Ways to say it
| Turkish | IPA |
|---|---|
| öğrenci | /øːɾænˈdʒi/ |
| üniversiteli | /yniveɾsiteli/ (from spelling rules) |
| üniversite öğrencisi | /yniveɾsite øːɾend͡ʒisi/ (from spelling rules) |
A person enrolled at a school, university or other education institution is an öğrenci.
What does it mean word for word?
The word öğrenci is derived from the verb öğrenmek, which means 'to learn'.
Which one should you use?
Öğrenci is a general term for any student (from primary school to university), whereas üniversiteli specifically implies someone in higher education. While üniversite öğrencisi is the formal way to say 'university student', üniversiteli is a more colloquial way to refer to someone as a 'university student' compared to the more formal üniversite öğrencisi.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /øːɾænˈdʒi/. The sounds are similar to the following English sounds: the 'ɾ' in a[t]om, the 'æ' in c[a]t, the 'n' in [n]ot, the 'dʒ' in [j]ump and the 'i' in cr[ee]k.
Did you know?
- In traditional Turkish culture, the relationship between a student and a teacher is often described through usta and çırak, words used for apprenticeships that carry a deep emotional and spiritual bond.
- The word üniversite is a linguistic traveler that entered the Turkish language via French, rather than being a word of native Turkic origin.
- The suffix -ci in öğrenci is a productive tool in Turkish used to turn almost any noun or verb into a profession or a role, similar to how English uses 'worker' or 'specialist'.
Examples in context
- O iyi bir öğrenci.He is a good student.This sentence is useful for describing a student as being good.Tatoeba #1266753 by duran, translation #293224 by CK
- O zeki bir öğrenci.She's a bright student.This sentence is useful for describing a student as being bright.Tatoeba #3191180 by duran, translation #2156273 by Hybrid
- O kötü bir öğrenci.He's a poor student.This sentence is useful for describing a student as being poor.Tatoeba #4178314 by deyta, translation #2321255 by Hybrid
- Bu araştırmanın sonuçları, üniversitedeki öğrencilere yardımcı olabilir.The results of this research can help the students at the university (formal).
- 800 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Selin and Can are meeting for the first time at a cafe.
- SelinMerhaba, sen hâlâ bir öğrenci misin?Hello, are you still a student?
- CanEvet, tıp öğrencisiyim.Yes, I am a medical student.
- SelinÇok zor bir öğrenci hayatın olmalı.You must have a very difficult student life.
- CanHaklısın Selin, çok çalışıyorum.You are right Selin, I study a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “student” translations and entries öğrenci, üniversiteli, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries öğrenci, üniversite, üniversiteli, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
