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Khegay Sabaqtary

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A2 · Signing up for swimming

Choose a class that fits your experience and schedule.

How the language works

Bastauşy means “beginner”; bastauşylar toby means “a beginners’ group”. For ability, use jüze alamyn — “I can swim”. Älı jaqsy jüze almaimyn means “I cannot swim well yet”. Aptasyna ekı ret means “twice a week”.

Useful phrases

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

Bastauşylarğa arnalğan top bar ma?

Is there a group for beginners?

Men älı jaqsy jüze almaimyn.

I cannot swim well yet.

Aptasyna ekı ret kelgım keledı.

I would like to come twice a week.

Keşkı sabaqqa jazyluğa bola ma?

Can I sign up for an evening class?

Özımmen bırge ne alyp keluım kerek?

What do I need to bring with me?

Bırınşı sabaqta ne ısteimız?

What will we do in the first lesson?

Dialogue

Customer

Bastauşylarğa arnalğan top bar ma?

Is there a group for beginners?

Coach

İä. Būryn jüzumen ainalystyñyz ba?

Yes. Have you done swimming before?

Customer

Joq, men älı jaqsy jüze almaimyn.

No, I cannot swim well yet.

Coach

Onda aldymen bastapqy toptyñ kestesın qaraiyq.

Then let’s first look at the beginners’ group schedule.

Check your understanding

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

1. Choose the correct translation: “Bastauşylarğa arnalğan top bar ma?”

  1. I would like to come twice a week.
  2. Is there a group for beginners?
  3. I cannot swim well yet.
  4. What will we do in the first lesson?
Answer and explanation

Is there a group for beginners?

Bastauşylarğa arnalğan top bar ma? — Is there a group for beginners?

2. How do you say: “Can I sign up for an evening class?”?

  1. Men älı jaqsy jüze almaimyn.
  2. Keşkı sabaqqa jazyluğa bola ma?
  3. Özımmen bırge ne alyp keluım kerek?
  4. Bırınşı sabaqta ne ısteimız?
Answer and explanation

Keşkı sabaqqa jazyluğa bola ma?

Keşkı sabaqqa jazyluğa bola ma? — Can I sign up for an evening class?

3. What does aptasyna ekı ret mean?

  1. In two weeks
  2. Two weeks ago
  3. Twice a week
  4. Every two hours
Answer and explanation

Twice a week

Aptasyna expresses frequency per week; ekı ret means “twice”.

Make it your own

Sign up for a swimming group: explain your level, preferred frequency and time, and ask what to bring.

  • I described my experience
  • I chose a frequency and time
  • I asked how to prepare
Example response

Bastauşylarğa arnalğan top bar ma? Men älı jaqsy jüze almaimyn. Aptasyna ekı ret kelgım keledı. Keşkı sabaqqa jazyluğa bola ma? Özımmen bırge ne alyp keluım kerek?