Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| günaydın | /ɟy.najˈdɯn/ |
| günaydınlar | /ɟynajdɯnlaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| iyi sabahlar | /iji sabahlaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
| hayırlı sabahlar | /hajɯɾlɯ sabahlaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
These expressions are used when seeing someone for the first time in the morning.
What does it mean word for word?
The word günaydın is a compound of gün, meaning 'day' and aydın, meaning 'bright/light', so it literally means 'bright day'.
Which one should you use?
While iyi sabahlar is a literal translation of 'good mornings', it is less commonly used in daily conversation than günaydın. Hayırlı sabahlar carries a more formal or religious tone than günaydın, as hayırlı implies something is blessed or auspicious. Günaydınlar is a more enthusiastic or stylized way of saying good morning.
How do you pronounce it?
günaydın is pronounced /ɟy.najˈdɯn/. It has three syllables with the stress on the third syllable. The sounds are similar to the [g] in ar[g]ue, the [n] in [n]ot, the [y] in [y]es and the final vowel is somewhat like the [o] in ribb[o]n.
Did you know?
- The greeting günaydın is a relatively modern creation, appearing in the 1910s, unlike older, more traditional religious greetings.
- The word günaydın uses the word aydın, which also refers to a person who is highly educated or enlightened in Turkish.
- In Turkey, it is common to use günaydın even after the sun has risen high, as long as it is the first time you have encountered that person that day.
Examples in context
- Tom bana günaydın dedi.Tom said good morning to me.This sentence shows someone saying günaydın to a person.Tatoeba #3983467 by duran, translation #2643541 by CK
- Günaydın. Bugün hava güzel.Good morning. We have good weather today.This sentence uses günaydın as a greeting before mentioning the weather.Tatoeba #2216012 by neytiri, translation #434814 by lukaszpp
- Günaydın benim güneş ışığım.Good morning my sunshine.This sentence uses günaydın as an affectionate greeting.Tatoeba #5378246 by deyta, translation #5378214 by User72724
- Günaydın. Güzel bir gün geçirmenizi dilerim.Good morning. I wish you have a great day.
- 55 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Burak and Zeynep meet in the office kitchen.
- BurakGünaydın Zeynep.Good morning, Zeynep.
- ZeynepGünaydın Burak, nasılsın?Good morning Burak, how are you?
- Burakİyiyim, teşekkürler.I am fine, thanks.
- ZeynepBen de iyiyim.I am fine too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good morning” translations and entries günaydın, iyi sabahlar, hayırlı sabahlar, 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 günaydın, hayırlı, iyi, iyi sabahlar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
