Turkish Language - All about - buyurun - "Please be so kind..."

buyurun - or the more formal - buyurunuz - is a widely used word in Turkish. There are many translations in English according to context. It is the second person Singular or Plural of the Simple Present tense of the verb - buyurmak - which basically means: Would you be so kind as to... - [Literally: Would you deign to.. to command.. to decree.. to make an order..]

All or any of these meanings can be applied according to context - and in fact this word has become a sort of universal polite request, pleasant command, and is in constant daily use in all areas of Turkish life. A sort of catch-all word for most situations. - It is a very important word to learn.

Let us consider how it is used:

• When calling on someone's house and they say - buyurun it means - Please come in...
• When they point to a chair - buyurun - Please sit down...
• When they serve tea - buyurun - Please drink and enjoy...
• On entering a shop the shopkeeper may say - buyurun efendim - meaning - Can I help you, sir?..
• In a restaurant or cafe when the waiter or bar man says - buyurun -it means - What would you like?..
• In many busy places markets, souvenir shops, cafes etc. there is often a professional "barker" who will be saying to all passers by - buyurun - Come and buy...
• If in a cafe you ask to see what food is being prepared in the kitchen (normal in Turkey) then the answer would be - buyurun - meaning in this case - Of course you may...!
• When answering the telephone you say - buyurun meaning - I'm listening to your call... - Turkish speakers also say - efendim - on answering telephone phone to say - Hello..- in a polite manner.
• When passing people in narrow places or entering lifts etc. - buyurun - means - After you..!

You can see there are many cases where - buyurun - is used and there are probably many more, you will hear it all the time when in Turkey.