🇹🇷 Turkish phrases

How to Say "Friend" in Turkish

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
arkadaş
"Friend" in Turkish · say it like ahr-kah-dahsh

The most natural way to say "Friend" in Turkish is arkadaş. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

dost
more formal or deeper friendship
kanka
informal, often used among close friends

When to use it

You can use 'arkadaş' in both formal and informal settings. It is suitable for referring to friends in general. Use 'dost' for closer, more intimate friendships.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Friend" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Turkish

TurkishEnglish
Benim en iyi arkadaşım Ahmet.My best friend is Ahmet.
Arkadaşlarla sinemaya gideceğim.I will go to the cinema with friends.
Common mistake
Some learners confuse 'arkadaş' with 'dost', but 'dost' implies a closer relationship.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear arkadaş, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Turkish with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between 'arkadaş' and 'dost'?

'Arkadaş' is a general term for friend, while 'dost' refers to a closer friend.

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