Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| sağlık | /saːˈɫɯk/ |
| sıhhat | /sɯhˈhatʲ/ |
| afiyet | /afijet/ (from spelling rules) |
| esenlik | /esænˈlik/ |
The term refers to the state of being free of physical or psychological disease, illness or malfunction.
What does it mean word for word?
The word sağlık is derived from the adjective sağ, which means 'alive' or 'healthy'.
Which one should you use?
sağlık is the most common and standard word for health used in modern Turkish. sıhhat is a more formal or old-fashioned term, often appearing in specific idioms or formal greetings. afiyet is used in the context of physical well-being and is most commonly heard in phrases related to eating or recovery.
How do you pronounce it?
The IPA is /saːˈɫɯk/. The [s] sound is like the [s] in 'send', the [ɯ] sound is somewhat like the [o] in 'ribbon' and the [k] sound is like the [c] in 'core'.
When do people say it?
The word afiyet is the root of the common phrase 'Afiyet olsun', which is said to someone who is eating to mean 'Bon appétit' or 'May it do you good'. Additionally, the idiomatic phrase 'Sağlık olsun' is used to say 'never mind' or 'don't worry about it' when something goes wrong, implying that as long as one is healthy, the loss doesn't matter.
Did you know?
- While sağlık is standard, sıhhat is frequently used in the phrase Sıhhatler olsun, which is said specifically to someone who has just had a haircut or shave.
- Turkish uses the word sıhhat in the expression Sıhhatine kurban, a dramatic way of saying someone is so healthy and beautiful that the speaker would sacrifice themselves for them.
- The word sağ also means 'right' when referring to a direction, showing a deep connection between being 'healthy/alive' and the 'right' side in certain contexts.
Examples in context
- Sağlık ve lezzet için!For health and pleasure!This sentence shows how to use sağlık in a toast for health and pleasure.Tatoeba #473746 by deyta, translation #473758 by FeuDRenais
- Bu sağlık için iyidir.It's good for your health.This sentence demonstrates using sağlık to describe something being good for your health.Tatoeba #5022087 by duran, translation #794925 by shekitten
- Sağlık sigortan var mı?Do you have health insurance?This sentence shows how sağlık is used in the term health insurance.Tatoeba #4823611 by deyta, translation #1654183 by Spamster
- Her şey gönlünüzce olsun ve sağlığınız daima yerinde olsun.May everything be as you wish, and may your health always be good.
- Sağlığın için elimden geleni yapacağım.I'll do my best for your health.
- Geçmiş olsun, sağlık problemlerini bir an önce aşmanı diliyorum.Get well soon, I hope you overcome your health problems as soon as possible.
- 202 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Merve and Burak are talking about a new wellness lifestyle.
- MerveSağlık her şeyden önce gelir.Health comes before everything.
- BurakHaklısın, düzenli uyumak çok önemli.You're right, sleeping regularly is very important.
- MerveSenin sağlığın için daha çok su içmelisin.You should drink more water for your health.
- BurakTamam, bundan sonra daha dikkatli olacağım.Okay, I will be more careful from now on.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “health” translations and entries sağlık, sıhhat, afiyet, esenlik, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
