Describe a household problem and arrange a repair visit.
How the language works
An action or state happening now is often expressed by a form in -yp/-ıp/-p with tūr/otyr/jatyr/jür: ağyp tūr — “is flowing/leaking”. To negate a current action, use forms such as ıstemei tūr — “is not working”. Kömektese alasyz ba? is a polite request for help.
Useful phrases
Read, recall the meaning and say it aloud. Then compare with the audio.
Asüidegı krannan su ağyp tūr.
Water is running from the kitchen tap.
Üide ystyq su joq.
There is no hot water at home.
İnternet ıstemei tūr.
The internet is not working.
Şeberdı şaqyra alasyz ba?
Can you call a repair technician?
Men sağat besten keiın üide bolamyn.
I will be home after five o’clock.
Mekenjaiymdy habarlamamen jıberemın.
I will send my address in a message.
Dialogue
Sälemetsız be! Asüidegı krannan su ağyp tūr.
Hello! Water is running from the kitchen tap.
Bügın üide bolasyz ba?
Will you be home today?
Sağat besten keiın üide bolamyn.
I will be home after five.
Jaqsy, mekenjaiyñyzdy jıberıñızşı.
All right, please send your address.
Check your understanding
Choose an answer before opening the explanation. Then explain your choice.
1. Choose the correct translation: “Asüidegı krannan su ağyp tūr.”
- There is no hot water at home.
- I will send my address in a message.
- Water is running from the kitchen tap.
- The internet is not working.
Answer and explanation
Water is running from the kitchen tap.
Asüidegı krannan su ağyp tūr. — Water is running from the kitchen tap.
2. How do you say: “Can you call a repair technician?”?
- Mekenjaiymdy habarlamamen jıberemın.
- Üide ystyq su joq.
- Şeberdı şaqyra alasyz ba?
- Men sağat besten keiın üide bolamyn.
Answer and explanation
Şeberdı şaqyra alasyz ba?
Şeberdı şaqyra alasyz ba? — Can you call a repair technician?
3. What does besten keiın mean?
- After five
- Five times
- Before five
- At exactly five
Answer and explanation
After five
Keiın takes the ablative case here: bes → besten, “after five”.
Make it your own
Call a repair technician: describe the problem, suggest a time and offer to send your address.
- I described what is happening now
- I suggested a time
- I clarified the address
Example response
Sälemetsız be! Asüidegı krannan su ağyp tūr. Bügın kele alasyz ba? Men sağat besten keiın üide bolamyn. Mekenjaiymdy habarlamamen jıberemın.