Turkish Connectors & Expressions (B2–C1)

Vocabulary flashcards covering 17 advanced Turkish connectors and expressions, with English meanings and usage nuances.

Sanki

Means “as if / like.” Used to describe an assumption, impression, or comparison that is not necessarily real; can sound ironic or exaggerated.

Example 1: Sanki her şeyi biliyormuş gibi konuşuyor. (He talks as if he knows everything.)
Example 2: Sanki daha önemli şeyleri yokmuş gibi davranıyor. (He acts as if he has no more important things.)

Artık

Means “anymore / now / from now on.” Signals a change, a new phase, or finality; tone can be positive or negative depending on context.

Example 1: Artık sigara içmiyorum. (I don't smoke anymore.)
Example 2: Artık daha dikkatli olmalısın. (You must be more careful from now on.)

Bile

Means “even.” Highlights the surprising, extreme, or unexpected nature of something.

Example 1: O, yorgun olmasına rağmen bile ders çalıştı. (Even though he was tired, he still studied.)
Example 2: Çocuklar bile bu soruyu çözebilir. (Even children can solve this problem.)

Oysaki / Hâlbuki

Mean “however / yet / whereas.” Introduce contrast or correction, showing that reality differs from what was expected.

Example 1: Ona güvendim, oysaki beni aldatmış. (I trusted him, yet he deceived me.)
Example 2: Hava güneşliydi, hâlbuki yağmur bekliyorduk. (The weather was sunny, whereas we were expecting rain.)

Ne var ki

Formal or literary “however / nonetheless.” Adds a reflective or dramatic contrast to a previous statement.

Example 1: Hava güzeldi, ne var ki kimse dışarı çıkmak istemedi. (The weather was nice, however, nobody wanted to go outside.)
Example 2: Çok çalıştı, ne var ki sınavı geçemedi. (He worked hard, nonetheless, he couldn't pass the exam.)

Ne yazık ki

Means “unfortunately.” Expresses regret, disappointment, or a negative outcome.

Example 1: Ne yazık ki trene geç kaldık. (Unfortunately, we were late for the train.)
Example 2: Ne yazık ki planlarımız iptal oldu. (Unfortunately, our plans were cancelled.)

Neyse ki

Means “fortunately / luckily.” Opposite of ‘ne yazık ki’; stresses a positive outcome despite difficulties.

Example 1: Neyse ki otobüsü kaçırmadık. (Luckily, we didn't miss the bus.)
Example 2: Neyse ki son anda yetişebildin. (Luckily, you arrived at the last moment.)

Mademki

Means “since / considering that.” Introduces a reason to justify the following action or conclusion.

Example 1: Mademki geldin, biraz oturalım. (Since you've come, let's sit for a while.)
Example 2: Mademki söz verdin, yapmalısın. (Since you promised, you should do it.)

Meğerse

Means “apparently (contrary to expectation).” Conveys surprise at discovering a previously unknown fact.

Example 1: Meğerse o hiç evli değilmiş. (Apparently, he was never married.)
Example 2: Meğerse her şeyi sen ayarlamışsın. (Apparently, you arranged everything.)

Nitekim

Means “indeed / as a matter of fact.” Confirms or backs up a prior statement; formal register.

Example 1: Sınav çok zordu. Nitekim çoğu öğrenci başarısız oldu. (The exam was very difficult. Indeed, most students failed.)
Example 2: Tahmin ettiğim gibiydi. Nitekim sonuçlar beklentilerimizi doğruladı. (It was as I predicted. Indeed, the results confirmed our expectations.)

Zaten

Means “already / anyway.” Implies that something is known, expected, or taken for granted.

Example 1: Zaten o kitabı okumuştum. (I had already read that book anyway.)
Example 2: Endişelenme, zaten hallettim. (Don't worry, I already took care of it.)

Hiç değilse / Hiç olmazsa

Mean “at least.” Suggest a minimum acceptable condition or offer consolation.

Example 1: Hiç değilse özür dileyebilirdi. (At least he could have apologized.)
Example 2: Çok zamanımız olmasa bile, hiç olmazsa bir fincan kahve içebiliriz. (Even if we don't have much time, at least we can have a cup of coffee.)

Ayrıca

Means “also / in addition.” Formal connector used to add information or list further points.

Example 1: Toplantı yarın başlayacak, ayrıca bazı belgeleri de incelemeliyiz. (The meeting will start tomorrow, in addition, we should review some documents.)
Example 2: Film harikaydı. Ayrıca oyuncuların performansları da çok iyiydi. (The movie was great. Also, the actors' performances were very good.)

Bununla birlikte / Bununla beraber

Mean “however / nevertheless” or “alongside this.” Link an opposing or parallel idea in formal contexts.

Example 1: Hava soğuktu, bununla birlikte kar yağmıyordu. (It was cold, however, it wasn't snowing.)
Example 2: Zor bir görevdi, bununla beraber başarılı olduk. (It was a difficult task, nevertheless, we succeeded.)

Üstelik

Means “moreover / what’s more.” Emphasizes an additional, often surprising or impressive point.

Example 1: Yemek lezzetliydi, üstelik çok da ucuzdu. (The food was delicious, moreover, it was very cheap.)
Example 2: Konuyu iyice anladı, üstelik detaylı bir sunum da yaptı. (He understood the topic well, what's more, he also made a detailed presentation.)

Hatta

Means “even / what’s more.” Reinforces or exaggerates the previous idea, often for emphasis.

Example 1: Çok yorgundum, hatta uyuyakaldım. (I was very tired, what's more, I even fell asleep.)
Example 2: Bütün şehri gezdi, hatta köydeki küçük müzeyi bile ziyaret etti. (He toured the whole city, he even visited the small museum in the village.)

Bununla yanısıra / -(n)In yanı sıra

Mean “in addition to this / along with.” High-register phrase adding another component or dimension to a statement.

Example 1: Bu rapor, ana bulgulara ek olarak, bununla yanısıra gelecekteki araştırma önerilerini de içeriyor. (In addition to the main findings, this report also includes future research recommendations.)
Example 2: Bilgisayarın yanı sıra, bir yazıcıya da ihtiyacım var. (Along with the computer, I also need a printer.)