Signification
Giving directions to turn right.
Contexte culturel
Turkish people often give directions using landmarks rather than street names. You might hear 'Sağa dön' after a specific mosque, grocery store (bakkal), or even a distinctive tree. In the chaotic traffic of Istanbul, 'Sağa dön' is often replaced by 'Sağ yap' or 'Sağa kır' by taxi drivers looking for shortcuts. If you ask for directions, a local might not just say 'Sağa dön', they might walk with you for a block to make sure you don't miss the turn. The right side is traditionally considered 'lucky' or 'blessed' (mübarek). Entering a house with the right foot or starting a task with the right hand is common.
The 'Ğ' Rule
Remember that 'sağ' has a soft 'g'. Don't pronounce it like a hard 'g'. It just makes the 'a' longer.
Politeness Matters
Always use 'dönün' with people you don't know. 'Dön' can sound like a military command.
Signification
Giving directions to turn right.
The 'Ğ' Rule
Remember that 'sağ' has a soft 'g'. Don't pronounce it like a hard 'g'. It just makes the 'a' longer.
Politeness Matters
Always use 'dönün' with people you don't know. 'Dön' can sound like a military command.
Use Landmarks
When giving directions, always pair 'Sağa dön' with a landmark like 'camiden' or 'marketten'.
Body Language
Turkish people use their whole arm to point when saying 'Sağa dön'. Don't be afraid to be expressive!
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing suffix for the direction 'right'.
Lütfen sağ_ dön.
The dative case suffix '-a' is needed to show movement toward the right.
Which of these is the polite way to tell a stranger to turn right?
Afedersiniz, buradan...
'Sağa dönün' is the formal/plural imperative, appropriate for strangers.
Complete the dialogue between a taxi driver and a passenger.
Yolcu: Köşedeki marketi geçince ____ dönün. Şoför: Tamam, sağa dönüyorum.
The driver's response confirms the direction was 'sağa'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are following a GPS and it tells you to turn right.
GPS devices use the formal 'Sağa dönün' for instructions.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesLütfen sağ_ dön.
The dative case suffix '-a' is needed to show movement toward the right.
Afedersiniz, buradan...
'Sağa dönün' is the formal/plural imperative, appropriate for strangers.
Yolcu: Köşedeki marketi geçince ____ dönün. Şoför: Tamam, sağa dönüyorum.
The driver's response confirms the direction was 'sağa'.
Situation: You are following a GPS and it tells you to turn right.
GPS devices use the formal 'Sağa dönün' for instructions.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is informal (singular). Use 'Sağa dönün' for formal or plural situations.
No, for a U-turn you should say 'U dönüşü yap' or 'Geri dön'.
'Sağa' means 'to the right' (movement). 'Sağda' means 'on the right' (location).
You say 'Işıklardan sağa dön'.
Yes, it's very common slang among drivers, meaning 'Make a right'.
Yes, it also means 'alive' and 'healthy'.
You say 'Hemen sağa dön'.
Yes, it means 'Turn to the right side' and is slightly more descriptive.
You can say 'İlk sağdan değil, ikinci sağdan dön' (Not the first, turn from the second right).
Only if giving physical directions. Metaphorically, you'd use more formal language.
Expressions liées
Sola dön
contrastTurn left
Düz git
similarGo straight
Geri dön
similarTurn back / U-turn
Sağda
specialized formOn the right
Sağdan
specialized formFrom the right
