Learning Uzbek: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free Uzbek course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.
What Uzbek is like
Uzbek is a Turkic language, so the word order is Subject – Object – Verb and all the grammar lives in suffixes added to the end of words. There is no gender (no 'he/she/it') and no articles (no 'a' or 'the'). It is written phonetically in the Latin alphabet: men = 'I', mening = 'my'. For polite or formal 'you', use Siz. To say you want something: Men … xohlayman — e.g. Men choy xohlayman (I want tea). To ask a question simply add -mi? to the end: Suv bormi? = is there water?
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
Uzbek is written in the Latin alphabet and is nearly phonetic — learn the few special letters and you can read any word aloud. Watch the deep throat letters q and x, the special sounds oʻ and gʻ, and the rounded vowels.
- oʻ — a deep, rounded "o" said further back, like "aw" in "law" or the "o" here could feel a little like "or" — it is rounder than the plain "o", as in oʻn = on (ten) · soʻz = sos (word).
- gʻ — a voiced throaty sound like a soft French "r" or the gutteral "g"; there's no exact English match, as in toʻgʻri = TOGH-ree (straight) · gʻoz = ghoz (goose).
- q — a deep "k" made at the back of the throat (like Arabic "qaf"), as in qahva = KAH-vah (coffee) · qayer = kha-YER (where).
- x — a rough, throaty "kh", like Scottish "loch", as in xayr = khayr (goodbye) · yaxshi = YAKH-shee (good).
- o — an open rounded "o", like the "o" in "hot" or "not" (a little deeper than the letter in English), as in non = non (bread) · osh = osh (plov).
- u — rounded "oo", like "oo" in "food", as in suv = soov (water) · kun = koon (day).
- sh — like "sh" in "shoe", as in shakar = sha-KAR (sugar) · osh = osh (plov).
- ch — like "ch" in "church" (soft), as in choy = choy (tea) · kech = kech (evening).
First phrases
The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.
| Uzbek | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Salom | SAH-lom | Hello |
| Xayrli tong | khay-REE tong | Good morning |
| Xayrli kech | khay-REE kech | Good evening |
| Xayr | khayr | Goodbye |
| Qalaysiz? | kha-LAY-siz | How are you? |
| Yaxshi, rahmat | YAKH-shee, RAH-mat | I'm well, thanks |
| Mening ismim Alex | MEN-eeng ees-MEEM Alex | My name is Alex |
| Rahmat | RAH-mat | Thank you |
| Iltimos | il-tee-MOS | Please |
| Kechirasiz | ke-chee-RAH-siz | Excuse me |
| Marhamat | mar-ha-MAT | Here you go |
| Ha | hah | Yes |
| Yoʻq | yok | No |
| Bir | beer | 1 |
| Ikki | ee-KEE | 2 |
| Besh | besh | 5 |
| Oʻn | on | 10 |
| Suv | soov | water |
| Non | non | bread |
| Choy | choy | tea |
| Qahva | KAH-vah | coffee |
| Osh | osh | plov (rice dish) |
| Juda mazali! | JOO-dah mah-za-LEE | It's delicious! |
| Qayerda? | kha-YER-dah | Where is it? |
| Oʻngga | ong-GAH | to the right |
| Chapga | chap-GAH | to the left |
| Toʻgʻri | TOGH-ree | straight ahead |
| Bekat qayerda? | be-KAT kha-YER-dah | Where is the stop? |
| Bu qancha turadi? | boo khan-CHAH too-RAH-dee | How much is it? |
| Bu nima? | boo nee-MA | What is this? |
How the Uzbek course is structured
The course has 16 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:
- Greetings — salom · xayrli tong · xayr · qalaysiz?
- Being polite — rahmat · iltimos · kechirasiz · ha · yoʻq
- Numbers 1–10 — bir · ikki · uch · toʻrt · besh · oʻn
- I want" — men xohlayman — men xohlayman · xohlamayman · nima xohlaysiz?
- Food & drink — suv · non · choy · qahva · osh
- Getting around — qayerda? · oʻng · chap · toʻgʻri
- Questions & "do you have…?" — nima · qayer · qachon · qancha · bormi?
- Family & people — oila · ona · ota · aka · doʻst
- Time, days & weather — bugun · ertaga · kecha · ob-havo
- Your name — Mening ismim Alex · Sizning ismingiz nima?
- Health & emergency — yordam! · shifokor · dorixona · tushunmayapman
- Tying it together — a capstone mini-scene
- Airport & tickets — aeroport · pasport · chipta · reys
- The taxi — taksi · borish · mehmonxona · toʻxtang
- The hotel — bron · xona · kalit · tun
- Ask for help — tushunmadim · sekinroq · inglizcha
Inside the lessons
Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.
Greetings
Key pieces: salom · xayrli tong · xayr · qalaysiz?
The word you'll use all day — salom — hello. Say it out loud and you can greet almost anyone.
- salom (SAH-lom) — hello / hi
- xayrli tong (khay-REE tong) — good morning
- xayrli kech (khay-REE kech) — good evening
- xayr (khayr) — goodbye
- qalaysiz? (kha-LAY-siz) — how are you? (formal)
Xayrli tong = good morning; xayrli kech = good evening. Xayr = goodbye.
To say “Hello! How are you?” in Uzbek: Salom! Qalaysiz? (SAH-lom, kha-LAY-siz). Built from salom = hello; qalaysiz? = how are you?.
To answer 'how are you?' say Yaxshi — I'm good — and add rahmat (thanks).
- yaxshi (YAKH-shee) — good / well Memory hook: = Turkish yaxşı.
- rahmat (RAH-mat) — thank you
- xayrli kun (khay-REE koon) — good day
To say “I'm well, thanks” in Uzbek: Yaxshi, rahmat (YAKH-shee, RAH-mat). Built from yaxshi = I'm well; rahmat = thanks.
Being polite
Key pieces: rahmat · iltimos · kechirasiz · ha · yoʻq
The two magic words: rahmat (thank you) and iltimos (please).
- rahmat (RAH-mat) — thank you Memory hook: ≈ Arabic/Persian rahmat.
- iltimos (il-tee-MOS) — please
- kechirasiz (ke-chee-RAH-siz) — excuse me / sorry
- ha (hah) — yes
- yoʻq (yok) — no
To say “Thank you, please” in Uzbek: Rahmat, iltimos (RAH-mat, il-tee-MOS). Built from rahmat = thank you; iltimos = please.
Kechirasiz = excuse me — perfect for getting someone's attention or apologising.
To say “Excuse me, thank you” in Uzbek: Kechirasiz, rahmat (ke-chee-RAH-siz, RAH-mat). Built from kechirasiz = excuse me; rahmat = thank you.
When a server hands you something they'll say Marhamat — here you go. It also means 'go ahead'.
To say “Yes / No” in Uzbek: Ha / Yoʻq (hah / yok). Built from ha = yes; yoʻq = no.
Numbers 1–10
Key pieces: bir · ikki · uch · toʻrt · besh · oʻn
Numbers are the fastest win, and several are almost identical to Turkish. Listen and repeat: bir, ikki, uch .
- bir (beer) — 1 Memory hook: = Turkish bir.
- ikki (ee-KEE) — 2 Memory hook: = Turkish iki.
- uch (ooch) — 3 Memory hook: = Turkish üç.
- toʻrt (tort) — 4 Memory hook: ≈ Turkish dört.
- besh (besh) — 5 Memory hook: = Turkish beş.
- olti (ol-TEE) — 6
- yetti (YET-tee) — 7
- sakkiz (sak-KEEZ) — 8
- toʻqqiz (tok-KIZ) — 9
- oʻn (on) — 10 Memory hook: = Turkish on.
To say “Two teas, please” in Uzbek: Ikki choy, iltimos (ee-KEE choy, il-tee-MOS). Built from ikki = two; choy = tea; iltimos = please.
To ask a price: Bu qancha turadi? — how much is it? The money is the soʻm.
To say “How much is it?” in Uzbek: Bu qancha turadi? (boo khan-CHAH too-RAH-dee). Built from bu = this; qancha = how much; turadi? = does it cost?.
To say “It's five thousand soʻm” in Uzbek: Besh ming soʻm (besh meeng som). Built from besh = five; ming = thousand; soʻm = the currency (som).
I want" — men xohlayman
Key pieces: men xohlayman · xohlamayman · nima xohlaysiz?
To say you want something: Men … xohlayman — I want. The verb xohlamoq is 'to want'.
- men (men) — I Memory hook: ≈ Turkish ben.
- men xohlayman (men KHO-khla-y-man) — I want
- xohlamayman (KHO-khla-may-man) — I don't want
- nima xohlaysiz? (nee-MA KHO-khla-y-siz) — what do you want?
To say “I want tea” in Uzbek: Men choy xohlayman (men choy KHO-khla-y-man). Built from men = I; choy = tea; xohlayman = I want.
To say “I want water” in Uzbek: Men suv xohlayman (men soov KHO-khla-y-man). Built from men = I; suv = water; xohlayman = I want.
To say you don't want something: xohlamayman . Handy when a seller offers you something.
To say “I don't want coffee” in Uzbek: Men qahva xohlamayman (men KAH-vah KHO-khla-may-man). Built from men = I; qahva = coffee; xohlamayman = I don't want.
Food & drink
Key pieces: suv · non · choy · qahva · osh
The essentials: suv (water), non (bread), choy (tea). Tea is everywhere.
- suv (soov) — water Memory hook: = Turkish su.
- non (non) — bread Memory hook: ≈ Persian nān.
- choy (choy) — tea Memory hook: ≈ English chai.
- qahva (KAH-vah) — coffee Memory hook: ≈ English coffee.
- osh (osh) — plov (rice dish)
- goʻsht (gosht) — meat
- shakar (sha-KAR) — sugar Memory hook: ≈ English sugar.
To say “Water and bread, please” in Uzbek: Suv va non, iltimos (soov va non, il-tee-MOS). Built from suv = water; va = and; non = bread; iltimos = please.
A choyxona is a tea house — the heart of Uzbek social life. Order a cup with choy .
To say “I'd like the menu” in Uzbek: Menyu, iltimos (MEN-yoo, il-tee-MOS). Built from menyu = menu (loanword); iltimos = please.
To praise the food: Juda mazali! — it's delicious!
To say “It's very tasty!” in Uzbek: Juda mazali! (JOO-dah mah-za-LEE). Built from juda = very; mazali = tasty.
Getting around
Key pieces: qayerda? · oʻng · chap · toʻgʻri
The most useful question when you're lost: Qayerda? — where is it?
- Qayerda? (kha-YER-dah) — where is it? Memory hook: ≈ Turkish nerede.
- oʻng (ong) — right
- chap (chap) — left
- toʻgʻri (TOGH-ree) — straight ahead / correct
- bekat (be-KAT) — stop / station
- metro (met-ROH) — metro Memory hook: ≈ English metro.
To say “Where is the metro?” in Uzbek: Metro qayerda? (met-ROH kha-YER-dah). Built from metro = the metro; qayerda? = where is it?.
To say “Where is the stop?” in Uzbek: Bekat qayerda? (be-KAT kha-YER-dah). Built from bekat = stop; qayerda? = where is it?.
To give or follow directions: Oʻngga = to the right, Chapga = to the left, Toʻgʻri = straight ahead.
To say “Turn right, straight ahead” in Uzbek: Oʻngga, toʻgʻri (ong-GAH, TOGH-ree). Built from oʻngga = to the right; toʻgʻri = straight ahead.
Questions & "do you have…?"
Key pieces: nima · qayer · qachon · qancha · bormi?
Question words: nima (what), qayer (where), qachon (when), qancha (how much).
- nima (nee-MA) — what Memory hook: ≈ Turkish ne.
- qayer (kha-YER) — where Memory hook: ≈ Turkish nerede.
- qachon (kha-CHON) — when Memory hook: ≈ Turkish ne zaman.
- qancha (khan-CHAH) — how much
- kim (keem) — who Memory hook: = Turkish kim.
- bormi? (BOR-mee) — is there? / do you have?
To say “What is this?” in Uzbek: Bu nima? (boo nee-MA). Built from bu = this; nima = what.
Bormi? = is there? / do you have? Often added to a noun: Suv bormi? = is there water?
To say “Is there wifi?” in Uzbek: Wi-Fi bormi? (WEE-fee BOR-mee). Built from wifi = the wifi; bormi? = is there / do you have?.
To say “Do you have water?” in Uzbek: Sizda suv bormi? (SEEZ-dah soov BOR-mee). Built from sizda = with you (formal); suv = water; bormi? = do you have?.
Family & people
Key pieces: oila · ona · ota · aka · doʻst
Family words: oila (family), ona (mother), ota (father).
- oila (oy-LEH) — family Memory hook: ≈ Turkish aile.
- ona (o-NAH) — mother Memory hook: ≈ Turkish ana.
- ota (o-TAH) — father Memory hook: ≈ Turkish ata.
- aka (a-KAH) — older brother
- singil (seen-GEEL) — younger sister
- doʻst (dost) — friend Memory hook: = Turkish dost.
To say “This is my family” in Uzbek: Bu mening oilam (boo MEN-eeng oy-LEM). Built from bu = this; mening = my; oilam = my family.
To say you have something, use Mening … bor — literally 'my … exists'.
To say “I have a friend” in Uzbek: Mening doʻstim bor (MEN-eeng dos-TEEM bor). Built from mening = my; doʻstim = my friend; bor = is / have.
To say “I have a family” in Uzbek: Mening oilam bor (MEN-eeng oy-LEM bor). Built from mening = my; oilam = my family; bor = is / have.
Time, days & weather
Key pieces: bugun · ertaga · kecha · ob-havo
Today is bugun , tomorrow is ertaga .
- bugun (boo-GOON) — today Memory hook: ≈ Turkish bugün.
- ertaga (er-ta-GAH) — tomorrow
- kecha (ke-CHA) — yesterday
- ob-havo (OB hah-vo) — weather
- issiq (ee-SEEK) — hot / warm
- sovuq (so-VOOK) — cold Memory hook: ≈ Turkish soğuk.
To say “See you tomorrow” in Uzbek: Ertaga koʻrishamiz (er-ta-GAH ko-ree-sha-meez). Built from ertaga = tomorrow; koʻrishamiz = we'll meet.
Ask about the weather: Ob-havo qanday? — how is the weather?
To say “It's hot today” in Uzbek: Bugun issiq (boo-GOON ee-SEEK). Built from bugun = today; issiq = hot.
To say “It's cold today” in Uzbek: Bugun sovuq (boo-GOON so-VOOK). Built from bugun = today; sovuq = cold.
Your name
Key pieces: Mening ismim Alex · Sizning ismingiz nima?
Introduce yourself: Mening ismim Alex — my name is Alex.
- Mening ismim Alex (MEN-eeng ees-MEEM Alex) — my name is Alex
- Sizning ismingiz nima? (SEEZ-neeng ees-meen-GEES nee-MA) — what is your name? (formal)
- ism (eesm) — name Memory hook: ≈ Arabic ism.
- sizning (SEEZ-neeng) — your (formal)
To say “My name is Alex” in Uzbek: Mening ismim Alex (MEN-eeng ees-MEEM Alex). Built from mening = my; ismim = my name; Alex = your name.
To ask someone's name politely: Sizning ismingiz nima?
To say “What is your name?” in Uzbek: Sizning ismingiz nima? (SEEZ-neeng ees-meen-GEES nee-MA). Built from sizning = your (formal); ismingiz = your name; nima = what.
To say you're pleased to meet someone: Tanishganimdan xursandman — very glad to meet you.
To say “Pleased to meet you” in Uzbek: Tanishganimdan xursandman (ta-neesh-GA-neem-dan khoor-SAND-man). Built from tanishganimdan = from meeting you; xursandman = I am glad.
Health & emergency
Key pieces: yordam! · shifokor · dorixona · tushunmayapman
The most important words if you need help: Yordam! (help!), shifokor (doctor), dorixona (pharmacy).
- Yordam! (yor-DAM) — help!
- shifokor (shee-FOH-kor) — doctor
- dorixona (do-ree-KHO-nah) — pharmacy
- kasalxona (ka-sal-KHO-nah) — hospital
- Tushunmayapman (too-shoon-MAH-yap-man) — I don't understand
- politsiya (po-lee-TSEE-ya) — police Memory hook: ≈ English police.
To say “Help!” in Uzbek: Yordam! (yor-DAM). Built from yordam = help.
To say “I don't understand” in Uzbek: Tushunmayapman (too-shoon-MAH-yap-man). Built from tushunmayapman = I don't understand.
To say you need something: Menga … kerak — I need…
To say “I need a doctor” in Uzbek: Menga shifokor kerak (MEN-ga shee-FOH-kor ke-RAK). Built from menga = to me; shifokor = doctor; kerak = is needed.
To say “I need help” in Uzbek: Menga yordam kerak (MEN-ga yor-DAM ke-RAK). Built from menga = to me; yordam = help; kerak = is needed.
Tying it together
Key pieces: a capstone mini-scene
Great — you've built a real toolbox. This capstone uses only words you've met. Build each line yourself before revealing it.
To say “Hello! How are you?” in Uzbek: Salom! Qalaysiz? (SAH-lom, kha-LAY-siz). Built from salom = hello; qalaysiz? = how are you?.
To say “My name is Alex” in Uzbek: Mening ismim Alex (MEN-eeng ees-MEEM Alex). Built from mening ismim = my name; Alex = your name.
To say “A tea, please” in Uzbek: Bir choy, iltimos (beer choy, il-tee-MOS). Built from bir = one; choy = tea; iltimos = please.
To say “How much is it?” in Uzbek: Bu qancha turadi? (boo khan-CHAH too-RAH-dee). Built from bu = this; qancha = how much; turadi? = does it cost?.
Airport & tickets
Key pieces: aeroport · pasport · chipta · reys
You have landed. The building is the aeroport . Your document is a pasport .
- aeroport (ah-eh-roh-PORT) — the airport
- pasport (PAHS-port) — the passport
- chipta (CHIP-tah) — the ticket
- reys (rays) — the flight
- darvoza (dar-voh-ZAH) — the gate
To say “Where is the airport?” in Uzbek: Aeroport qayerda? (ah-eh-roh-PORT kah-YER-dah). Built from aeroport = the airport; qayerda? = where?.
To say “Here is my passport” in Uzbek: Mana mening pasportim (MAH-nah MEH-ning PAHS-por-tim). Built from mana = here is; mening pasportim = my passport.
To say “A ticket, please” in Uzbek: Chipta, iltimos (CHIP-tah, il-tee-MOHS). Built from chipta = ticket; iltimos = please.
To say “Where is the gate?” in Uzbek: Darvoza qayerda? (dar-voh-ZAH kah-YER-dah). Built from darvoza = the gate; qayerda? = where?.
The taxi
Key pieces: taksi · borish · mehmonxona · toʻxtang
The driver is waiting. taksi is the word you need. Tell them where to go with borishni xohlayman .
- taksi (TAHK-see) — the taxi
- haydovchi (high-DOHV-chee) — the driver
- borishni xohlayman (BOH-rish-nee khoh-LAI-man) — I want to go
- shu yerda toʻxtang (shoo YER-dah TOKH-tang) — stop here
To say “Taxi, please” in Uzbek: Taksi, iltimos (TAHK-see, il-tee-MOHS). Built from taksi = taxi; iltimos = please.
To say “I want to go to the hotel” in Uzbek: Mehmonxonaga borishni xohlayman (meh-mon-khoh-nah-GAH BOH-rish-nee khoh-LAI-man). Built from mehmonxonaga = to the hotel; borishni xohlayman = I want to go.
To say “Stop here, please” in Uzbek: Shu yerda toʻxtang, iltimos (shoo YER-dah TOKH-tang, il-tee-MOHS). Built from shu yerda toʻxtang = stop here; iltimos = please.
To say “How much is it?” in Uzbek: Qancha turadi? (KAN-chah too-RAH-dee). Built from qancha = how much; turadi? = does it cost?.
The hotel
Key pieces: bron · xona · kalit · tun
At the desk: Menda bron bor — I have a reservation.
- mehmonxona (meh-mon-KHOH-nah) — the hotel
- bron (brohn) — the reservation
- xona (KHOH-nah) — the room
- kalit (kah-LEET) — the key
- bir tun (beer toon) — one night
To say “I have a reservation” in Uzbek: Menda bron bor (MEN-dah brohn bor). Built from menda = I have; bron bor = a reservation.
To say “A room for one night, please” in Uzbek: Bir tunlik xona, iltimos (beer TOON-lik KHOH-nah, il-tee-MOHS). Built from bir tunlik = for one night; xona = a room; iltimos = please.
To say “The key, please” in Uzbek: Kalit, iltimos (kah-LEET, il-tee-MOHS). Built from kalit = the key; iltimos = please.
To say “Where is my room?” in Uzbek: Mening xonam qayerda? (MEH-ning KHOH-nam kah-YER-dah). Built from mening xonam = my room; qayerda? = where?.
Ask for help
Key pieces: tushunmadim · sekinroq · inglizcha
When the language is too fast: Sekinroq, iltimos — slower, please.
- sekinroq (seh-keen-ROHK) — slower
- yana (yah-NAH) — again
- inglizcha (ing-LEEZ-chah) — English
- yordam bera olasizmi? (YOR-dam BEH-rah oh-LAH-siz-mee) — can you help?
To say “I don't understand” in Uzbek: Tushunmadim (too-shoon-mah-DEEM). Built from tushunmadim = I didn't understand.
To say “Slower, please” in Uzbek: Sekinroq, iltimos (seh-keen-ROHK, il-tee-MOHS). Built from sekinroq = slower; iltimos = please.
To say “Can you help me?” in Uzbek: Yordam bera olasizmi? (YOR-dam BEH-rah oh-LAH-siz-mee). Built from yordam = help; bera olasizmi? = can you give?.
To say “Do you speak English?” in Uzbek: Inglizcha gapirasizmi? (ing-LEEZ-chah gah-pee-rah-SIZ-mee). Built from inglizcha = English; gapirasizmi? = do you speak?.
Common mistakes and things to watch out for
- qalaysiz? (kha-LAY-siz): formal.
- osh (osh): rice dish.
- Sizning ismingiz nima? (SEEZ-neeng ees-meen-GEES nee-MA): formal.
- sizning (SEEZ-neeng): formal.
Culture and etiquette
The bazaar is the heart of it
The bazaar (bozor) is central to Uzbek life — a sprawling market of fruit, spices, bread and handicrafts. In the city bazaars prices are often negotiable: ask 'Bu qancha turadi?' and politely counter with 'Juda qimmat!' (too expensive!). A smile and 'iltimos' go a long way, and sellers usually enjoy the friendly haggling.
Plov is the national dish
Plov (osh) — rice with carrots, onions and meat — is the signature Uzbek dish, served for celebrations and big gatherings. It's often cooked on a huge scale and shared. Ordering a plate of osh is a great way to connect, and the famous saying 'plov is the king of dishes' (Osh — yegulikning qoni) tells you how much it matters.
Hospitality comes first
Uzbeks are famously warm to guests. If you're invited home you'll be offered tea (choy) and food within minutes, and the family will insist you eat more. Refusing can seem rude — a little 'rahmat' and one more bite goes a long way. Tea is almost always poured and refilled, and turning the cup over signals you're done.
Land of the Silk Road
Uzbekistan sits at the heart of the ancient Silk Road, with the trading cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. These cities were meeting points for traders and travellers, which is why Uzbek absorbed words from Persian, Arabic, Russian and beyond. The tile-work and madrasas (Islamic schools) of Samarkand are some of the most beautiful in the world.
Glories of the melon
Uzbekistan is famous for its incredibly sweet melons (qovun) and its round flat bread (non), stamped with patterns and baked in traditional clay ovens (tandir). Sawing into a juicy melon or tearing off a piece of fresh non is a memory you'll keep — and a perfect conversation opener.
The choyxona (tea house)
The choyxona — a tea house with shaded platforms — is the social hub of any Uzbek town. Men and families gather for green tea, sweets and conversation, often for hours. It's a relaxed place where you can sit and soak up daily life, and it's also where you'll practise your first words of Uzbek.
Example dialogues
At a choyxona (tea house)
You: Salom! Bir choy, iltimos. (SAH-lom, beer choy, il-tee-MOS) — Hello! A tea, please.
Server: Marhamat. Yana nima kerak? (mar-ha-MAT, ya-NA NEEM-a ke-RAK) — Here you are. Anything else?
You: Bir non, iltimos. (beer non, il-tee-MOS) — A bread, please.
You: Bu qancha turadi? (boo khan-CHAH too-RAH-dee) — How much is it?
Server: Besh ming soʻm. (besh meeng som) — Five thousand soʻm.
You: Rahmat! (RAH-mat) — Thank you!
Getting around
You: Kechirasiz, bekat qayerda? (ke-chee-RAH-siz, be-KAT kha-YER-dah) — Excuse me, where is the stop?
Local: U yerda, toʻgʻri. (oo yer-DAH, TOGH-ree) — There, straight ahead.
You: Rahmat. Bitta chipta, iltimos. (RAH-mat, BEET-ta cheep-TA, il-tee-MOS) — Thanks. One ticket, please.
Driver: Ikki ming soʻm. (ee-KEE meeng som) — Two thousand soʻm.
You: Rahmat! (RAH-mat) — Thank you!
At a restaurant
Waiter: Xush kelibsiz! Nima buyurasiz? (khoosh ke-leeb-SEEZ, nee-MA boo-yoo-RA-siz) — Welcome! What would you like?
You: Menyu, iltimos. (MEN-yoo, il-tee-MOS) — The menu, please.
You: Men osh va suv xohlayman. (men osh va soov KHO-khla-y-man) — I'd like plov and water.
Waiter: Juda yaxshi. (JOO-dah YAKH-shee) — Very good.
You: Bu qancha turadi? (boo khan-CHAH too-RAH-dee) — How much is it?
Waiter: Oʻn besh ming soʻm. (on besh meeng som) — Fifteen thousand soʻm.
Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.