Eline sağlık
/eline saːlɯk/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'thank you for the food' is translated into Turkish as Eline sağlık.
Eline sağlık is used specifically to acknowledge the person who prepared or cooked the food, rather than just the person who provided it. It is a way of thanking them for the effort they put into the meal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Eline sağlık literally translates to 'Health to your hand'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /eline saːlɯk/. Use the following sounds as a guide: the /i/ is like the sound in cr[ee]k, the /n/ is like the [n] in [n]ot, the /s/ is like the [s] in [s]end, the /ɯ/ is somewhat like the sound in ribb[o]n and the /k/ is like the [c] in [c]ore.
When do people say it?
In a Turkish household, it is considered polite and culturally expected to say Eline sağlık to the cook after finishing a meal. When someone says Eline sağlık after a meal, the host or cook typically responds with Afiyet olsun, which means 'Bon appetit / May it be good for you'.
Did you know?
- Turkish has a separate phrase for thanking the person who paid for the meal, Kesenize bereket, which wishes 'abundance to your purse'.
- When someone says Eline sağlık, the cook might respond with Şifa olsun, which translates to 'May it be a healing cure'.
- If you are thanking a superior or an elder, you must use the plural Ellerinize sağlık even if they cooked alone to show respect.
Examples in context
- Etli pilavınız nefisti, teşekkürler!The meat pilaf was amazing, thank you!
- Yemeğiniz harikaydı, teşekkür ederim. Aynı zamanda davetiniz için de teşekkürler!The food was wonderful, thank you. Also, thank you for the invitation!
- Gerçekten muhteşem bir yemekti, teşekkürler!It was truly an amazing meal, thank you!
- Eline sağlık, çok lezzetli olmuş.Health to your hands, it was very delicious.
Example conversation
Zeynep is eating a meal prepared by Mehmet at home.
- ZeynepMehmet, eline sağlık, yemek harika.Mehmet, health to your hands, the food is wonderful.
- MehmetAfiyet olsun Zeynep.Enjoy your meal, Zeynep.
- ZeynepGerçekten çok beğendim.I really liked it.
- MehmetBeğenmene çok sevindim.I am very glad you liked it.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
