Mongolian, the official language of Mongolia, is a unique Altaic language that provides insights into the rich nomadic and cultural heritage of the country. Learning Mongolian can significantly enhance your experience in Mongolia, allowing for deeper interactions with locals and a better understanding of Mongolian customs. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Mongolian, including transliterations for pronunciation help, to facilitate various social interactions.

Greetings

• Hello/Hi – “Сайн байна уу?” (Sain baina uu?)
• Good morning – “Өглөөний мэнд” (Öglöönii mend)
• Good afternoon – “Өдрийн мэнд” (Ödrīn mend)
• Good evening – “Оройн мэнд” (Orōin mend)
• Goodbye – “Баяртай” (Bayartai)

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “Миний нэр [name].” (Minii ner [name].)
• This is [name]. – “Энэ бол [name].” (Ene bol [name].)
• I am from [country]. – “Би [country]-аас ирсэн.” (Bi [country]-aas irsen.)
• I live in [city/place]. – “Би [city/place]-д амьдардаг.” (Bi [city/place]-d am’dardag.)

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “[Place] хаана байна?” ([Place] khaana baina?)
• How do I get to [place]? – “[Place] руу хэрхэн очих вэ?” ([Place] ruu kherkhen ochikh ve?)
• Is this the way to [place]? – “Энэ [place] руу явах зам уу?” (Ene [place] ruu yavakh zam uu?)
• Can you show me on the map? – “Та надад газрын зураг дээр үзүүлж болох уу?” (Ta nadad gazryn zurag deere uzüülj bolokh uu?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “Уучлаарай, би ойлгосонгүй.” (Uuchlaarai, bi oĭlgosonguĭ.)
• Can you please repeat that? – “Та дахин хэлж болох уу?” (Ta dakhin khelj bolokh uu?)
• I mean… – “Би гэсэн юм…” (Bi gesen yum…)
• What does [word] mean? – “[Word] гэж юу гэсэн үг вэ?” ([Word] gej yuu gesen üg ve?)

Farewell Expressions

• See you later – “Дараа уулзая” (Daraa uulzaya)
• Take care – “Анхаарал болгоорой” (Ankhaaral bolgooroi)
• Have a good day – “Сайхан өдөр өнгөрөөрэй” (Saikhan ödör öngöröörėi)

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “Би өрөө захиалахыг хүсч байна.” (Bi öröö zakhialakhĭg khüsch baina.)
• Can I see the menu, please? – “Та цэсийг надад үзүүлэх үү?” (Ta tsesiig nadad üzüülekh üü?)
• I am vegetarian. – “Би цэцэглэгчин.” (Bi tsetseglegchin.)
• The bill, please. – “Таапан бэлэн үү?” (Taapan belen üü?)

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “Энэ хэд вэ?” (Ene khed ve?)
• Do you have this in another size? – “Энэ нь өөр хэмжээтэй байдаг уу?” (Ene n’ öör khemjeetei baidag uu?)
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “Би зүгээр л харж байна, баярлалаа.” (Bi zügeer l kharj baina, bayarlalaa.)
• Can I pay by card? – “Би картаар төлөх боломжтой юу?” (Bi kartaar tölökh bolomjtoi yuu?)

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “Чи үзэсгэлэнтэй харагдаж байна.” (Chi üzesgelentei kharagdaj baina) / “Чи хүрэн муутай харагдаж байна.” (Chi khüren muutai kharagdaj baina)
• I miss you. – “Би чамайг санаж байна.” (Bi chamajg sanaj baina.)
• I love you. – “Би чамд хайртай.” (Bi chamd khairtai.)
• Would you like to go out with me? – “Чи миний хамт гадаа гарахыг хүсэх үү?” (Chi miniĭ khamt gadaa garakhĭg khüsekh üü?)

Emergencies

• Help! – “Туслаач!” (Tuslaach!)
• Call the police! – “Цагдааг дуудаач!” (Tsagdaag duudaach!)
• I need a doctor. – “Би эмчид хэрэгтэй.” (Bi emchid kheregtei.)
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “Хамгийн ойрхон эмнэлэг хаана байна?” (Khamgiin oirhon emnelėg khaana baina?)

These phrases offer a solid foundation for basic communication in Mongolian. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Mongolian media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of the Mongolian language.