Which one should you use?
While aferin is used for praising a specific performance or behavior, tebrikler is used for broader congratulations on an achievement or milestone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
aferin is typically used by superiors to subordinates, such as a teacher to a student or a parent to a child. In contrast, Tebrikler is a formal way to say well done in Turkish. For a more casual, enthusiastic reaction, you can use the informal Bravo or Süper, which conveys 'Great job!' or 'Fantastic work!'
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of aferin is /afeɾin/. The /f/ sound is like the [f] in food, the /ɾ/ sound is like the [t] in American English atom, the /i/ sound is like the [ee] in creek and the /n/ sound is like the [n] in not.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using aferin toward a social equal or a superior can be perceived as condescending or rude due to its patronizing tone.
When do people say it?
Turkish speakers have specific phrases to appreciate different types of effort. To appreciate someone's hard work or the result of their efforts, you can say Eline sağlık (health to your hand). To compliment someone on their physical efforts, you can use Ayaklarına sağlık (health to your feet).
Did you know?
- Unlike the English 'well done', which can be used for a steak, aferin is exclusively an exclamation of praise and cannot be used to describe food.
- The word aferin is a linguistic traveler that arrived in Turkish from Persian, where it originally meant 'praise' or 'blessing'.
- In Turkish culture, praising a child with aferin is common, but doing so to a peer is often interpreted as a sarcastic way to mock their effort.
Examples in context
- Aferin!Well done!This example shows the use of aferin as a standalone exclamation.Tatoeba #1108987 by duran, translation #464478 by lukaszpp
- Aferin.Well done.This example shows the use of aferin as a statement.Tatoeba #3649237 by vvv123, translation #3825121 by CK
- Aferin, Tom.Well done, Tom.This example shows how to use aferin when addressing someone by name.Tatoeba #4166002 by deyta, translation #2745382 by Hybrid
- Tebrikler, harika bir iş çıkardın!Well done, you did an amazing job!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emre is praising Zeynep for her successful presentation at work.
- EmreAferin Zeynep, çok başarılıydın.Well done Zeynep, you were very successful.
- ZeynepTeşekkür ederim Emre.Thank you, Emre.
- EmreSunumun gerçekten harikaydı.Your presentation was truly wonderful.
- ZeynepNazik sözlerin için sağ ol.Thanks for your kind words.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “well done” translations and entries aferin, 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 aferin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
