What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hayırlı, meaning blessed or auspicious and the plural form of Ramazan (Ramadan).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this greeting, the noun Ramazan takes the plural suffix -lar to form the phrase, literally translating to 'Blessed Ramadans'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /hajɯɾlɯ ɾamazanlaɾ/. The /h/ is like [h]ome, /j/ is like [y]es, /ɯ/ is somewhat like ribb[o]n, /ɾ/ is like AmE a[t]om, /m/ is like [m]uch, /z/ is like [z]one and /n/ is like [n]ot.
When do people say it?
When someone greets you with this phrase, a common way to respond is to say Size de hayırlı Ramazanlar (Blessed Ramadans to you too). You may also hear the response Sağ ol! İyi bayramlar! which means 'Thank you! Happy holidays!' If you are specifically wishing someone a blessed Ramadan holy festival in a formal manner, you can use Ramazan Bayramınız Mübarek Olsun! For a more informal setting, you can say Ramazan Bayramın Kutlu Olsun! to mean 'May your Ramadan holiday be blessed'.
Did you know?
- In Turkey, the greeting Hayırlı Ramazanlar is often accompanied by the tradition of sahur, the pre-dawn meal. In some neighborhoods, sahurcular used to walk the streets beating drums to wake people up for this meal.
- The word hayırlı comes from the Arabic root ḵayr, meaning 'good'. This same root is found in the word hayır, which in modern Turkish has a surprising double meaning as both 'charity' and the word for 'no'.
- In Turkish culture, it is common to respond to a Ramadan greeting not just by returning the wish, but by saying Sağ ol!, which literally means 'Be healthy' or 'Stay alive'.
Examples in context
- Hayırlı Ramazanlar.Ramadan Mubarak.This sentence demonstrates the use of Hayırlı Ramazanlar.Tatoeba #8723068 by soliloquist, translation #8723084 by shekitten
- Hayırlı Ramazanlar dilerim.I wish you a blessed Ramadan.
- Hayırlı Ramazanlar, hepinize.Have a blessed Ramadan, everyone.
Example conversation
Can and Zeynep meet at a cafe before breaking their fast.
- CanHayırlı Ramazanlar, Zeynep.Have a blessed Ramadan, Zeynep.
- ZeynepTeşekkürler Can, sana da.Thanks Can, to you too.
- CanSağ ol, oruç nasıl gidiyor?Thank you, how is the fasting going?
- ZeynepBiraz zor ama iyiyim.It is a bit hard, but I am fine.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hayırlı, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
