evet lütfen
/evet lytfen/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'yes please' is translated into Turkish as evet lütfen.
evet lütfen is used as a polite way to accept an offer or agree to a suggestion. For example, a person might use it in response to a waiter asking if they would like more tea.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of evet (yes) and lütfen (please).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Evet lütfen is a formal expression. In casual, colloquial conversation, speakers often use evet, olur (meaning 'yes, that would be fine') or Tamam, olur to accept a suggestion, such as when a friend offers a slice of cake.
How do you pronounce it?
The /v/ sound is like the [v] in [v]ase, the /f/ sound is like the [f] in [f]ood and the /n/ sound is like the [n] in [n]ot.
Did you know?
- The word evet shares a potential historical connection to the concept of speed, possibly originating from a root meaning 'to be quick'.
- In Turkish culture, accepting an offer with just evet can come across as blunt or curt to a host, even if the speaker intends to be direct.
- While evet lütfen is the textbook way to say 'yes please', it can actually sound a bit stiff or robotic in casual, everyday Turkish conversations.
Examples in context
- "Pencereyi kapatayım mı?" "Evet lütfen.""Shall I close the window?" "Yes, please."This example shows how to use evet lütfen to accept an offer to close a window.Tatoeba #5433966 by duran, translation #73616 by CK
- Biraz daha çay ister misiniz? Evet lütfen.Would you like some more tea? Yes please.
- Sana yardım edeyim mi? Evet lütfen, çok naziksin.Shall I help you? Yes please, you are very kind.
Example conversation
Elif offers Emre some coffee in the kitchen.
- ElifKahve ister misin, Emre?Do you want some coffee, Emre?
- EmreEvet lütfen, çok iyi olur.Yes please, that would be great.
- ElifSütlü mü istersin?Would you like it with milk?
- EmreHayır, sade olsun lütfen.No, plain please.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Turkish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries evet, lütfen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
