The Languages

Kyrgyz Phrases and Questions

Kyrgyz, a Turkic language, is the official language of Kyrgyzstan. It’s known for its rich oral literature and historical significance in Central Asia. Learning Kyrgyz can offer insights into the nomadic culture and traditions of the Kyrgyz people. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Kyrgyz, including transliterations for pronunciation help, to navigate various social interactions.

Greetings

  • Hello/Hi – “Салам” (Salam)
  • Good morning – “Кутман таң” (Kutman tañ)
  • Good afternoon – “Кутман күн” (Kutman kün)
  • Good evening – “Кутман кеч” (Kutman kech)
  • Goodbye – “Кош болуңуз” (Kosh boluñuz) [Formal]; “Кош” (Kosh) [Informal]

Introducing Yourself or Others

  • My name is [name]. – “Менин атым [name].” (Menin atym [name].)
  • This is [name]. – “Бул [name].” (Bul [name].)
  • I am from [country]. – “Мен [country]данмын.” (Men [country]danmın.)
  • I live in [city/place]. – “Мен [city/place]де жашайм.” (Men [city/place]de jashaym.)

Asking for Directions or People

  • Where is the [place]? – “[Place] кайда?” ([Place] kayda?)
  • How do I get to [place]? – “[Place]га кантип барам?” ([Place]ga kantip baram?)
  • Is this the way to [place]? – “Бул [place]га барчу жолбу?” (Bul [place]ga barchu jolbu?)
  • Can you show me on the map? – “Карта менен көрсөтө аласызбы?” (Karta menen körsetö alasizby?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

  • Sorry, I don’t understand. – “Кечиресиз, мен түшүнбөй турам.” (Kechiresiz, men tüshünböy turam.)
  • Can you please repeat that? – “Кайра айта аласызбы?” (Kayra ayta alasizby?)
  • I mean… – “Мен муну айткым келет…” (Men munu aytqym kelet…)
  • What does [word] mean? – “[Word] эмне дегенди билдирет?” ([Word] emne degendi bildiret?)

Farewell Expressions

  • See you later – “Кийинчерээк көрүшкөнчө” (Kiyincheréek körüshkönchö)
  • Take care – “Аман болуңуз” (Aman boluñuz)
  • Have a good day – “Жакшы күн өткөрүңүз” (Jaqshy kün ötkörüñüz)

Travel and Dining

  • I would like to book a room. – “Мен бөлмөнү брондоого кызыкдармын.” (Men bölmönü brondogo qyzqdarmin.)
  • Can I see the menu, please? – “Менюну көрсөтө аласызбы?” (Menyunu körsetö alasizby?)
  • I am vegetarian. – “Мен өсүмдүктөр менен гана тамактанам.” (Men ösümdüktör menen gana tamaktanam.)
  • The bill, please. – “Эсепти бере аласызбы?” (Esepti bere alasizby?)

Shopping

  • How much does this cost? – “Бул канча турат?” (Bul qancha turat?)
  • Do you have this in another size? – “Бул башка өлчөмдө барбы?” (Bul bashka ölchömdö barby?)
  • I’m just looking, thanks. – “Мен жөн эле карап жатам, рахмат.” (Men jön ele karap jatam, rahmat.)
  • Can I pay by card? – “Карт менен төлөй аламбы?” (Kart menen töley alamby?)

Dating and Love

  • You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “Сиз сулуусуз.” (Siz suluusuz) / “Сиз келбеттүүсүз.” (Siz kelbettüüsüz)
  • I miss you. – “Сагындым сени.” (Sagındım seni.)
  • I love you. – “Сени сүйөм.” (Seni süyöm.)
  • Would you like to go out with me? – “Мени менен чыга келесиңби?” (Meni menen çıga kelesiñbi?)

Emergencies

  • Help! – “Жардам!” (Jardam!)
  • Call the police! – “Милицияны чакырыңыз!” (Militsiyanı çakırıñız!)
  • I need a doctor. – “Мага доктур керек.” (Mağa doktur kerek.)
  • Where is the nearest hospital? – “Эң жакын оорукана кайда?” (Eñ jaqın oorukana kayda?)

These phrases provide a foundation for basic communication in Kyrgyz. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Kyrgyz 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 Kyrgyz.