Basic Words

1. Иә

   I-ä

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

2. Жоқ

   Zhoq

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Өтінемін

   O-ti-ne-min

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

4. Рахмет

   Rah-met

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

5. Кешіріңіз

   Ke-shi-ri-ñiz

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

   Grammar Note

   The "-ңыз / -ңіз" ending marks the polite second person; always use it with strangers.

6. Кешірім сұраймын

   Ke-shi-rim su-ray-myn

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

7. Бәрі жақсы

   Ba-ri zhaq-sy

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Түсінбеймін

   Tu-sin-bey-min

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

9. Түсіндім

   Tu-sin-dim

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Бітті

    Bit-ti

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

11. Күте тұрыңыз

    Ku-te tu-ry-ñyz

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

12. Бір минут

    Bir mi-nut

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. Бір ересек, өтінемін

    Bir e-re-sek, o-ti-ne-min

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

14. Бронім жоқ

    Bro-nim zhoq

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

15. Бронім бар

    Bro-nim bar

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Көмектесіңізші

    Ko-mek-te-si-ñiz-shi

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

17. Тағы бір рет айтыңызшы

    Ta-gy bir ret ay-ty-ñyz-shy

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Баяу сөйлеңізші

    Ba-yau soy-le-ñiz-shi

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Мен аздап сөйлеймін

    Men az-dap soy-ley-min

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

20. Сіз ағылшынша сөйлейсіз бе?

    Siz a-gyl-shyn-sha soy-ley-siz be?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

21. Бұл

    Būl

    This

    Usage

    Point at something within reach and show this

22. Ол

    Ol

    That

    Usage

    Also the pronoun he/she/it, so always combine it with a pointing finger

23. Анау

    A-nau

    That one over there

    Usage

    For objects further away; note that the shorter "ana" means "mother"

24. Мұнда

    Mūn-da

    Here

    Usage

    Show where you are — a drop-off point or a meeting spot

25. Онда

    On-da

    There

    Usage

    At the start of a sentence the same word means "in that case", so point while showing it

26. Анау жерде

    A-nau jer-de

    Over there

    Usage

    Literally "at that place"; for somewhere further off

27. Мен

    Men

    I / me

    Usage

    Point at yourself when sorting out whose is whose

28. Сіз

    Siz

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite form; "sen" is for friends and children

29. Бірге

    Bir-ge

    Together

    Usage

    Show that you are together — travelling, seated or paying as one

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