Heading to Kazakhstan? Great idea. Land of endless steppes, unfailing hospitality... and a language as musical as it is unpredictable! If you want to earn a smile (or even a dinner invitation), here are 10 Kazakh words to pull out.
1. Salem! / Salemetsiz be! (Сәлем! / Сәлеметсіз бе!)
👋 Hello! / Hello (polite form)
The basic word. If you only remember one word, make it this one.
"Salem" is used among friends, "Salemetsiz be" is the more respectful version – to use with elders or in formal contexts.
A well-placed "Salemetsiz be" = heart won.
2. Raqmet (Рақмет)
🙏 Thank you
Simple, effective, and always appreciated. Even more polite version: "kop raqmet": thank you very much.
Say it often, with a smile, and you're on the right track.
3. As bolsyn! (Ас болсын!)
🍽️ Bon appétit!
Ritual phrase before eating, said to those about to enjoy a meal.
4. Jolyn bolsyn! (Жолың болсын!)
🛣️ Have a good trip!
A kind wish for a good journey.
Said before a departure, a horseback ride, or even a simple return home.
5. Sarqyt (Сарқыт)
🎁 Leftovers offered after a meal
An untranslatable word but oh so revealing of Kazakh culture: when someone gives you food to take away after a feast, it's sarqyt.
The most surprising of doggy bags. Often consists of a joyful mix of beshbarmak (the national dish), fruits (usually with dessert remnants stuck to them), slightly crushed baursaks, and chocolates, all in a plastic bag.
6. Kalynyz qalai? (Қалыңыз қалай?)
❓ How are you? (polite form)
A sincere question that invites a real exchange.
Informal version: "Qalaisyz?" (Қалайсыз?) or "Qalai jūrsiz?" (Қалай жүрсіз?)
7. Ainalaiyn / Aynalaiym (Айналайын)
💗 Term of endearment, tenderness
Supreme word of affection, completely untranslatable, along the lines of: "You are my dear, my heart, my everything."
Kazakh grandmothers use it with their grandchildren, but it can also be said between friends or couples. Ultra affectionate.
8. Tamasha! (Тамаша!)
👏 Great! Awesome!
A word of enthusiasm. When everything's going well, you say "Tamasha!"
To be shouted from a mountaintop or in front of a traditional dance.
9. Masqara! (Масқара!)
😲 Scandal! What a shame!
Unlike Tamasha, this one expresses dismay or disapproval.
To use at the bazaar when someone wants to sell you that plastic yurt-shaped magnet for 5000 tenge! (a situation that never happens).
Or when illegal taxis ask you 20,000 tenge at the airport to take you to the city (any resemblance to a real situation is not coincidental...).
You can even add "Uyat emes pa?!" (Ұят емес па?!): aren't you ashamed?!
10. Bazar joq! (Базар жоқ!)
😎 Nothing to say! It's perfect!
Popular Kazakh slang, especially among young people. Literally "no bazaar" = "no problem / nothing to complain about".
It's Kazakhstan's version of "cool beans".
🧠 Bonus: the longest Kazakh word: Qanağattandyrylmağandığıñyzdan (Қанағаттандырылмағандығыңыздан)
Because of your dissatisfaction.
Yes, there is a single word to say that. If you manage to pronounce it, you'll surely win the eternal respect of Kazakhs, automatic discounts at the bazaar, and very certainly many lunch invitations!
Joking aside, Kazakhs are proud of their beautiful language, and always grateful to visitors who make the effort to learn a few words. The best way to earn a huge smile!