kolay
/kolaj/from spelling rules
The English word 'easy' is translated to Turkish as kolay. Wiktionary also lists rahat.
Meaning: requiring little skill or effort (adj)
Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| kolay | /kolaj/ (from spelling rules) |
| rahat | /ɾahat/ (from spelling rules) |
The word kolay is an adjective used to describe something requiring little skill or effort. You can also use the adverbial form kolayca to mean 'easily'.
Which one should you use?
While kolay refers to the level of difficulty, the word rahat is often used colloquially to mean 'easy' in the sense of being comfortable, relaxed or effortless.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /kolaj/. The /k/ sound is like the [c] in 'core' and the /j/ sound is like the [y] in 'yes'.
When do people say it?
A very common polite expression is Kolay gelsin, which means 'May it come easy' or 'May your work be easy'. This is used when greeting or leaving someone who is working to wish them that their task goes easily.
Did you know?
- The word kolay originally meant 'handy' or 'at hand', as it is built from the root for 'arm' or 'hand'.
- The phrase Kolay gelsin is so ingrained in culture that people say it to strangers, such as shopkeepers or taxi drivers, even if they have no connection to the person's specific task.
- When someone says Kolay gelsin to you, the standard polite response is not to say 'thank you' but to reply Sağ ol, which literally means 'be healthy'.
Examples in context
- Bu iş çok kolay.This job is dead easy.This sentence is useful for describing a job as being very easy using kolay.Tatoeba #5315733 by duran, translation #2307531 by erikspen
- Bu kolay bir yol.This is an easy way.This sentence is useful for describing an easy way using kolay.Tatoeba #2069759 by duran, translation #1656393 by CM
- O ne kadar kolay?How easy is that?This sentence is useful for asking about the level of difficulty using kolay.Tatoeba #5760540 by duran, translation #5758231 by CM
- Bu görev kolaydır.This task is easy
- Bu kavram basit.This concept is easy
- 1374 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Burak and Merve are discussing a homework assignment.
- BurakÖdev seni zorladı mı, Merve?Did the homework challenge you, Merve?
- MerveHayır, sorular çok kolaydı.No, the questions were very easy.
- BurakGerçekten mi? Ben saatlerce uğraştım.Really? I struggled for hours.
- Merveİstersen sana yardımcı olabilirim, Burak.I can help you if you want, Burak.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “easy” translations and entries kolay, rahat, 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 kolay, rahat, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
