Basic Words

1. Ооба

   O-o-ba

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

2. Жок

   Jok

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Сураныч

   Su-ra-nych

   Please

   Usage

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

4. Рахмат

   Rah-mat

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

5. Кечиресиз

   Ke-chi-re-siz

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

   Grammar Note

   The "-сиз" ending of "Кечиресиз" marks the polite second person; use it with strangers.

6. Кечирим сурайм

   Ke-chi-rim su-raym

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

7. Баары жакшы

   Ba-a-ry jak-shy

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Түшүнбөй жатам

   Tü-shün-böy ja-tam

   I don't understand

   Usage

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

9. Түшүндүм

   Tü-shün-düm

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Бүттү

    Büt-tü

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

11. Күтө туруңуз

    Kü-tö tu-ru-nguz

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

12. Бир мүнөт

    Bir mü-nöt

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. Бир чоң киши, сураныч

    Bir chong ki-shi, su-ra-nych

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

14. Брондоом жок

    Bron-do-om jok

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

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

15. Брондоом бар

    Bron-do-om bar

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Жардам бериңизчи

    Jar-dam be-ri-ngiz-chi

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

17. Дагы бир жолу айтыңызчы

    Da-gy bir jo-lu ay-ty-ngyz-chy

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Жайыраак сүйлөңүзчү

    Ja-yy-ra-ak süy-lö-ngüz-chü

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Мен бир аз сүйлөйм

    Men bir az süy-löym

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

20. Сиз англисче сүйлөйсүзбү?

    Siz ang-lis-che süy-löy-süz-bü?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

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

21. Бул

    Bul

    This

    Usage

    For something within reach; point at the object as you show it

22. Ошол

    O-shol

    That

    Usage

    For something near the listener or already mentioned

23. Тигил

    Ti-gil

    That one over there

    Usage

    For something far from both of you; Kyrgyz splits distance three ways: бул / ошол / тигил

24. Бул жерде

    Bul jer-de

    Here

    Usage

    The spot you are standing on; also works for telling a driver where to stop

25. Ошол жерде

    O-shol jer-de

    There

    Usage

    A place near the listener or already mentioned

26. Тигил жерде

    Ti-gil jer-de

    Over there

    Usage

    A place away from both of you; combine it with pointing

27. Мен

    Men

    I / me

    Usage

    Refers to yourself; combine it with numbers or roles

28. Сиз

    Siz

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite pronoun for the other person; "сен" is the informal form for friends and children

29. Чогуу

    Cho-guu

    Together

    Usage

    To show that you are with someone, or want to sit or ride together

30. Дароо

    Da-roo

    Right away

    Usage

    Asking for something immediately; "азыр эле" can also mean "a moment ago", so this is safer

31. Бир киши

    Bir ki-shi

    One person

    Usage

    Stating headcount at a café, guesthouse, or shared taxi

32. Эки киши

    E-ki ki-shi

    Two people

    Usage

    Stating headcount

33. Үч киши

    Üch ki-shi

    Three people

    Usage

    Stating headcount

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