When traveling to Azerbaijan or meeting an Azerbaijani, it’s crucial to be armed with some basic phrases and greetings to show respect and kind intentions. Azerbaijani, sometimes referred to as Azeri, is the official language of Azerbaijan and is spoken by millions across the world. Below, we will delve into some respectful phrases and greetings that can help you make a great impression and maybe even some new friends!

Salam
‘Salam’ means ‘Hello’ in Azerbaijani and is the most common greeting used any time of day or night. It is a safe and neutral way to greet people with whom you are not familiar.
Sizə salam! (Hello to you!)

Necəsiz?
This expression means ‘How are you?’ and is a polite way to inquire about someone’s well-being after the initial greeting.
Necəsiz? Mən yaxşıyam, sağ olun! (How are you? I’m good, thank you!)

Sağ ol (olun)
This means ‘Thank you’ and is the direct way to express gratitude. ‘Sağ olun’ is more formal or polite, used when addressing someone older or in a more formal context.
Yardımınız üçün sağ ol! (Thank you for your help!)

Buyurun
This word can mean ‘Here you are’ when giving something, or ‘Please’ when inviting someone to do something. It’s a versatile phrase that is polite and can be used in many different contexts.
Stolu əhatə edin, buyurun. (Set the table, please.)

Xahiş edirəm
This phrase means ‘Please’, as in when making a request. It can also mean ‘You’re welcome’ when responding to a ‘thank you’.
Qapını açar xahiş edirəm? (Could you please open the door?)

Adınız nədir?
‘What is your name?’ is both respectful and one of the first questions one might ask when meeting someone new.
Tanış olmaq məmnuniyyətdir, adınız nədir? (Nice to meet you, what is your name?)

Çox gözəl
This means ‘Very beautiful,’ and it could be used to compliment someone respectfully or to show appreciation for something beautiful.
Bu mənzərə çox gözəldir. (This view is very beautiful.)

Bağışlayın
This means ‘Excuse me’ or ‘I’m sorry’ and is a great phrase to have at the ready if you accidentally bump into someone or need to get someone’s attention.
Bağışlayın, saat neçədir? (Excuse me, what time is it?)

Təşəkkür edirəm
Equivalent to ‘Thank you,’ this phrase is a more formal way of expressing gratitude and is often appreciated in any polite conversation.
Dəstəyiniz üçün təşəkkür edirəm. (I thank you for your support.)

Allah sizə xeyir versin
A phrase meaning ‘God bless you,’ which can be used as a response to ‘thank you’ or when someone sneezes, similar to English.
Çay getirdiyiniz üçün Allah sizə xeyir versin. (God bless you for bringing the tea.)

Görüşərik!
This is a casual way of saying ‘See you!’ and you would use it when parting with friends or people you’re familiar with.
Sabah işdə görüşərik! (See you at work tomorrow!)

These phrases and greetings will serve you well in a wide range of situations, from the casual to the formal, and will show that you are making a sincere effort to communicate respectfully in the Azerbaijani language. Remember, when learning a new language, practice and patience are key. So, use these phrases often, and enjoy your journey into the rich Azerbaijani culture!