say bayıldım.
Did you know?
- In Turkish culture, the phrase eline sağlık meaning 'health to your hands' is the customary way to tell a cook their food was delicious.
- While lezzetli describes the taste, the word bayıldım is used to express extreme delight, literally meaning 'I fainted' from how good the food is.
- The term enfes comes from the Arabic word for 'most precious' or 'most valuable', implying that the food is of the highest quality.
Examples in context
- Bu en lezzetli elma.This is the most delicious apple.This sentence uses lezzetli to show how to identify the most delicious apple.Tatoeba #3404599 by deyta, translation #60355 by shekitten
- Bu lezzetli değil mi?Isn't it delicious?This sentence uses lezzetli to form a question about whether something is delicious.Tatoeba #3984514 by duran, translation #3738573 by CK
- Bu elma çok lezzetli.This apple is very delicious.This sentence uses lezzetli to express that an apple is very delicious.Tatoeba #10233868 by tulin, translation #8057214 by CK
- Bu kebap gerçekten harika!This kebab is truly wonderful!
- 256 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Can and Elif are eating dinner together.
- CanBu yemek gerçekten çok lezzetli.This meal is really delicious.
- ElifBeğenmene sevindim, Can.I am glad you like it, Can.
- CanTarifini bana verir misin?Will you give me the recipe?
- ElifTabii ki veririm, Elif yaptı.Of course I will, Elif made it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “delicious” translations and entries lezzetli, tatlı, leziz, enfes, nefis, 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 enfes, leziz, lezzetli, tatlı, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
