size nasıl yardımcı olabilirim?
The Turkish phrase for "how can I help you?" is size nasıl yardımcı olabilirim?
This phrase is a polite question used by service providers, such as staff in shops, hotels or call centers, to ask a customer what they need. To make the greeting sound even more natural and polite in a professional setting, you can add Buyurun to the beginning: Buyurun, nasıl yardımcı olabilirim?
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase size nasıl yardımcı olabilirim? breaks down literally as "to you how can I be helpful?": size (to you), nasıl (how), yardımcı (helper/helpful) and olabilirim (I can be).
Which one should you use?
There are different ways to address the person you are helping depending on the level of familiarity. Sana nasıl yardımcı olabilirim? is the informal version, whereas size nasıl yardımcı olabilirim? and Nasıl yardımcı olabilirim? are used for formal or polite address.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase Sana nasıl yardımcı olabilirim? uses the informal pronoun sana to address someone directly, which changes the register from the polite size.
Did you know?
- The word buyurun, often used before this phrase, comes from the root for 'command'. It literally invites the customer to give an order or a command to the staff.
- The word nasıl is actually a combination of two words: ne meaning 'what' and asıl meaning 'original' or 'real'.
- Turkish has a distinct 'helper' noun yardımcı created by adding the suffix -cı. This same suffix is used to turn almost any object or activity into a profession, such as 'bookseller' or 'tea-seller'.
Examples in context
- Efendim, size nasıl yardımcı olabilirim?Sir, how can I help you?
Example conversation
Mehmet is a shop assistant and Elif enters a clothing store.
- MehmetHoş geldiniz, size nasıl yardımcı olabilirim?Welcome, how can I help you?
- ElifMerhaba, sadece bakınıyorum.Hello, I am just looking.
- MehmetTabii ki, bir şeye ihtiyacınız olursa buradayım.Of course, I am here if you need anything.
- ElifTeşekkürler, çok naziksiniz.Thanks, you are very kind.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nasıl, yardımcı, CC BY-SA 4.0.
