Uyghur phrasebook

Uyghur (ئۇيغۇرچە/Uyƣurqə/Уйғурчә/Uyghurche), a member of the Turkic language family, is mostly spoken in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of northwestern China, where it is an official language.

Spread of the Uyghur language in China

Most Uyghurs in China are also able to speak Mandarin, so it's not really necessary to communicate in Uyghur. That said, attempting to communicate in the language will surely impress the locals.

Pronunciation guide

Uyghur pronunciation is fairly straightforward except for the sounds "gh" and "x" which might need some practice. It is generally written in the Arabic script.

Vowels

A, a - as in "palm"

E, e - as "a" in "cat"

Ë, ë - as in "pen" (also spelt as É é)

I, i - as "ee" in "see"

O, o - as in "not"

Ö, ö - same as in German

U, u - as in "groove"

Ü, ü - same as in German

Consonants

B, b - as in "bunk"

D, d - as in "door"

F, f - as in "fold"

G, g - as in "go" (This is always pronounced hard in Uighur.)

H, h - as in "heart"

J, j - as in "jam"

K, k - as in "kite"

L, l - as in "lemon"

M, m - as in "matter"

N, n - as in "nose" (Never the "ng" sound of "pink"! Uyghur has another letter that is the "ng" sound of "pink".)

P, p - as in "peach"

Q, q - like k but further back in the throat (IPA: /q/)

R, r - a rolling "r" sound, as in Spanish "burrito" in most dialects, but similar to "r" in American or Irish English in Khotan

S, s - as in "salad"

T, t - as in "taco"

W, w - as in "weather"

X, x - as "ch" in Scots "loch" or German "Bach"

Y, y - as in "yoghurt"

Z, z - as in "zoo"

CH, ch - as in "chair"

GH, gh - like French "r" (IPA: /ʁ/)

NG, ng - like "ng" in "singing", not like "ng" in "finger" (That is the NGG, ngg, which is pronounced like 'ng' in 'finger'.)

SH, sh - as in "shore"

ZH, zh - as "s" in "pleasure"

' - glottal stop. as "h" in "uh-oh" (IPA: /ʔ/)

Phrase list

Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.

Basics

Common signs

ئوچۇق (OCHUQ): open
تاقاق (TAQAQ): closed
ENTRANCE: entrance
EXIT: exit
ئىتتەرمەك (ITTERMEK): push
تارتماق (TARTMAQ): pull
ھاجەتخانا (HAJETXANA): toilet
ئەر (ER): man
ئايال (AYAL): woman
مەنئى قىلىنغان (MEN'I QILIN-GHAN): forbidden

Hello. (Greeting): .ئەسسالامۇ ئەلەيكۇم (Assalamu-Alaikum) (formal)
Hello. (Reply): .ۋەئەلەيكۇم ئەسسالام (Wa-Alaikum-Assalam) (formal)
Hello.: .ياخشىمۇسىز (Yaxshimusiz) (informal)
How are you?: ياخشىمۇسىز؟ (Yaxshimusiz)
How are you?: قانداق ئەھۋالىڭىز؟ (Qandaq ehwalingiz)
Fine.: .ياخشى (Yah-shih)
So-So.: Belen.
I'm fine, thanks!: Yaxshi, rehmet!
Thank you (very much)!: (Köp) rehmet!
You're welcome! (for "thank you"): Tüzütt qilmang!
Good morning!: Xeyirlik etigen!
Good evening!: Xeyirlik kech!
Welcome! (to greet someone): Qarshi alimiz!
Hey! Friend!: Hey! Adash / aghine!
I missed you so much!: Sizni bek sëghinip kettim!
What's new?: Nime boldi?
Nothing much!: Hëch ish!
Excuse me ...!: Kachurung ...!
Good night!: Xeyirlik kech!
See you later!: Kiyin körüsheyli!
Good bye!: Xeyr xosh!

Asking for Help and Directions

Can you help me?: Manga yardem Qilarsizmu?
Can I help you?: Sizge yardem kërekmu?
Where is the bathroom / pharmacy?: Hajetxana / dorixana qayerde?
Go straight! then turn left / right!: Udul mënging! Andin solgha / onggha burulung!
I'm looking for John.: Men Jon ni izdewatimen.
One moment please!: Birdem saqlap turung!
Hold on please! (phone): Birdem kütüp turung!
Come with me!: Buyaqqa këling / Man bilen bille mënging!

Problems

Leave me alone.: Mëni yalghuz qoyung .
Don't touch me!: Manga tegme !
I'll call the police.: Saqchigha melum qilimen.
Police!: Saqchi!
Stop! Thief!: Toxta! Oghri!
I need your help.: Men yardimingizge muxtaj.
It's an emergency.: Jiddiy ehwal.
I'm lost!: Man ëzip qaldim.
I lost my bag.: Somkamni yüttüriwettim.
I lost my wallet.: Hemyanimni yüttüriwettim.
I'm sick.: Men aghrip qaldim.
I've been injured.: Men yarilandim.
I need a doctor.: Manga doxtur kërek.
Can I use your phone?: Tëlifoningizni ishlitip tursam bolamdu?

Numbers

1: بىر, bir
2: ئىككى, ikki
3: ئۈچ, üch
4: تۆت, töt
5: بەش, besh
6: ئالتە, alte
7: يەتتە, yette
8: سەككىز, sekkiz
9: توققۇز, toqquz
10: ئون, on
11: ئونبىر, onbir
12: ئون ئىككى, on ikki
13: ئون ئۈچ, on üch
14: ئون تۆت, on töt
15: ئون بەش, on besh
16: ئون ئالتە, on alte
17: ئون يەتتە, on yette
18: ئون سەككىز, on sekkiz
19: ئون توققۇز, on toqquz
20: يىگىرمە, yigirme
30: ئوتتۇز, ottuz
40: قىرىق, qiriq
50: ئەللىك, ellik
60: ئاتمىش, atmish
70: يەتمىش, yetmish
80: سەكسەن, seksen
90: توقسان, toqsan
100: يۈز, yüz
200: ئىككى يۈز, ikki yüz
300: ئۈچ يۈز, üq yüz
1,000: مىڭ, ming
2,000: ئىككى مىڭ, ikki ming
1,000,000: مىليون, milyon
1,000,000,000: مىليارد, milyard
1,000,000,000,000: تىرىليون, trilyon
number ____ (train, bus, etc.): نومۇر, nomur
half: يېرىم, yërim
less: ئاز, az
more: كۆپ, köp

Time

now: hazir.
later: birdem turup.
before: baya.
morning: etigen.
afternoon: chüshtin kiyin.
evening: gugum.
night: kech.

Clock time

one o'clock AM: chüshtin burun bir.
two o'clock AM: chüshtin burun ikki.
noon: Qüsh.
one o'clock PM: chüshtin kiyin bir.
two o'clock PM: chüshtin kiyin ikki.
midnight: yërim këche.

Duration

_____ minute(s): _____ minut.
_____ hour(s): _____ saet.
_____ day(s): _____ kün.
_____ week(s): _____ hepte.
_____ month(s): _____ ay.
_____ year(s): _____ yil.

Days

today: bügün.
yesterday: tünügün.
tomorrow: ete.
this week: bu hepte.
last week: aldinqi hepte.
next week: këler hepte.

There are two ways to express the days of the week: one borrowed from Persian and the other calqued on Chinese using Turkish words.

Sunday: Yëkshenbe.
Monday: Düshenbe.
Tuesday: Seyshenbe.
Wednesday: Charshenbe.
Thursday: Peyshenbe.
Friday: Jüme.
Saturday: Shenbe.

Months

There are two ways to express months: one borrowed from Russian, another calqued on Chinese using Turkish words.

January: يانۋار, Yanwar or birinchi ay
February: فېۋرال, Fëwral or ikkinchi ay
March: مارت, Mart or üchinchi ay
April: ئاپرىل, April or tötinchi ay
May: ماي, May or beshinchi ay
June: ئىيۇن, Iyun or altinchi ay
July: ئىيۇل, Iyul or yettinchi ay
August: ئاۋغۇست, Awghust or sekkinzinchi ay
September: سىنتەبىر, Sintebir or toqquzinchi ay
October: ئۆكتەبىر, Öktebir or oninchi ay
November: نويابىر, Noyabir or on birinchi ay
December: دىكابىر, Dikabir or on ikkinchi ay

Writing time and date

Colors

black: qara.
white: aq.
gray: külreng.
red: qizil.
blue: kök.
yellow: sëriq.
green: yëshil.
orange: apëlsin reng.
purple: binepshe.
brown: qongur.

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: _____ge baridighan bilet qanche pul?
One ticket to _____, please.: Bir dane _____ge baridighan bilet bëring.
Where does this train/bus go?: Bu poyuz/aptuz nege baridu?
Where is the train/bus to _____?: _____ge baridighan poyuz/aptuz nede?
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: Bu poyuz/aptuz _____da toxtamdu?
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: .
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: .

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: .
...the train station?: .
...the bus station?: .
...the airport?: .
...downtown?: .
...the youth hostel?: .
...the _____ hotel?: .
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: .
Where are there a lot of...: .
...hotels?: .
...restaurants?: .
...bars?: .
...sites to see?: .
Can you show me on the map?: .
street: .
Turn left.: .
Turn right.: .
left: sol.
right: ong.
straight ahead: .
towards the _____: .
past the _____: .
before the _____: .
Watch for the _____.: .
intersection: .
north: shimal.
south: jenup.
east: sheriq.
west: gherip.
uphill: tik.
downhill: döng.

Taxi

Taxi!: Taksi.
Take me to _____, please.: Mëni _____ge apirip qoyung.
How much does it cost to get to _____?: .
Take me there, please.: .

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: .
How much is a room for one person/two people?: .
Does the room come with...: .
...bedsheets?: .
...a bathroom?: .
...a telephone?: .
...a TV?: .
May I see the room first?: .
Do you have anything quieter?: .
...bigger?: .
...cleaner?: .
...cheaper?: .
OK, I'll take it.: .
I will stay for _____ night(s).: .
Can you suggest another hotel?: .
Do you have a safe?: .
...lockers?: .
Is breakfast/supper included?: .
What time is breakfast/supper?: .
Please clean my room.: .
Can you wake me at _____?: .
I want to check out.: .

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: .
Do you accept British pounds?: .
Do you accept euros?: .
Do you accept credit cards?: .
Can you change money for me?: .
Where can I get money changed?: .
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: .
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: .
What is the exchange rate?: .
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: .

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: .
Can I look at the menu, please?: .
Can I look in the kitchen?: .
Is there a house specialty?: .
Is there a local specialty?: .
I'm a vegetarian.: .
I don't eat pork.: .
I don't eat beef.: .
I only eat kosher food.: .
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): .
fixed-price meal: .
a la carte: .
breakfast: .
lunch: .
tea (meal): .
supper: .
I want _____.: .
I want a dish containing _____.: .
chicken: .
beef: .
fish: .
ham: .
sausage: .
cheese: .
eggs: .
salad: .
(fresh) vegetables: .
(fresh) fruit: .
bread: .
toast: .
noodles: .
rice: .
beans: .
May I have a glass of _____?: .
May I have a cup of _____?: .
May I have a bottle of _____?: .
coffee: .
tea (drink): .
juice: .
(bubbly) water: .
(still) water: .
beer: .
red/white wine: .
May I have some _____?: .
salt: .
black pepper: .
butter: .
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): .
I'm finished.: .
It was delicious.: .
Please clear the plates.: .
The check, please.: .

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: .
Is there table service?: .
A beer/two beers, please.: .
A glass of red/white wine, please.: .
A pint, please.: .
A bottle, please.: .
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: .
whiskey: .
vodka: .
rum: .
water: .
club soda: .
tonic water: .
orange juice: .
Coke (soda): .
Do you have any bar snacks?: .
One more, please.: .
Another round, please.: .
When is closing time?: .
Cheers!: .

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: .
How much is this?: Buning bahasi Qancha?
That's too expensive.: .
Would you take _____?: .
expensive: .
cheap: .
I can't afford it.: .
I don't want it.: .
You're cheating me.: .
I'm not interested.: .
OK, I'll take it.: .
Can I have a bag?: .
Do you ship (overseas)?: .
I need...: .
...toothpaste.: .
...a toothbrush.: .
...tampons.: . .
...soap.: .
...shampoo.: .
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): .
...cold medicine.: .
...stomach medicine.: . ...
...a razor.: .
...an umbrella.: .
...sunblock lotion.: .
...a postcard.: .
...postage stamps.: .
...batteries.: .
...writing paper.: .
...a pen.: .
...English-language books.: .
...English-language magazines.: .
...an English-language newspaper.: .
...an English-English dictionary.: .

Driving

I want to rent a car.: .
Can I get insurance?: .
stop (on a street sign): .
one way: .
yield: .
no parking: .
speed limit: .
gas (petrol) station: .
petrol: .
diesel: .

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: . مەن ھېچنىمىنى خاتا قىلمىدىم. Men hëchnimini xata qilmidim.
It was a misunderstanding.: U digen bir uqushmasliq.
Where are you taking me?: Mëni nege apirisen?
Am I under arrest?: .
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: .
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: .
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Adwokatim bilen körüshimen.
Can I just pay a fine now?: .

Learning more

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