Language learning is an exciting journey that opens doors to new cultures, perspectives, and ways of thinking. One of the most delightful aspects of learning a new language is discovering its unique idiomatic expressions and figurative language. These expressions often reveal much about the culture and character of the people who speak it. The Kazakh language, with its rich history and nomadic heritage, is no exception. In this article, we will explore some of the funniest and most interesting figurative expressions in Kazakh, helping you gain a deeper appreciation for this fascinating language.

Expressions Involving Animals

Kazakh, like many languages, uses animals in its figurative expressions. These expressions often convey characteristics attributed to the animals in question, providing a vivid and sometimes humorous way to describe people and situations.

“Түйедей түймедей” (Tüyedey tüymedey)

This expression translates to “as big as a camel, as small as a button.” It is used to describe something being exaggerated out of proportion. Imagine someone making a mountain out of a molehill. The humor lies in the stark contrast between the enormous camel and the tiny button.

“Қой үстінде бозторғай жұмыртқалаған заман” (Qoy üstinde boztorğay jumyrtqalağan zaman)

This colorful phrase means “a time when a lark laid an egg on a sheep’s back.” It refers to a period of peace and prosperity. The imagery is whimsical and serene, conjuring a pastoral scene where even the wild lark feels safe enough to nest on a sheep.

“Қасқырдың аузы жесе де қан, жемесе де қан” (Qasqırdıñ auzy jese de qan, jemese de qan)

This translates to “The wolf’s mouth is bloody whether it eats or not.” It describes a situation where someone is blamed regardless of their actions. The expression captures the plight of the wolf, which is seen as a fearsome predator, always suspected of wrongdoing.

Expressions Involving Food

Food is a universal aspect of human life, and it’s no surprise that many idiomatic expressions in Kazakh revolve around it. These expressions often provide humorous and insightful commentaries on human behavior.

“Бір күн ұл болу, бір күн құл болу” (Bir kün ul bolu, bir kün qul bolu)

This phrase translates to “One day you are a son, the next day you are a slave.” It describes the unpredictable ups and downs of life, much like a rollercoaster. The humor comes from the stark contrast between being treated with utmost respect one day and being ordered around the next.

“Тырнақ астынан кір іздеу” (Tırnaq astınan kir izdeu)

Literally, this means “to look for dirt under the fingernails.” It describes someone who is nitpicking or finding faults in others. The visual of someone scrutinizing fingernails for dirt is both amusing and apt for those who are overly critical.

“Қазан аузы жоғары, қараның аузы төмен” (Qazan auzy joğar, qaranyñ auzy tömen)

This translates to “The mouth of the pot is up, the mouth of the poor is down.” It humorously points out the inequality between the rich and the poor, with the rich having their pots full and the poor left empty-handed.

Expressions Involving Body Parts

Expressions involving body parts are common in many languages, and Kazakh is no different. These expressions often provide a humorous or dramatic way to describe human behavior and emotions.

“Тілімен тістескен” (Tilimen tisteskén)

This expression means “to have bitten with the tongue.” It describes someone who is verbally sparring or arguing. The image of people biting each other with their tongues is both vivid and amusing, capturing the essence of a heated argument.

“Құлаққа кіріп, құйрықтан шығу” (Qulaqqa kirip, quyryqtan şyğu)

Literally, this phrase means “to enter through the ear and exit through the tail.” It describes information that goes in one ear and out the other. The humor lies in the absurdity of the information traveling through the entire body before being forgotten.

“Көзіне көк шыбын үймелету” (Köziné kók şybyn üymelétu)

This translates to “to make blue flies swarm in someone’s eyes.” It describes making someone angry or annoying them to the point of frustration. The visual of blue flies swarming around someone’s eyes is both funny and indicative of extreme annoyance.

Expressions Involving Nature

Kazakh culture has a deep connection with nature, stemming from its nomadic roots. Many figurative expressions involve natural elements, often providing a poetic and humorous commentary on life.

“Аспаннан түскендей” (Aspannan tüskendey)

This expression means “as if fallen from the sky.” It is used to describe someone who appears suddenly and unexpectedly. The humor comes from the dramatic imagery of someone literally dropping out of the sky, bewildering those around them.

“Суға түскен тас” (Suğa tüskén tas)

Literally, this translates to “a stone that has fallen into the water.” It describes someone who has disappeared without a trace. The humor is in the finality and inevitability of a stone sinking into water, never to be seen again.

“Бір тал кессең, он тал ек” (Bir tal kesseñ, on tal ek)

This phrase means “If you cut one tree, plant ten.” It encourages environmental consciousness and responsibility. While not inherently funny, the expression uses a simple, memorable rhyme to convey an important message, making it stick in the minds of listeners.

Expressions Involving Everyday Objects

Kazakh language also uses everyday objects in its idiomatic expressions, often providing a humorous take on common experiences and observations.

“Ит жоқта шошқа үреді” (It joqta şoşqa ürédi)

This translates to “When the dog is away, the pig barks.” It describes a situation where someone is acting out of character or taking advantage of an absence. The humor lies in the absurdity of a pig trying to bark like a dog.

“Жеті өліп, бір тірілу” (Jeti ölip, bir tirilu)

Literally, this means “to die seven times and come back to life once.” It describes someone who has gone through numerous hardships but has managed to survive. The exaggeration in this expression adds a humorous touch, highlighting the resilience of the person in question.

“Түйенің құйрығы бір-ақ түйір” (Tüyeniñ quyryğı bir-aq tüyir)

This phrase translates to “The camel’s tail is just one tuft.” It describes something that is consistent or unchanging. The humor comes from the image of the camel’s tail, which remains the same no matter what, much like the situation being described.

Expressions Involving Human Relationships

Human relationships are a rich source of idiomatic expressions in any language. Kazakh is no different, offering humorous and insightful ways to describe the complexities of social interactions.

“Жүзден жүйрік, мыңнан тұлпар” (Jüzen jüyrik, mıñnan tulpar)

This expression means “a steed among a hundred, a winged horse among a thousand.” It is used to describe someone who stands out in a crowd, someone exceptional. The humor lies in the grandiosity of the comparison, elevating the person to near-mythical status.

“Судың да сұрауы бар” (Sudıñ da surauy bar)

Literally, this means “Even water has its price.” It describes the idea that everything has a cost or consequence. The humor is subtle, lying in the seemingly innocuous nature of water, which one might assume to be free and without consequence.

“Жел соқпаса, шөптің басы қимылдамайды” (Jel soqmasa, şöptiñ bası qıymıldamaydı)

This phrase translates to “If the wind doesn’t blow, the grass doesn’t move.” It is used to suggest that there is always a reason behind every action or event. The humor comes from the simplicity and obviousness of the statement, which nonetheless conveys a deeper truth.

Expressions Involving Wisdom and Folly

Kazakh language is rich with expressions that comment on wisdom and folly. These idioms often use humor to illustrate the fine line between being wise and being foolish.

“Ат баспаймын деген жерін үш басады” (At baspaymyn degén jerin üş basady)

This expression means “The horse steps three times on the place it swore it wouldn’t step.” It describes someone who ends up doing exactly what they said they wouldn’t. The humor lies in the inevitability of the situation, highlighting human folly.

“Екі аяқтыда бажа тату, төрт аяқтыда бота тату” (Eki ayaqtıda baja tatu, tört ayaqtıda bota tatu)

Literally, this means “Among two-legged creatures, brothers-in-law are close; among four-legged creatures, calves are close.” It describes the natural tendency for certain relationships to be harmonious. The humor is in the comparison between human relationships and those of animals, drawing a parallel that is both insightful and amusing.

“Ақыл кірмеген кісіге сөздің құны жоқ” (Aqıl kirmegen kisige sözdiñ quny joq)

This translates to “To a person without wisdom, words are worthless.” It suggests that trying to reason with a fool is pointless. The humor is in the bluntness of the statement, which leaves little room for misinterpretation.

Conclusion

Exploring the figurative expressions of the Kazakh language offers a window into the culture, humor, and wisdom of the Kazakh people. These idioms are not just linguistic curiosities; they are reflections of the values, history, and everyday experiences of the community. Whether you are a language enthusiast or someone looking to deepen your understanding of Kazakh, these expressions provide a delightful way to engage with the language. So the next time you come across a funny or peculiar idiom, take a moment to appreciate the rich tapestry of meaning and culture it represents.