Compliments

1. Türkmenistan ajaýyp ýurt

   Türk-me-nis-tan a-ja-ýyp ýurt

   Turkmenistan is a wonderful country

   Usage

   Sharing your impression of Turkmenistan with a local

   Grammar Note

   "Ýurt" means both "homeland/country" and "yurt (tent)" in Turkic. The Turkmen "ý" represents the /j/ sound

2. Derweze gazy kratery haýran galdyryjy

   Der-we-ze ga-zy kra-te-ry haý-ran gal-dy-ry-jy

   The Darvaza gas crater (Door to Hell) is astonishing

   Usage

   Expressing amazement after visiting the Darvaza gas crater

   Grammar Note

   The "Door to Hell" has been burning since 1971 — a 69m-wide, 30m-deep gas crater. A surreal sight in the middle of the Karakum desert

3. Türkmen halylary gaty owadan

   Türk-men ha-ly-la-ry ga-ty o-wa-dan

   Turkmen carpets are very beautiful

   Usage

   Praising Turkmen traditional hand-woven carpets

   Grammar Note

   Turkmen carpets are UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Five carpet guls (motifs) appear on the Turkmenistan flag — a national symbol

4. Türkmen halky gaty myhmansöýer

   Türk-men hal-ky ga-ty myh-man-sö-ýer

   Turkmen people are very hospitable

   Usage

   Expressing appreciation for Turkmen hospitality

   Grammar Note

   "Myhman" (guest) + "söýer" (loves) = "guest-loving". Guest hospitality is a core cultural value across Turkic cultures

5. Palaw gaty tagamly

   Pa-law ga-ty ta-gam-ly

   Plov (pilaf) is very delicious

   Usage

   Complimenting plov (rice pilaf) after eating it — a Central Asian staple

   Grammar Note

   Palaw is the national dish of Central Asia — lamb, onions, carrots and rice cooked together, and essential at celebrations. Note the spelling is palaw, not palow

6. Ahalteke atlary haýranlaşdyryjy

   A-hal-te-ke at-la-ry haý-ran-laş-dy-ry-jy

   Akhal-Teke horses are magnificent

   Usage

   Praising Akhal-Teke horses — Turkmenistan's national treasure

   Grammar Note

   Akhal-Teke horses are Turkmenistan's national symbol, famed for their metallic golden coat. They appear on the national emblem

7. Aşgabadyň ak mermer binalary ajaýyp

   Aş-ga-ba-dyň ak mer-mer bi-na-la-ry a-ja-ýyp

   The white marble buildings of Ashgabat are magnificent

   Usage

   Praising Ashgabat's distinctive white marble architecture

   Grammar Note

   Ashgabat holds a Guinness World Record for most white marble buildings. Buildings are legally required to use white marble exteriors

8. Garagum çöli özüne çekiji

   Ga-ra-gum çö-li ö-zü-ne çe-ki-ji

   The Karakum Desert is fascinating

   Usage

   Expressing fascination with the Karakum Desert landscape

   Grammar Note

   Karakum Desert covers 80% of Turkmenistan. "Gara" (black) + "gum" (sand). The Darvaza crater is located within it

9. Türkmen myhmansöýerligi meşhur

   Türk-men myh-man-sö-ýer-li-gi meş-hur

   Turkmen hospitality is renowned

   Usage

   Praising Turkmenistan's cultural tradition of hospitality

   Grammar Note

   "Meşhur" comes from Arabic "mashhūr" (famous). Turkmen has many Arabic and Persian loanwords

10. Siz türkmençäni gowy bilýärsiňiz

    Siz türk-men-çä-ni go-wy bil-ýär-si-ňiz

    You know Turkmen well

    Usage

    Complimenting a foreigner's Turkmen language skills

    Grammar Note

    "Türkmen" + "-çe" (language suffix) = "Turkmen language". After independence, Turkmen replaced Russian as the official language

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