Keep a simple conversation going about the weather and your day.
How the language works
Kazakh normally has no separate present-tense “is” between a subject and its description: Bügın kün jyly — “It is warm today”. Joq negates existence; emes negates a quality or category: kün suyq emes — “it is not cold”.
Useful phrases
Read, recall the meaning and say it aloud. Then compare with the audio.
Bügın kün jyly.
It is warm today.
Dalada jel bar.
It is windy outside.
Qazır jañbyr jauyp tūr.
It is raining now.
Erteñ aua raiy qandai bolady?
What will the weather be like tomorrow?
Men jūmysqa baramyn.
I am going to work.
Künıñız jaqsy ötsın!
Have a nice day!
Dialogue
Sälemetsız be! Bügın kün jyly.
Hello! It is warm today.
İä, bıraq dalada jel bar.
Yes, but it is windy outside.
Jūmysqa barasyz ba?
Are you going to work?
İä. Künıñız jaqsy ötsın!
Yes. Have a nice day!
Check your understanding
Choose an answer before opening the explanation. Then explain your choice.
1. Choose the correct translation: “Bügın kün jyly.”
- It is raining now.
- Have a nice day!
- It is windy outside.
- It is warm today.
Answer and explanation
It is warm today.
Bügın kün jyly. — It is warm today.
2. How do you say: “What will the weather be like tomorrow?”?
- Dalada jel bar.
- Men jūmysqa baramyn.
- Künıñız jaqsy ötsın!
- Erteñ aua raiy qandai bolady?
Answer and explanation
Erteñ aua raiy qandai bolady?
Erteñ aua raiy qandai bolady? — What will the weather be like tomorrow?
3. How do you say “It is not cold today”?
- Bügın jañbyr jauyp tūr.
- Bügın jel bar.
- Bügın kün suyq emes.
- Bügın kün suyq.
Answer and explanation
Bügın kün suyq emes.
Emes negates the quality suyq: suyq emes — “not cold”.
Make it your own
Start a short conversation with a neighbour: mention the weather, your plans for the day and a good wish.
- I described the weather
- I mentioned my next activity
- I wished them a nice day
Example response
Sälemetsız be! Bügın kün jyly. Men jūmysqa baramyn. Künıñız jaqsy ötsın!