What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of yıl (year), dönüm (turn/anniversary), -ünüz (your – plural/polite), kutlu (blessed/holy) and olsun (let it be).
Which one should you use?
While mutlu yıl dönümü is a literal translation of "happy anniversary", yıl dönümünüz kutlu olsun is the much more natural and idiomatic way to express this sentiment in Turkish.
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -ünüz in dönümünüz makes the phrase plural or polite, which is the standard way to address a couple on their anniversary. To say "happy anniversary" to a single friend or a person you are close to, use the singular suffix -ün instead of the polite -ünüz, resulting in yıl dönümün kutlu olsun.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /jɯl dønymynyz kutlu olsun/. The sounds are as follows: /j/ as in [y]es, /ɯ/ somewhat like ribb[o]n, /n/ as in [n]ot, /m/ as in [m]uch, /z/ as in [z]one, /k/ as in [c]ore, /u/ as in c[oo]l and /s/ as in [s]end.
Did you know?
- The word kut inside kutlu refers to a concept of divine spiritual power or cosmic blessing in ancient Turkic mythology. This gives the greeting a much deeper, more ancient weight than a simple social pleasantry.
- Turkish speakers may accompany this phrase with the gesture of kissing the hand of an elder couple to show respect during the celebration.
- The word dönüm in yıl dönümü also refers to a traditional unit of land measurement in Turkey.
Examples in context
- Evlilik yıl dönümünüz kutlu olsun.Happy wedding anniversary.
- Şirket yıl dönümünüz kutlu olsun!Happy company anniversary!
Example conversation
Burak and Elif are greeting a couple at a dinner party.
- BurakYıl dönümünüz kutlu olsun!Happy anniversary!
- ElifÇok teşekkür ederiz Burak.Thank you very much, Burak.
- BurakKaçıncı yılınız oluyor?Which anniversary is it?
- ElifTam onuncu yılımız.It is exactly our tenth year.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kutlu, yıl, CC BY-SA 4.0.
