How to Say "Hello, How Are You?" in Turkish

merhaba, nasılsın?

The English phrase "hello, how are you?" is translated into Turkish as merhaba, nasılsın?

This phrase is a common greeting used to start a conversation and ask about someone's well-being. You can use Merhaba to say "Hello" and combine it with inquiries about a person's state. For a very casual version of "What's up?", you might use Naber?

What does it mean word for word?

The word nasılsın is a combination of the interrogative pronoun nasıl (how) and the second-person singular suffix -sın (you are).

Which one should you use?

While nasılsın? is the informal singular way to ask "how are you?", you should use nasılsınız? when addressing someone formally or a group of people. For a much more colloquial and informal greeting among close friends, you can say Selam, naber?

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

The phrase merhaba, nasılsın? is informal. Use nasılsınız? to be polite or formal. If you want a very casual greeting, use Selam for "Hi" or "Hey" or the casual Naber? for "What's up?"

How does it change in a sentence?

The phrase changes from merhaba, nasılsın? to merhaba, nasılsınız? when you shift from addressing an informal individual to addressing someone formally or a group of people.

When do people say it?

A common way to respond to nasılsın? is to say İyiyim, teşekkür ederim, which means "I am fine, thank you."

Did you know?

The word merhaba is actually a wish for someone to enter a spacious, comfortable place. It stems from the Arabic root meaning 'wide' or 'spacious', implying you are welcoming someone into your space.
In many parts of Turkey, greeting someone with merhaba is often accompanied by a slight nod or a hand placed over the heart to show sincerity.
When replying to nasılsın?, many people will add Allah'a şükür which means 'thanks to God', even in non-religious social contexts, to indicate they are doing well.

Examples in context

Merhaba, nasılsın? Bugün çok neşelisin.
Hello, how are you? You look very cheerful today.
Merhaba, nasılsın? Yeni işin nasıl gidiyor?
Hello, how are you? How is your new job going?

Example conversation

Elif and Can meet at a cafe.

Elif

Merhaba, nasılsın?
Hello, how are you?
Can

İyiyim, teşekkür ederim. Sen nasılsın?
I am fine, thank you. How are you?
Elif

Ben de iyiyim, teşekkürler.
I am fine too, thanks.
Can

Görüşürüz Elif!
See you later, Elif!

Sources

Word origins: Wiktionary entries merhaba, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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How to Say “Hello, How Are You?” in Turkish