How Do Turks Spell Turkey? Understanding Türkiye and Its Meaning

Have you ever wondered how the country “Turkey” is spelled in Turkish? You might have noticed that, in recent years, the spelling “Türkiye” has become more common in international news and official documents. Let’s explore why this change happened, what “Türkiye” means, and why it matters both to Turks and to the rest of the world.

How Do Turks Spell Turkey?

In Turkish, the country we know as “Turkey” is spelled “Türkiye.” Pronounced as tur-kee-yeh, it’s the official name used by the Turkish people themselves. The word “Türkiye” has been in use for centuries within the country, but outside of Turkey, the English version “Turkey” was more common—until recently.

Why Did Turkey Change Its International Name to Türkiye?

In December 2021, Turkey’s government announced that it would begin using “Türkiye” as its official name in all international settings. This wasn’t a sudden decision. The move was part of a broader effort to strengthen national identity and ensure that the country is recognized by its authentic name worldwide.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a statement explaining that “Türkiye” best represents and expresses the culture, civilization, and values of the Turkish nation. The government felt that using “Türkiye” would help distinguish the country from other meanings of the word “turkey” in English—like the bird or even the slang term for a failure.

What Does “Türkiye” Mean?

The word “Türkiye” comes from two parts: “Türk,” which means “Turk” (referring to the people), and the suffix “-iye,” which is similar to saying “land of” in English. So, “Türkiye” literally translates to “Land of the Turks.”

How Is Türkiye Pronounced?

“Türkiye” is pronounced as tur-kee-yeh. There are three syllables: TUR (like the beginning of “turkey”), KEE, and YEH. The stress is usually on the first syllable.

How Is Türkiye Written in Turkish?

When writing in Turkish, you’ll see it spelled with special characters: Türkiye. Notice the two dots over the letter “u”—this is called an umlaut and gives it a unique sound that’s not found in English.

• T: Like the English “T”
• ü: Pronounced like the French “u” or German “ü”—a sound between “ee” and “oo”
• rkiye: Pronounced as written, with a rolled “r” and a soft ending

Why Did Turkey Want to Change Its Name Internationally?

The main reason was to avoid confusion with other meanings of “turkey.” In English, “turkey” can refer to a large bird native to North America or can be used as slang for something that fails. For many Turks, it felt odd that their country’s name was associated with these unrelated meanings.

The government also wanted to reinforce a sense of pride and identity by having the world use the name that Turks use themselves. It’s similar to how other countries prefer their local names in international contexts—like Côte d’Ivoire instead of Ivory Coast or Myanmar instead of Burma.

When Did This Change Happen?

The campaign officially began in late 2021. In June 2022, the United Nations agreed to recognize “Türkiye” as the country’s official name in all UN documents. Other international organizations and many news outlets have since adopted this spelling as well.

How Has the World Responded?

The international response has been mixed but generally positive. Some people still use “Turkey” out of habit, especially in casual conversation or older publications. However, more and more governments, businesses, and media outlets are switching to “Türkiye” out of respect for the country’s wishes.

This shift is part of a larger trend where countries ask for their own names to be used internationally—like Thailand (formerly Siam) or Eswatini (formerly Swaziland).

Is It Wrong to Say Turkey?

No, it’s not wrong—especially when speaking English. But if you want to show respect for how Turks refer to their country, using “Türkiye” is a great way to do so. Over time, you’ll likely see more official documents and maps using “Türkiye.”

How Can You Type Türkiye on Your Keyboard?

If you want to type “Türkiye” correctly, you’ll need to use the special character “ü.” Here’s how you can do it:

• On Windows: Hold down Alt and type 0252 on the numeric keypad.
• On Mac: Hold down Option + u, then type u.
• On smartphones: Hold your finger on the letter “u,” then slide to select “ü.”

Fun Facts About Türkiye

• The word “turkey” for the bird actually comes from a historical mix-up! European traders thought the North American bird came from Turkey, so they named it after the country.
• Many other countries have unique names for themselves too. For example, Germany calls itself “Deutschland,” and Japan is known as “Nihon.”
• The city of Istanbul was once called Byzantium and later Constantinople before getting its current name.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: What do Turks call their country?
  A: Turks call their country “Türkiye.”
• Q: Why did Turkey change its international name?
  A: To better reflect its national identity and avoid confusion with other meanings of “turkey” in English.
• Q: Is it correct to still say Turkey in English?
  A: Yes, but using “Türkiye” is more respectful and accurate.
• Q: How do you pronounce Türkiye?
  A: It’s pronounced tur-kee-yeh, with three syllables.
• Q: When did this change officially happen?
  A: The United Nations recognized the change in June 2022.
• Q: How do you write Türkiye on a keyboard?
  A: Use special character codes or hold down keys for accented letters depending on your device.

Conclusion

The shift from “Turkey” to “Türkiye” is about more than just spelling—it’s about national pride, identity, and being understood on one’s own terms. As global awareness grows, using “Türkiye” helps show respect for how Turks see themselves and their country. So next time you refer to this beautiful nation bridging Europe and Asia, try using its real name: Türkiye!