Greetings

1. Сәлем

   Sä-lem

   Hello

   Usage

   Casual greeting for friends or peers

   Grammar Note

   Kazakh is a Turkic SOV language. "Salem" derives from Arabic "salam". For formal contexts use "Salemetsis be"

2. Сәлеметсіз бе?

   Sä-le-met-siz be?

   Hello / How are you? (formal)

   Usage

   Formal greeting for elders or first meetings

   Grammar Note

   "Siz" is the formal 2nd person pronoun. Turkic vowel harmony governs suffix forms. Question particle "be/ba/ma/me" changes by vowel harmony

3. Рақмет

   Raq-met

   Thank you

   Usage

   Everyday expression of gratitude

   Grammar Note

   From Arabic "rahmat" (mercy/grace). Emphatic: "Kop rakmet" (many thanks). "Rakmet sizge" = thank you (to you)

4. Кешіріңіз

   Ke-shi-rin-iz

   Sorry / Excuse me

   Usage

   Used for apologies or getting someone's attention

   Grammar Note

   Kazakh agglutination: root "Keshir" + formal imperative suffix "-ingiz". Casual: just "Keshir" (forgive me)

5. Иә

   I-ä

   Yes

   Usage

   Affirmative response

   Grammar Note

   "Iya" is standard "yes". Emphatic: "Durys" (correct) or "Solay" (that's so). In Turkic, existence verb "Bar" (there is) also confirms

6. Жоқ

   Joq

   No / There is none

   Usage

   Negative response or expressing absence

   Grammar Note

   "Joq" means both "no" and "there is none". Antonym: "Bar" (there is). Typical Turkic: existence words double as yes/no answers

7. Менің атым…

   Me-niñ a-tym…

   My name is…

   Usage

   Used when introducing yourself

   Grammar Note

   "At" (name) + "-ym" (1st person possessive suffix) = "my name". Kazakh possessives use suffixes following vowel harmony. SOV order

8. Қош келдіңіз

   Qosh kel-din-iz

   Welcome

   Usage

   Used to welcome guests or visitors

   Grammar Note

   Literally "you came well/gladly". Nomadic hospitality is central to Kazakh culture — this phrase carries warmth. Casual: "Qosh kel"

9. Сау болыңыз

   Saw bo-ly-nyz

   Goodbye (stay well)

   Usage

   Formal farewell, wishing the other person good health

   Grammar Note

   Literally "please be healthy". Casual: "Sau bol". Kazakh farewells often wish health — reflecting nomadic long-journey culture

10. Қайырлы таң

    Qa-yyr-ly tañ

    Good morning

    Usage

    Morning greeting

    Grammar Note

    "Qayrly" = good/blessed. Same pattern: "Qayrly kun" (good day), "Qayrly kesh" (good evening), "Qayrly tun" (good night)

11. Қазақша білесіз бе?

    Qa-zaq-sha bi-le-siz be?

    Do you speak Kazakh?

    Usage

    Checking whether someone speaks Kazakh

    Grammar Note

    Suffix "-sha/-she" = in [language]. "Oryssha" (Russian), "Agylshynsha" (English). Question particle "be/ba/ma/me" follows vowel harmony

12. Жақсы

    Jaq-sy

    Good / Fine / OK

    Usage

    Response to "how are you?" or as a general affirmation

    Grammar Note

    "Jaqsy" is one of the most common Kazakh adjectives. "Jaqsy adam" (good person), "Jaqsy!" (great!). Antonym: "Jaman" (bad)

13. Дәретхана қайда?

    Dä-ret-kha-na qay-da?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Basic phrase to ask for the toilet/bathroom location in public places

    Grammar Note

    Kazakh interrogative "қайда" (where) asks about location. "Дәретхана" comes from Arabic meaning "place of ablution/cleansing".

14. Мен қазақша білмеймін

    Men qa-zaq-sha bil-mey-min

    I can't speak Kazakh

    Usage

    Used to tell someone you don't speak Kazakh

    Grammar Note

    "Білмеймін" is the negation of "білу" (to know/to be able) with first-person suffix "-мін". A typical agglutinative Turkic structure.

15. Тағы келемін

    Ta-gy ke-le-min

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

16. Көңілді болды

    Kö-ñil-di bol-dy

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Used when saying goodbye

17. Рақмет, көріскенше!

    Raq-met, kö-ris-ken-she!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

18. Қайырлы түн

    Qa-yyr-ly tün

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to bed, e.g. at a guesthouse or homestay

19. Мен кеттім

    Men ket-tim

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Casual phrase said when leaving the house; literally "I went," used idiomatically for imminent departure

20. Үйге қайттым

    Üy-ge qayt-tym

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to the house/guesthouse

21. Кешіріңіз, маған кету керек

    Ke-shi-riñ-iz, ma-ğan ke-tu ke-rek

    Excuse me, I need to get going

    Usage

    Polite way to excuse yourself when leaving before others

22. Оқасы жоқ

    O-qa-sy joq

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Standard response to "Raqmet" (thank you); literally "no problem"

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