Greetings

1. Саламатсызбы

   Sa-la-mat-syz-by

   Hello (formal greeting)

   Usage

   Formal greeting for elders or strangers

   Grammar Note

   "Salamatsyzby" literally means "Are you well?" Kyrgyz is Turkic, using polite "siz." Derived from Arabic "salam" (peace).

2. Салам

   Sa-lam

   Hi / Hello (informal)

   Usage

   Casual greeting for friends or peers

   Grammar Note

   Most colloquial greeting, an Arabic loanword. Use "Assalamu aleykum" in formal settings.

3. Кандайсыз?

   Kan-day-syz?

   How are you? (formal)

   Usage

   Formal "how are you." Reply: "Jakshymyn" (I'm fine)

   Grammar Note

   "-сыз" is the polite 2nd person ending (the pronoun is "сиз"). For close friends: "Кандайсың?" with the informal ending "-сың".

4. Жакшымын

   Jak-shy-myn

   I'm fine / I'm well

   Usage

   Standard reply to "how are you"

   Grammar Note

   "Жакшы" (good) + "мын" (I am). A characteristic Turkic personal suffix system.

5. Кош болуңуз

   Kosh bo-lu-nuz

   Goodbye (formal)

   Usage

   Formal farewell. In casual settings, just "Кош" is understood

   Grammar Note

   The "-ңуз" suffix marks polite register. Literally "farewell, please be (well)."

6. Кайырлуу таң

   Kay-yr-luu tang

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting

7. Кайырлуу кеч

   Kay-yr-luu kech

   Good evening

   Usage

   Evening greeting

8. Менин атым...

   Me-nin a-tym...

   My name is...

   Usage

   Self-introduction. Replace "..." with your name

   Grammar Note

   "Менин" is the genitive of "мен" (I). "Ат" (name) + possessive suffix "-ым" = "атым" (my name).

9. Таанышканыма кубанычтамын

   Taa-nysh-ka-ny-ma ku-ba-nych-ta-myn

   Nice to meet you

   Usage

   Polite phrase for first meetings

   Grammar Note

   Kyrgyz has well-developed verbal nouns that take case suffixes to form complex nominal structures.

10. Рахмат

    Rah-mat

    Thank you

    Usage

    Everyday thanks. For more emphasis: "Chong rahmat" (many thanks)

11. Сураныч

    Su-ra-nych

    Please

    Usage

    Polite expression used when making a request

12. Кечиресиз

    Ke-chi-re-siz

    Excuse me / Sorry

    Usage

    Used both to apologize and to politely get someone's attention

    Grammar Note

    Structure: "Кечире" (forgive) + "сиз" (you, polite). A contracted polite imperative form.

13. Даараткана кайда?

    Daa-rat-ka-na kay-da?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

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

    Grammar Note

    "Кайда" (where) is the Kyrgyz locative question word. "Даараткана" is from Arabic meaning "place of cleansing".

14. Мен кыргызча сүйлөй албайм

    Men kyr-gyz-cha süy-löy al-baym

    I can't speak Kyrgyz

    Usage

    Used to tell someone you don't speak Kyrgyz

    Grammar Note

    "Сүйлөй алуу" means "to be able to speak". "Ал-" is an auxiliary for ability; "алба-" is its negation, with "-йм" for first person.

15. Дагы келем

    Da-gy ke-lem

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

16. Көңүлдүү болдум

    Kö-ngül-düü bol-dum

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Used when saying goodbye

17. Рахмат, көрүшкөнчө!

    Rah-mat, kö-rüsh-kön-chö!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual way to say goodbye

18. Кайырлуу түн

    Ka-yyr-luu tün

    Good night

    Usage

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

19. Мен кеттим

    Men ket-tim

    I'm heading out

    Usage

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

20. Үйгө кайттым

    Üy-gö kayt-tym

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to the house/guesthouse

21. Кечиресиз, мага кетишим керек

    Ke-chi-re-siz, ma-ga ke-ti-shim ke-rek

    Excuse me, I need to get going

    Usage

    Polite way to excuse yourself when leaving before others

22. Эч нерсе эмес

    Ech ner-se e-mes

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Standard response to "Rahmat" (thank you); literally "it's nothing"

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