Culture & Etiquette

1. Bu ýadygärlik haçan guruldy?

   Bu ýa-dy-gär-lik ha-çan gu-rul-dy?

   When was this monument built?

   Usage

   Ask when visiting historical buildings or monuments

   Grammar Note

   In Turkmen, the question word "haçan" (when) is placed mid-sentence. The past passive "guruldy" means "was built."

2. Bu milli geýim.

   Bu mil-li ge-ýim.

   This is national clothing.

   Usage

   When discussing traditional Turkmen attire

   Grammar Note

   In Turkmen, adjectives precede nouns. "Milli geýim" literally means "national clothing."

3. Sungat muzeýi nirede?

   Sun-gat mu-ze-ýi ni-re-de?

   Where is the art museum?

   Usage

   When asking for directions to an art museum while sightseeing

   Grammar Note

   "Nirede" is composed of "nire" (where) + the locative suffix "-de." A basic expression for asking locations.

4. Türkmen haly örän meşhur.

   Türk-men ha-ly ö-rän meş-hur.

   Turkmen carpets are very famous.

   Usage

   When discussing Turkmen handicrafts. Carpets are a national symbol.

   Grammar Note

   Turkmen adjectives can function as predicates, so a copula verb is often omitted in simple statements.

5. Bu baýramçylyk haçan?

   Bu baý-ram-çy-lyk ha-çan?

   When is this festival?

   Usage

   When asking about the schedule of a local festival or event

   Grammar Note

   "Baýram" means holiday/festival; the suffix "-çylyk" forms abstract nouns, giving the meaning "celebration."

6. Milli tans görmek isleýärin.

   Mil-li tans gör-mek is-le-ýä-rin.

   I would like to see traditional dance.

   Usage

   When expressing interest in watching a cultural performance

   Grammar Note

   "Isleýärin" is the first-person present form of "islemek" (to want). Verbs appear at the end of sentences in Turkmen.

7. Fotosurata düşürip bilerinmi?

   Fo-to-su-ra-ta dü-şü-rip bi-le-rin-mi?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   When asking permission to take photos at museums or religious sites

   Grammar Note

   "Bilerinmi" is the first-person (-in) interrogative form of "bilmek" (to be able to). Used for politely asking permission.

8. Bu ýeriň taryhy nähili?

   Bu ýe-riň ta-ry-hy nä-hi-li?

   What is the history of this place?

   Usage

   When asking a guide or local person about the history of a place

   Grammar Note

   The possessive suffix "-y" is attached to "taryh," giving "taryhy" (its history). Turkmen nouns have rich case inflections.

9. Geliň, bilelikde aýdym aýdalyň.

   Ge-liň, bi-le-lik-de aý-dym aý-da-lyň.

   Come, let's sing together.

   Usage

   When inviting someone to join in at a cultural music event

   Grammar Note

   "Aýdalyň" is the hortative form of "aýtmak" (to say/sing), meaning "let's sing." The ending "-lyň" marks the hortative.

10. Bu ýerde haýsy dil gepleşilýär?

    Bu ýer-de haý-sy dil gep-le-şil-ýär?

    What language is spoken here?

    Usage

    When curious about the local language situation

    Grammar Note

    "Gepleşilýär" is the present passive form meaning "is being spoken." Passive in Turkmen is formed with the suffix "-il/-yl."

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