Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| çok yaşa | /t͡ʃok jaʃa/ (from spelling rules) | informal, singular |
| çok yaşayın | /t͡ʃok jaʃajɯn/ (from spelling rules) | formal, plural |
This phrase is said to somebody who has sneezed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase çok yaşa literally means "live long" or "live much".
Which one should you use?
çok yaşa is the singular form, while çok yaşayın is the plural or formal version used to say "live long" to a group or an individual.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
çok yaşa is an informal version used for friends, family or people younger than you. çok yaşayın is the formal version used when addressing someone with respect or addressing a group.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form çok yaşa is used for friends, family or people younger than you.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃok jaʃa/. The [ch]ange sound corresponds to /tʃ/, the [c]ore sound to /k/, the [y]es sound to /j/ and the [sh]oe sound to /ʃ/.
When do people say it?
When someone says çok yaşa to you after you sneeze, a common response is sen de gör, which means "you see it too".
Did you know?
- In Turkish culture, sneezing is not seen as a medical event requiring a blessing, but as a momentary 'death' or a signal for a wish for longevity.
- The phrase çok yaşa avoids any mention of 'God' or 'spirit', making it perfectly suitable for both religious and secular Turkish societies.
- The word yaşa comes from the root yaş, which means 'age'. This creates a linguistic link between the act of living and the measurement of time.
Examples in context
- Ben de iyiyim, Tanrı sizi korusun.I'm also fine, may God protect you.
- Çok yaşa!God bless you!
- Aman, çok yaşa.Oh, god bless you.
- Hapşırdın, çok yaşa.You sneezed, god bless you.
Example conversation
Burak and Selin are sitting in a cafe together.
- SelinHapşu!Achoo!
- BurakÇok yaşa, Selin!God bless you, Selin!
- SelinSendele!Bless you too!
- BurakTeşekkür ederim.Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “God bless you” translations and entries çok yaşa, çok yaşayın, 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.
