Basic Nouns

1. Suw

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for drinking water; works with pointing

   Grammar Note

   Turkmen has no gender. Case is marked by suffixes: suw → suwy (accusative), suwda (locative).

2. Iýmit

   Food

   Usage

   The general word when you are looking for something to eat

   Grammar Note

   "iýmit" is food in general; a cooked meal or dish is "nahar".

3. Pul

   Money

   Usage

   Comes up when paying or changing currency

4. Hajathana

   Toilet

   Usage

   The word alone is enough to ask for directions

   Grammar Note

   The suffix "-hana" comes from Persian and forms "place of" nouns (çaýhana = teahouse).

5. Kagyz elýaglyk

   Tissue

   Usage

   For asking at a shop or a diner

   Grammar Note

   Literally "paper handkerchief"; the Russian loan "salfetka" is also widely understood.

6. Derman

   Medicine

   Usage

   The core word at a pharmacy, paired with your symptom

   Grammar Note

   A pharmacy is "derman dükany", literally the medicine shop.

7. Goş

   Luggage

   Usage

   For checking in, picking up, or storing bags

   Grammar Note

   "goş" is a traveller's baggage; freight or cargo is "ýük".

8. Açar

   Key

   Usage

   For collecting or returning it at hotel reception

   Grammar Note

   Formed from the verb "aç-" (to open); literally "the opener".

9. Bilet

   Ticket

   Usage

   The base word for transport and admission tickets

10. Pasport

    Passport

    Usage

    Comes up at every check-in and border control

11. Telefon

    Phone

    Usage

    Refers to the device and to making a call

    Grammar Note

    A mobile phone is "öýjükli telefon".

12. Zarýad beriji

    Charger

    Usage

    When you want to borrow one at a hotel or café

    Grammar Note

    Literally "charge giver"; the suffix "-ji" forms agent nouns.

13. Wokzal

    Station

    Usage

    The easiest landmark to name when asking directions

    Grammar Note

    Everyday speech uses the Russian loan "wokzal"; the formal term is "demir ýol menzili". A bus stop is "duralga".

14. Hassahana

    Hospital

    Usage

    The first word you need if you fall ill

    Grammar Note

    "hassa" (sick person) plus "-hana" (place); "keselhana" is an equally common synonym.

15. Polisiýa

    Police

    Usage

    For theft or accidents; the word alone gets help

16. Dükan

    Shop

    Usage

    The general word when hunting for somewhere to buy things

    Grammar Note

    An open market is "bazar"; "dükan" is an indoor shop.

17. Otag

    Room

    Usage

    For negotiating a stay or confirming a room number

18. Ýol

    Road

    Usage

    Used when asking directions, often over a map

    Grammar Note

    "ýol" covers both a road and a journey; "Ak ýol!" is the set phrase for "have a good trip".

19. Maşgala

    Family

    Usage

    Comes up in small talk about who you are travelling with

20. At

    Name

    Usage

    For confirming a booking or introducing yourself

    Grammar Note

    "at" means both name and horse; in practice it appears with a possessive suffix (Adyňyz näme? = what is your name?).

21. Baş

    Head

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts; the same word also means head/chief

22. Göz

    Eye

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

23. Diş

    Tooth

    Usage

    Shows where it hurts at a dentist or pharmacy

24. Bokurdak

    Throat

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

25. Garyn

    Stomach (belly)

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

26. Arka

    Back

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

27. Bil

    Lower back (waist)

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

28. Aýak

    Leg

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts; Turkmen uses one word for leg and foot

29. El

    Hand

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

30. Döş

    Chest

    Usage

    For chest pain or tightness; refers to the front of the torso

31. Gulak

    Ear

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

32. Boýun

    Neck

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

33. Egin

    Shoulder

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

34. Dyz

    Knee

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

35. Barmak

    Finger

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

36. Deri

    Skin

    Usage

    For rashes, itching, or burns

37. Burun

    Nose

    Usage

    Point at it to show where it hurts

38. Myhmanhana

    Hotel

    Usage

    Point at it to show a driver where you are going

39. Howa menzili

    Airport

    Usage

    Point at it to show a driver where you are going

40. Awtobus duralgasy

    Bus stop

    Usage

    Point at it when asking where one is

41. Ilçihana

    Embassy

    Usage

    For getting there after losing a passport

42. Bankomat

    ATM

    Usage

    Point at it when asking where one is

43. Walýuta çalşygy

    Currency exchange

    Usage

    Point at it when asking where one is

44. Dermanhana

    Pharmacy

    Usage

    The word alone is enough to ask where one is

45. Konsullyk edarasy

    Consulate

    Usage

    For finding your own consulate after losing a passport or becoming a victim of crime; Turkmenistan's own passport rules use this term. An embassy is "ilçihana"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages