Ways to say it
| Turkish | Note |
|---|---|
| nasılsın? | informal |
| nasılsınız? | formal |
These phrases are used as greetings to ask about someone's well-being. In informal settings, you might also hear Nasılsın, naber?, where naber is a slang term meaning "what's up". Other variations include Nasılsın, iyi misin? for informal contexts and Nasılsınız, iyi misiniz? or Nasılsınız, sağlığınız iyi mi? for more formal inquiries.
What does it mean word for word?
The word nasıl means "how". The suffixes added to it determine the subject: -sın is the second-person singular suffix (you are), while -sınız is the second-person plural or formal suffix (you are).
Which one should you use?
Use nasılsın? when speaking to one friend, a child or someone you know well. Use nasılsınız? when speaking to a stranger, a superior or a group of people.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
nasılsın? is the informal form. nasılsınız? is the formal form.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is constructed using the word nasıl (how) combined with person-specific suffixes. The suffix -sın is used for the singular informal "you", and the suffix -sınız is used for the plural or formal "you".
When do people say it?
When someone asks how you are, a common response is İyiyim, which means "I am fine". It is considered polite to follow your response with teşekkür ederim (thank you) or sağ ol (thanks).
Did you know?
- When responding to nasılsınız?, Turks often use the word hamdolsun, which means 'thanks be to God'. It is used by people of various levels of religiosity as a cultural idiom for 'I am doing well'.
- While nasılsın? asks 'how are you', a very common related greeting is Ne var ne yok?, which translates to 'what is there and what is not there?'
- The informal greeting naber? is actually a contraction of the phrase ne haber?, which literally translates to 'what is the news?'
Examples in context
- Sen ve Tom nasılsınız?How are you and Tom?This sentence shows how to use the formal form when addressing more than one person.Tatoeba #12070226 by deyta, translation #12069709 by CK
- İyiyim, peki sen nasılsın?I'm fine. And how are you?This example demonstrates a common exchange using the informal form.Tatoeba #3368426 by deyta, translation #3249270 by nava
- Uzun zaman oldu. Nasılsın?It's been a while. How are you?This example shows how to use the informal form after a period of time has passed.Tatoeba #4803384 by deyta, translation #1736442 by Sibelius
- Güler Hanım, merhaba! Nasılsınız?Hello, Mrs. Güler! How are you?
- Sayın Başkan, nasılsınız, iyi misiniz?Dear President, how are you, are you well?
- Müdür Bey, nasılsınız, sağlığınız iyi mi?Mr. Manager, how are you, is your health fine?
- Selim, selam! Nasılsın?Hi Selim! How are you?
- Ayşe, naber? Nasılsın?Hey Ayşe! What's up? How are you?
- İyiyim, teşekkür ederim. Siz nasılsınız?I'm fine, thank you. How about you?
- İyiyim, sağ ol. Naber?I'm fine, thanks. What's up?
- 75 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends run into each other at a cafe.
- CanSelam Elif, nasılsın?Hi Elif, how are you?
- Elifİyiyim, teşekkür ederim. Sen nasılsın?I am fine, thank you. How are you?
- CanBen de iyiyim.I am also fine.
- ElifHarika, görüşürüz!Great, see you!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “how are you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
