iyi geceler
/i.ji ɟe.d͡ʒeˈleɾ/
In Turkish, goodnight is expressed as iyi geceler.
The phrase iyi geceler is used when leaving someone for the night or when wishing someone a good sleep at the end of the day.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of iyi, meaning good and the plural form of gece, meaning night, so it literally translates to 'good nights'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'to say goodnight' or 'to wish goodnight', you use the verb demek (to say) or dilemek (to wish) after the phrase, such as in the form iyi geceler demek.
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase consists of 4 syllables with the stress on the 4th syllable. The sounds are: /i/ as in cr[ee]k, /j/ as in [y]es, /ɟ/ as in ar[g]ue, /dʒ/ as in [j]ump and /ɾ/ as in AmE a[t]om.
Did you know?
- While iyi geceler is used for 'goodnight', the Turkish word for 'night' gece is also used in the phrase gecekondu, which refers to a house built illegally overnight.
- Turkish speakers often follow iyi geceler with the phrase Allah rahatlık versin, which asks God to grant the person a restful sleep.
- The word iyi traces back to the Proto-Turkic root *ed, which meant 'thing' or 'goods', suggesting that 'good' originally referred to something useful or material.
Examples in context
- Tom iyi geceler dedi.Tom said goodnight.This sentence shows how to use the phrase as a reported action.Tatoeba #2601838 by duran, translation #2237637 by CK
- Şimdi iyi geceler demeliyim.I have to say goodnight now.This sentence illustrates using the phrase to express a necessity.Tatoeba #2921438 by duran, translation #2360564 by CK
- Ona iyi geceler demek zorundayım.I have to say goodnight to him.This sentence shows the phrase used when expressing an obligation toward someone.Tatoeba #4026186 by duran, translation #3907426 by CH
- İyi geceler size de.Goodnight to you as well.
- Rahat uyu!Sleep well!
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mehmet and Merve are leaving a friend's house late at night.
- MehmetHerkesle vedalaştık, iyi geceler Merve.We said goodbye to everyone, goodnight Merve.
- MerveTeşekkürler, sana da iyi geceler Mehmet.Thanks, goodnight to you too Mehmet.
- MehmetYarın görüşürüz.See you tomorrow.
- MerveGörüşürüz, iyi uykular.See you, sleep well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry iyi geceler, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries iyi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
