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Khegay Sabaqtary

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A1 · When you do not understand

Ask someone to speak more slowly and continue the conversation in Kazakh.

Practise this lessonDictionary A1

How the language works

The question particles ma/me, ba/be and pa/pe are written separately. In Qaitalai alasyz ba? the construction -a/-e/-i alu expresses ability: “Can you repeat that?” For now, learn these requests as whole phrases.

Useful phrases

Read, recall the meaning and say it aloud. Then compare with the audio.

Keşırıñız, men tüsınbedım.

Sorry, I did not understand.

Qaitalai alasyz ba?

Can you repeat that?

Baiauyraq söileñızşı.

Please speak more slowly.

Būl söz nenı bıldıredı?

What does this word mean?

Men qazaqşa üirenıp jürmın.

I am learning Kazakh.

Qazaqşa söileseiıkşı.

Let’s speak Kazakh.

Dialogue

Staff member

Sızge ne kerek?

What do you need?

Learner

Keşırıñız, men tüsınbedım. Qaitalai alasyz ba?

Sorry, I did not understand. Can you repeat that?

Staff member

Ärine. Sızge ne kerek?

Of course. What do you need?

Learner

Mağan su kerek. Raqmet!

I need water. Thank you!

Check your understanding

Choose an answer before opening the explanation. Then explain your choice.

1. Choose the correct translation: “Keşırıñız, men tüsınbedım.”

  1. Please speak more slowly.
  2. Sorry, I did not understand.
  3. Let’s speak Kazakh.
  4. Can you repeat that?
Answer and explanation

Sorry, I did not understand.

Keşırıñız, men tüsınbedım. — Sorry, I did not understand.

2. How do you say: “What does this word mean?”?

  1. Qazaqşa söileseiıkşı.
  2. Qaitalai alasyz ba?
  3. Men qazaqşa üirenıp jürmın.
  4. Būl söz nenı bıldıredı?
Answer and explanation

Būl söz nenı bıldıredı?

Būl söz nenı bıldıredı? — What does this word mean?

3. Choose the polite request to speak more slowly.

  1. Menıñ atym — Aidana.
  2. Sau bolyñyz!
  3. Baiauyraq söileñızşı.
  4. Men tüsındım.
Answer and explanation

Baiauyraq söileñızşı.

Söileñızşı is a polite request; baiauyraq means “more slowly”.

Make it your own

Ask the speaker to repeat and explain an unfamiliar word before switching back to English.

  • I said I am learning Kazakh
  • I asked them to repeat
  • I asked what a word means
Example response

Keşırıñız, men qazaqşa üirenıp jürmın. Baiauyraq söileñızşı. Qaitalai alasyz ba? Būl söz nenı bıldıredı?