Traveling to Azerbaijan can be a wonderful experience, and having a few basic phrases in Azerbaijani will not only enhance your journey but also help you connect with the local people. Azerbaijani, also known as Azeri, is the official language of Azerbaijan and is spoken by millions in the country. Here are some essential phrases that you can use during your travels.
1. Salam – Hello
This is the most basic greeting in Azerbaijani, suitable for most encounters.
Salam, necษsษn? – Hello, how are you?
2. Xoลbษxtษm – Pleased to meet you
A courteous way to express pleasure upon meeting someone.
Tanฤฑล olduฤuma xoลbษxtษm. – Pleased to meet you.
3. Necษsษn? – How are you?
An amiable way to inquire about someone’s well-being.
Salam, necษsษn? – Hello, how are you?
4. Yaxลฤฑyam, saฤ ol – I’m fine, thank you
A positive response to ‘Necษsษn?’ showing gratitude.
Necษsษn? – Yaxลฤฑyam, saฤ ol. – How are you? – I’m fine, thank you.
5. Adฤฑnฤฑz nษdir? – What is your name?
A question to ask someone’s name in a polite way.
Baฤฤฑลlayฤฑn, adฤฑnฤฑz nษdir? – Excuse me, what is your name?
6. Mษnim adฤฑm [your name] – My name is [your name]
An introduction of oneself with one’s name.
Mษnim adฤฑm John. – My name is John.
7. Baฤฤฑลlayฤฑn – Excuse me
A polite way to get someone’s attention or to apologize.
Baฤฤฑลlayฤฑn, bu avtobus ลษhษr mษrkษzinษ gedir mi? – Excuse me, does this bus go to the city center?
8. Saฤ ol / Saฤ olun – Thank you
A versatile phrase used to express gratitude; ‘Saฤ olun’ is the plural/formal version.
Kรถmษyiniz รผรงรผn saฤ olun. – Thank you for your help.
9. Xahiล edirษm – You’re welcome
A courteous response to ‘Saฤ ol’ when thanked.
Saฤ ol! – Xahiล edirษm. – Thank you! – You’re welcome.
10. Bษli – Yes
An affirmation to state agreement or to answer positively.
Bu sizin รงantanฤฑzdฤฑr? – Bษli. – Is this your bag? – Yes.
11. Xeyr – No
A simple negation to disagree or deny something.
Bu otelษ yaxฤฑndฤฑr? – Xeyr. – Is this close to the hotel? – No.
12. Nษ qษdษrdir? – How much is it?
A question posed to inquire about the price of an item or service.
Bu nษ qษdษrdir? – How much is this?
13. Hษkim – Doctor
Useful to know in case one needs medical attention.
Mษnษ hษkim lazฤฑmdฤฑr. – I need a doctor.
14. Kรถmษk edin! – Help!
A cry for assistance in urgent situations.
Zษhmษt olmasa kรถmษk edin! – Please help!
15. Tuvalet haradadฤฑr? – Where is the bathroom?
A practical question to find restrooms while traveling.
Baฤฤฑลlayฤฑn, tuvalet haradadฤฑr? – Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
These basic phrases serve as a great starting point for communicating with locals and navigating through Azerbaijan. The effort to speak Azerbaijani, even at a simple level, will be greatly appreciated and can significantly enrich your travel experience.