merhaba aşkım
/meɾhaba aʃkɯm/from spelling rules
In Turkish, "hello, my love" is said as merhaba aşkım.
The phrase is an affectionate greeting used to address a romantic partner. While merhaba is a standard greeting, following it immediately with aşkım makes the expression highly intimate. It is typically reserved for romantic partners or very close family members.
How do you pronounce it?
/meɾhaba aʃkɯm/. The sounds are as follows: [m]uch for /m/, the American English sound in a[t]om for /ɾ/, [h]ome for /h/, a[b]out for /b/, [sh]oe for /ʃ/, [c]ore for /k/ and a sound somewhat like ribb[o]n for /ɯ/.
Did you know?
- While aşkım means 'my love', Turkish speakers often use it as a generic term of endearment for friends or even strangers in service industries like beauty salons.
- In traditional Sufi poetry, aşk often refers to the love between a human and God, making the phrase aşkım carry a historical spiritual weight.
- The word merhaba is derived from an Arabic expression meaning 'you have come to a spacious place', implying the guest is welcome and comfortable.
Examples in context
- Merhaba, sevgilim. Nasılsın?Hello, my love. How are you?
- Merhaba, aşkım. Bugün seni çok özledim.Hello, my love. I missed you so much today.
- Selam, sevgilim. Birlikte güzel bir akşam yemeği yiyelim mi?Hello, my love. Shall we have a nice dinner together?
- Selam, sevdiğim. Güneş gibi parlıyorsun.Hello, my beloved. You shine like the sun.
- Merhaba aşkım, nasılsın?Hello my love, how are you?
- Merhaba aşkım, seni çok özledim.Hello my love, I missed you so much.
- Günaydın ve merhaba aşkım.Good morning and hello my love.
Example conversation
Emre arrives home after a long day at work.
- ElifHoş geldin Emre.Welcome home, Emre.
- EmreMerhaba aşkım, ben geldim.Hello my love, I am here.
- ElifÇok yorgun görünüyorsun.You look very tired.
- EmreEvet, ama seni görünce geçecek.Yes, but it will pass when I see you.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries merhaba, CC BY-SA 4.0.
