Addressing People in Turkish

Addressing people in Turkish - Hitaplar
Here you can learn how to call or address people in Turkish.
The most common forms of address are presented along with explanations and examples.

Form of address		Usage
Efendim		It is one of the most common forms of address. It can have the following meanings: 1. Sir! Madam! (calling someone in the street) 2. I beg your pardon! (For something we haven't understood in a conversation) 3. Hello! (Answering the phone) 4. As "my Master - my Lord". Examples: Efendim! Tabii efendim! Yüzüklerin efendisi (The Lord of the rings).
Beyefendi		It means "sir". It's used to call or address somebody when we don't know his name. Examples: Merhaba beyefendi. Beyefendi!
Hanımefendi		It means "Madam / Mrs". It's used to call or address a lady when we don't know her name. Examples: İyi akşamlar hanımefendi. Hanımefendi!
Bay		It means "Mister / Mr". It is used before the name. You can see it in documents. Examples: Bay Mehmet Öztürk.
Bayan		It means "Mrs / Ms". It is used before the name. You can see it in documents Examples: Bayan Ayşe Erdoğan.
Bey		It means "Mister". It is used after the name. You can see it in documents or hear it in the street. Examples: Ali bey. Orhan bey. Müdür bey (Director, Manager). Günaydın doktor bey.
Hanım		It means "Mrs / Ms". It is used after the name. You can see it in documents or hear it in the street. Examples: Ebru hanım. Merhaba doktor hanım.
Abi		It is an abbreviation of the word ağabey, which means "big brother". It is used in the family, between friends in the street, or from a shopkeeper who is calling a (possible) client. It shows the same respect as to the big brother of the family. Examples: Buyurun abi. Ne haber abi?
Abla		It means "big sister". It is used in the family and in the street. It shows the same respect as to the big sister of the family. Examples: Tamam abla, buyur abla.
Amca		It means "uncle - father's brother". It is used to address an older man. It shows respect. Examples: Bakar mısın amca? Günaydın amca.
Teyze		It means "aunt - mother's sister". It is used to address an older woman. It shows respect. Examples: Sağol teyze, tabii teyze.
Baba		It means "father", but it is also used to address an older wise person. Examples: Sağol baba, Noel Baba (Santa Claus)
Sayın		It means "dear / estimable". It is used to address an official guest, an officer, a priest, a hodja, an intellectual person etc. Examples: Sayın Başbakan (Prime Minister). Sayın Patrik (Patriarch).
Aşkım		It means "my love / my beloved one". Examples: Aşkım çay ister misin?
Canım		It means "dear / darling / my soul". Examples: Nasılsın canım? Seni çok özledim.
Dostum		It means "my friend". Examples: Ne haber dostum? Ne var ne yok dostum?
Hayatım		It means "my life". Examples: Hayatım seni çok seviyorum.
Sevgili/Sevgilim		They are used in letters and emails. The word sevgili means "dear". It is addressed to a friend. The word sevgilim means "my love". Examples: Sevgili müsteriler (Dear customers). Sevgilim beni affet (Forgive me my love).
Hocam		It means "my teacher". Examples: Tabii hocam.