Adjectives

1. Uly

   Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   Turkmen adjectives never agree; they simply precede the noun (uly otag).

2. Kiçi

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

3. Agyr

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

4. Ýeňil

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

   Grammar Note

   "ýeňil" is light in weight; bright is "ýagty", a separate word.

5. Gymmat

   Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

   Grammar Note

   "gymmat" is high in price; tall or high in height is "beýik".

6. Arzan

   Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

7. Gyzgyn

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "gyzgyn" is hot to the touch; hot weather is "yssy", a completely different word.

8. Sowuk

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

9. Täze

   New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

   Grammar Note

   Applied to food it means fresh: "täze çörek" is freshly baked bread.

10. Köne

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Use "köne" for things and "garry" for people; calling a person "köne" is rude.

11. Ýaş

    Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

    Grammar Note

    "ýaş" is both young and the noun age: "Näçe ýaşyňyz?" means how old are you.

12. Garry

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

    Grammar Note

    It can sound blunt to someone's face; the respectful term is "ýaşuly" (elder).

13. Arassa

    Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

    Grammar Note

    "arassa" means clean; beautiful is "owadan", a different word.

14. Hapa

    Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

15. Gowy

    Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

16. Erbet

    Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

    Grammar Note

    "Men özümi erbet duýýaryn" means I feel unwell.

17. Ýakyn

    Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

18. Uzak

    Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

    Grammar Note

    "uzak" covers far in distance and long in time; long in physical length is "uzyn".

19. Ir

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    "ir" is early in time; fast in speed is "çalt".

20. Giç

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    "giç" is late in time; slow in speed is "haýal".

21. Köp

    Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

    Grammar Note

    Used adverbially it also means "very much": "köp sag boluň" is thank you very much.

22. Az

    Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

23. Yssy

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Hot weather is "yssy"; hot food or water is "gyzgyn" — in Turkmen these are entirely separate words.

24. Howa sowuk

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Unlike hot, cold has no separate weather word: say "Howa sowuk" (the air is cold) to mean the climate.

25. Süýji

    Cute

    Usage

    Used broadly for people, objects, and animals; literally means "sweet"

26. Gözel

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly for praising the look of a person or thing

27. Tagamly

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment at a meal

28. Ajaýyp!

    Amazing

    Usage

    Used to express surprise or admiration

29. Gyzykly

    Fun

    Usage

    For reacting to an experience itself

Browse all TravelPhrases languages