What is a common mistake with “Günaydın”?

✗ Gün aydın → ✓ Günaydın: It is written as one word.

Phrase 2 of 500

How to say “Good morning” in Turkish

Q: How is “Günaydın” used in a conversation?

Selin: Günaydın anne! (Good morning, mom!) Anne: Günaydın kızım, kahvaltı hazır. (Good morning, sweetie, breakfast is ready.)

Günaydın means "good morning" and is used until about 11:00 or noon. It is one word: gün (day) + aydın (bright).

Written by Fatih, Turkish language and literature graduate & linguist

Günaydın!

gew·nai·duhn

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Meaning: Good morning!
Pronunciation: gew·nai·duhn

What “Günaydın” really means

Günaydın means "good morning" and is used until about 11:00 or noon. It is one word: gün (day) + aydın (bright). You say it to family at breakfast, to colleagues when you arrive and to the baker when you buy your simit.

💬 Example dialogues

SelinGünaydın anne!Good morning, mom!

AnneGünaydın kızım, kahvaltı hazır.Good morning, sweetie, breakfast is ready.

MuratGünaydın, kolay gelsin.Good morning, may your work be easy.

FırıncıGünaydın, buyurun!Good morning, what can I get you?

🚫 When NOT to use it

Do not say Günaydın in the afternoon or evening. After noon switch to "İyi günler" or "Merhaba", in the evening to "İyi akşamlar".

🇹🇷 Culture note

Among friends you will hear the joking reply "Günaydın, uyuyan güzel!" (Good morning, sleeping beauty) when someone wakes up late.

⚠️ Common mistakes

✗ Gün aydın → ✓ GünaydınIt is written as one word.

Letters to watch in this sentence

I ı no dot: a relaxed “uh”, like the e in “open”
Ü ü say “ee” with rounded lips (French u)