Slang

1. Керемет!

   Keremet!

   Amazing!

   Usage

   The most common word of praise in Kazakh — food, views, music. Not rude towards elders

2. Күшті!

   Küshti!

   Cool!

   Usage

   Literally "strong" — casual praise between peers. With an elder, Керемет is safer

3. Бәрекелді!

   Bärekeldi!

   Well done!

   Usage

   An exclamation praising skill or achievement; normally to peers or younger people, sparingly to elders

4. Ойбай!

   Oybay!

   Oh my!

   Usage

   An interjection of surprise or dismay, good or bad. Fine in front of anyone

5. Қалайсың?

   Qalaysyñ?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Casual, for friends your own age. With elders or strangers use the polite Қалайсыз?

6. Не жаңалық?

   Ne jañalyq?

   What's new?

   Usage

   An opener between friends, literally "what is new?". Not for shop staff or elders

7. Жарайды

   Jaraydy

   All right

   Usage

   A light "OK", usable with anyone, though Мақұл sounds more respectful to an elder

8. Мақұл

   Maqūl

   Agreed

   Usage

   A polite acknowledgement, safe with elders, shop staff, drivers — anyone

9. Болды

   Boldy

   That's enough

   Usage

   To decline more food or stop a refill. Show it with a smile so it does not sound curt

10. Кеттік!

    Kettik!

    Let's go!

    Usage

    The signal to set off, used between friends. To a driver it can sound like rushing them

11. Қане

    Qane

    Come on

    Usage

    A light nudge to get going, for peers or younger people. Do not use it to hurry an elder

12. Сау бол!

    Sau bol!

    Bye

    Usage

    Literally "be healthy" — a casual goodbye. To an elder use the polite Сау болыңыз

13. Ештеңе етпейді

    Eshteñe etpeydi

    Never mind

    Usage

    The reply when someone apologises; usable with anyone and it eases the moment

14. Достым

    Dostym

    My friend

    Usage

    A friendly form of address for peers; not used towards elders

15. Аға

    Ağa

    Brother (to an older man)

    Usage

    The respectful way to address an older man — staff, drivers. Name + аға (Asqar aga) is normal; for a woman use Апай

16. Апай

    Apay

    Ma'am (to an older woman)

    Usage

    The respectful way to address an older woman, used at markets and eateries

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