Aşgabat
Aş-ga-bat
Ashgabat (capital city)
Usage
Capital of Turkmenistan. The "White City" famous for white marble buildings and golden statues
Grammar Note
Ashgabat holds a Guinness record for "the most white marble-clad buildings in the world."
Derweze
Der-we-ze
Darvaza (the Door to Hell)
Usage
Natural gas crater in the Karakum Desert, burning for 50+ years since 1971 — one of the world's most unique sights
Grammar Note
Darvaza crater is ~70m wide and ~30m deep. It has burned continuously after a Soviet drilling accident in 1971.
Merw
Merv (ancient Silk Road city)
Usage
UNESCO World Heritage site in Mary Province. One of the great Silk Road cities
Grammar Note
Merv was once one of the world's largest cities, among the most populous in the 12th century before being destroyed by the Mongols in 1221.
Türkmenbaşy şäheri
Türk-men-ba-şy şä-he-ri
Türkmenbaşy city (formerly Krasnovodsk)
Usage
Port city on the Caspian Sea coast. Gateway to the Avaza resort area
Grammar Note
"Şäher" (city) + possessive "-i." The largest port city in Turkmenistan, departure point for Caspian Sea ferries.
Awaza
A-wa-za
Avaza (Caspian Sea resort)
Usage
National tourist resort on the Caspian Sea coast with white sand beaches and resort hotels
Grammar Note
Avaza is a state-developed resort project. Multiple hotels were constructed along white sand beaches on the Caspian Sea.
Daşoguz
Da-şo-guz
Dasoguz (northern city)
Usage
Major city in northern Turkmenistan. Base for visiting the ancient ruins of Köneürgenç
Grammar Note
Formerly known as "Daşhowuz." Located near the Uzbekistan border; Uzbek is also widely spoken here.
Köneürgenç
Kö-ne-ür-genç
Köneürgenç (UNESCO World Heritage site)
Usage
Former capital of the medieval Khorezm Sultanate. UNESCO World Heritage site with minarets and mausoleums
Grammar Note
"Köne" (old) + "Ürgenç" = "Old Urgench." The 60m Kutlug-Timur minaret from the 11th century still stands.
Garagum çöli
Ga-ra-gum çö-li
Karakum Desert
Usage
Vast desert covering ~90% of Turkmenistan's territory
Grammar Note
"Gara" (black) + "gum" (sand). One of the world's driest regions. The 1,300km Karakum Canal crosses it.
Hazar deňzi
Ha-zar deň-zi
Caspian Sea
Usage
World's largest inland body of water, forming Turkmenistan's western border
Grammar Note
"Deňiz" (sea) + possessive "-i." The Avaza resort is on this sea's coast. Turkmen calls the Caspian 'Hazar.'
Nusaý
Nu-saý
Nisa (Parthian capital, UNESCO World Heritage)
Usage
Ruins of the Parthian Empire near Ashgabat, UNESCO World Heritage site
Grammar Note
Nisa is ~18km west of Ashgabat. UNESCO World Heritage site with ruins of the Parthian royal palace from the 3rd century BC to 3rd century AD.
Änew
Ä-new
Anew (historic city)
Usage
Ancient city near Ashgabat with a 15th-century mosque from the Timurid era
Grammar Note
Anew is ~18km east of Ashgabat. Archaeological excavations have uncovered traces of civilization dating back over 5,000 years.
Ahal welaýaty
A-hal we-la-ýa-ty
Ahal Province
Usage
South-central province surrounding the capital, with its seat at Anew; it runs along the Kopetdag range and the Iranian border
Balkan welaýaty
Bal-kan we-la-ýa-ty
Balkan Province
Usage
Western province on the Caspian, capital Balkanabat; it contains the port of Türkmenbaşy, the Avaza resort and Yangykala canyon
Daşoguz welaýaty
Da-şo-guz we-la-ýa-ty
Dasoguz Province
Usage
Northern province on the Uzbek border, capital Dasoguz, containing the World Heritage site of Köneürgenç
Lebap welaýaty
Le-bap we-la-ýa-ty
Lebap Province
Usage
Eastern province along the Amu Darya, capital Türkmenabat, bordering Uzbekistan and taking in the Köýtendag mountains
Mary welaýaty
Ma-ry we-la-ýa-ty
Mary Province
Usage
Southeastern province, capital Mary, holding the Merv World Heritage site and the country's gas fields, bordering Afghanistan to the south
Mary
Ma-ry
Usage
Capital of Mary Province and centre of the gas industry; the base for visiting the ruins of Merv
Türkmenabat
Türk-me-na-bat
Usage
Capital of Lebap Province on the west bank of the Amu Darya, and the gateway towards Bukhara in Uzbekistan
Balkanabat
Bal-ka-na-bat
Usage
Capital of Balkan Province, an oil town used as the staging point for Yangykala canyon and the Dehistan ruins
Baýramaly
Baý-ra-ma-ly
Bayramaly
Usage
Town about 30 km east of Mary; the Merv World Heritage site lies between the two and is closest to here
Tejen
Te-jen
Usage
Ahal Province town where the branch line towards the Iranian border at Sarahs leaves the main railway
Bereket
Be-re-ket
Usage
Railway junction in Balkan Province where the east-west Trans-Caspian line meets the north-south line linking Kazakhstan and Iran; formerly Gazanjyk
Kerki
Ker-ki
Usage
Town on the Amu Darya in southern Lebap with an international airport; it was called Atamyrat from 1999 but the name Kerki is in use again
Serhetabat
Ser-he-ta-bat
Usage
Southernmost town of Turkmenistan in Mary Province, a railhead facing Torghundi on the Afghan border; formerly Gushgy (Kushka)
Sarahs
Sa-rahs
Usage
Border town in Ahal Province with a rail and road crossing to Sarakhs in Iran, on the way to Mashhad
Farap
Fa-rap
Usage
Town on the east bank of the Amu Darya opposite Türkmenabat; the main land crossing to Alat in Uzbekistan on the way to Bukhara
Gökdepe
Gök-de-pe
Usage
About 45 km northwest of Ashgabat, site of the 1881 battle against the Russian army, with the fortress remains and a memorial mosque
Magtymguly şäheri
Mag-tym-gu-ly şä-he-ri
Magtymguly (town)
Usage
Town in the Sumbar valley of southern Balkan Province, named after the poet Magtymguly; formerly Garrygala (Kara-Kala)
Hazar şäheri
Ha-zar şä-he-ri
Hazar (formerly Cheleken)
Usage
Oil town on the Cheleken peninsula on the Caspian, south of Türkmenbaşy; formerly named Cheleken
Garabogaz şäheri
Ga-ra-bo-gaz şä-he-ri
Garabogaz (formerly Bekdash)
Usage
Town at the northwestern corner of the Turkmen Caspian coast, on the road to the Kazakh border; formerly Bekdash
Esenguly
E-sen-gu-ly
Usage
Fishing town at the southern end of the Turkmen Caspian coast near the Iranian border, a birdwatching area but inside a permit-only border zone; formerly Gasan-Kuli
Gypjak
Gyp-jak
Usage
Village just west of Ashgabat, birthplace of the first president Niyazov, site of the huge Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque and his mausoleum
Ýerbent
Ýer-bent
Yerbent
Usage
Karakum desert village about 160 km north of Ashgabat, the usual stop on the road to the Darvaza gas crater
Nohur
No-hur
Usage
Mountain village in the Kopetdag known for its cemetery where goat horns are mounted on the graves, and for customs unlike the surrounding region
Aşgabat halkara howa menzili
Aş-ga-bat hal-ka-ra ho-wa men-zi-li
Ashgabat International Airport
Usage
The country's main airport and the arrival point for nearly all international flights (code ASB). Independent travel in Turkmenistan is heavily restricted: most visitors need a letter of invitation arranged by a tour agency and must be accompanied by a guide, and transit visas are issued in limited numbers
Türkmenbaşy halkara howa menzili
Türk-men-ba-şy hal-ka-ra ho-wa men-zi-li
Türkmenbaşy International Airport
Usage
Airport serving the Caspian port city of Türkmenbaşy (code KRW), closest to the Avaza resort and the sea port
Türkmenabat halkara howa menzili
Türk-me-na-bat hal-ka-ra ho-wa men-zi-li
Türkmenabat International Airport
Usage
Airport for Lebap Province in the east (code CRZ), mainly served by domestic flights from Ashgabat and the way in towards the Uzbek border
Mary halkara howa menzili
Ma-ry hal-ka-ra ho-wa men-zi-li
Mary International Airport
Usage
Airport for Mary Province (code MYP); flying here from Ashgabat is the quickest way to reach the Merv World Heritage site
Daşoguz halkara howa menzili
Da-şo-guz hal-ka-ra ho-wa men-zi-li
Dasoguz International Airport
Usage
Airport for Dasoguz Province in the north (code TAZ), the nearest airport to the Köneürgenç World Heritage site
Kerki halkara howa menzili
Ker-ki hal-ka-ra ho-wa men-zi-li
Kerki International Airport
Usage
Airport at Kerki in southern Lebap Province, opened in 2021, the domestic gateway towards the Köýtendag mountains
Türkmenbaşy halkara deňiz porty
Türk-men-ba-şy hal-ka-ra de-ňiz por-ty
Türkmenbaşy International Sea Port
Usage
The country's main Caspian port. Ferries leave for Alat near Baku in Azerbaijan, but there is no reliable timetable — departures follow the cargo
Aşgabat demir ýol menzili
Aş-ga-bat de-mir ýol men-zi-li
Ashgabat railway station
Usage
Central station of the capital on the Trans-Caspian railway, with overnight trains towards Türkmenbaşy and towards Mary and Türkmenabat
Mary demir ýol menzili
Ma-ry de-mir ýol men-zi-li
Mary railway station
Usage
Main station on the Trans-Caspian line; for the Merv ruins continue from here towards Bayramaly
Türkmenabat demir ýol menzili
Türk-me-na-bat de-mir ýol men-zi-li
Türkmenabat railway station
Usage
Main station in the east, on the west side of the Amu Darya rail bridge and the starting point for the Farap border crossing
Daşoguz demir ýol menzili
Da-şo-guz de-mir ýol men-zi-li
Dasoguz railway station
Usage
Main station in the north, at the far end of the line crossing the desert from Türkmenabat, also served by overnight trains from Ashgabat
Türkmenbaşy demir ýol menzili
Türk-men-ba-şy de-mir ýol men-zi-li
Türkmenbaşy railway station
Usage
Western terminus of the Trans-Caspian railway, close to the port and ferry berth, reached by the overnight train from Ashgabat
Balkanabat demir ýol menzili
Bal-ka-na-bat de-mir ýol men-zi-li
Balkanabat railway station
Usage
Station in the capital of Balkan Province, a stop on trains between Ashgabat and Türkmenbaşy
Bereket demir ýol menzili
Be-re-ket de-mir ýol men-zi-li
Bereket railway station
Usage
Junction station where the Trans-Caspian line crosses the north-south railway linking Kazakhstan with Iran
Tejen demir ýol menzili
Te-jen de-mir ýol men-zi-li
Tejen railway station
Usage
Station where the branch to the Iranian border at Sarahs leaves the main line, heading south towards Mashhad
Türkmenbaşy Ruhy metjidi
Türk-men-ba-şy Ru-hy met-ji-di
Türkmenbaşy Ruhy Mosque
Usage
Huge mosque in Gypjak village west of Ashgabat, completed in 2004 and among the largest in Central Asia; the mausoleum of the first president's family stands beside it
Garaşsyzlyk binasy
Ga-raş-syz-lyk bi-na-sy
Independence Monument
Usage
Monument in Independence Park in southern Ashgabat, its base shaped like a nomad tent roof and ringed by gilded statues
Bitaraplyk binasy
Bi-ta-rap-lyk bi-na-sy
Monument of Neutrality
Usage
Tower topped by a gilded statue of the first president; originally in the city centre, it was moved to the southern outskirts in 2011 and has a viewing platform
Türkmenistanyň Döwlet muzeýi
Türk-me-nis-ta-nyň Döw-let mu-ze-ýi
State Museum of Turkmenistan
Usage
National museum in southern Ashgabat holding the country's principal finds, including the ivory rhytons excavated at Nisa
Türkmen halysynyň milli muzeýi
Türk-men ha-ly-sy-nyň mil-li mu-ze-ýi
Turkmen Carpet Museum
Usage
Museum in central Ashgabat devoted to carpets, showing the patterns of each tribe and one of the world's largest handwoven carpets
Ärtogrul Gazy metjidi
Är-tog-rul Ga-zy met-ji-di
Ertugrul Gazi Mosque
Usage
Ottoman-style mosque in Ashgabat modelled on the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, built with Turkish support
Älem medeni-dynç alyş merkezi
Ä-lem medeni-dynç a-lyş mer-ke-zi
Alem Cultural and Entertainment Centre
Usage
Ashgabat building containing a giant Ferris wheel, cited as one of the largest enclosed observation wheels in the world
Halk hakydasy ýadygärlikler toplumy
Halk ha-ky-da-sy ýa-dy-gär-lik-ler top-lu-my
Halk Hakydasy Memorial Complex
Usage
Memorial park on high ground in southern Ashgabat commemorating the victims of the 1948 earthquake and the war dead, overlooking the city
Ruhyýet köşgi
Ru-hy-ýet köş-gi
Ruhyyet Palace
Usage
White marble ceremonial palace in central Ashgabat used for state events and summits; visitors see the exterior only
Olimpiýa şäherçesi
O-lim-pi-ýa şä-her-çe-si
Olympic Village
Usage
Large sports complex in Ashgabat built for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, known for the stadium fronted by a horse's head
Gülüstan bazary
Gü-lüs-tan ba-za-ry
Gülüstan Bazaar (the "Russian Bazaar")
Usage
Covered market in central Ashgabat, universally called the "Russian Bazaar" locally — the name a taxi driver will recognise
Soltan Sanjaryň kümmeti
Sol-tan San-ja-ryň küm-me-ti
Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar
Usage
12th-century Seljuk mausoleum at the heart of the Merv ruins, its dome some 38 m high and visible from far across the plain
Gyzgala
Gyz-ga-la
Kyz Kala
Usage
Mudbrick keep in the Merv ruins with a distinctive corrugated wall; there is a greater and a lesser one, dated to the 6th-7th century
Gäwürgala
Gä-wür-ga-la
Gyaur Kala
Usage
One of the walled cities making up Merv, occupied from the Hellenistic to the Sasanian period, its square rampart still traceable
Erkgala
Erk-ga-la
Erk Kala
Usage
The oldest part of Merv, a pre-Christian-era ring of earthen ramparts; climbing it gives the overview of the whole site
Gonurdepe
Go-nur-de-pe
Gonur Depe
Usage
Bronze Age city in the desert north of Mary, regarded as the centre of ancient Margush (the Bactria-Margiana culture); realistically reached only by 4WD
Törebeg hanym kümmeti
Tö-re-beg ha-nym küm-me-ti
Turabek Khanum Mausoleum
Usage
14th-century mausoleum at Köneürgenç; the star-patterned mosaic covering the inside of its dome is the highlight of the site
Gutlug Timur minarasy
Gut-lug Ti-mur mi-na-ra-sy
Kutlug Timur Minaret
Usage
Brick minaret about 60 m high at Köneürgenç, among the tallest surviving ancient minarets in Central Asia
Nejmeddin Kubra kümmeti
Nej-med-din Kub-ra küm-me-ti
Najm ad-Din Kubra Mausoleum
Usage
Mausoleum of the founder of a Sufi order at Köneürgenç, one of the country's busiest pilgrimage sites
Il Arslan kümmeti
Il Ars-lan küm-me-ti
Il-Arslan Mausoleum
Usage
Small 12th-century mausoleum at Köneürgenç with a twelve-sided conical roof, among the oldest buildings on the site
Soltan Tekeş kümmeti
Sol-tan Te-keş küm-me-ti
Sultan Tekesh Mausoleum
Usage
Mausoleum of a Khwarazmshah sultan at Köneürgenç, recognisable by its conical turquoise-tiled roof
Köpetdag
Kö-pet-dag
Kopetdag mountains
Usage
Range rising immediately south of Ashgabat, its ridge forming the border with Iran; the foothills are a short drive from the capital
Ýangygala kanýony
Ýan-gy-ga-la kan-ýo-ny
Yangykala Canyon
Usage
Canyon of banded red and white rock in Balkan Province, some hours by 4WD from Türkmenbaşy; with no lodging or shops it is a day trip or a camp
Garabogaz aýlagy
Ga-ra-bo-gaz aý-la-gy
Garabogaz Gulf
Usage
Vast hypersaline lagoon joined to the Caspian by a narrow strait; the bridge over its mouth carries the road towards Kazakhstan
Köw ata ýerasty köli
Köw a-ta ýe-ras-ty kö-li
Kow Ata underground lake
Usage
Sulphur-spring lake inside a cave about 100 km west of Ashgabat, staying around 35°C all year and open for swimming
Köýtendag
Köý-ten-dag
Köýtendag mountains
Usage
Mountains at the far southeast of Lebap on the Uzbek border, with a rock slope of dinosaur footprints, caves and gorges
Aýrybaba
Aý-ry-ba-ba
Ayribaba
Usage
Highest peak in Turkmenistan (about 3,139 m), in the Köýtendag range; it sits on the border and climbing needs a permit
Repetek goraghanasy
Re-pe-tek go-rag-ha-na-sy
Repetek Nature Reserve
Usage
Desert reserve on the railway between Türkmenabat and Mary, with black saxaul woodland and dunes, long known for its extreme summer heat records
Bathyz goraghanasy
Bat-hyz go-rag-ha-na-sy
Badhyz Nature Reserve
Usage
Reserve in southern Mary Province near the Afghan border, home to wild onager; entry requires a permit
Amyderýa
A-my-der-ýa
Amu Darya
Usage
Central Asia's largest river, crossed by the bridge at Türkmenabat and the source of the water in the Karakum Canal
Murgap derýasy
Mur-gap der-ýa-sy
Murghab River
Usage
River flowing north from Afghanistan to water the Mary oasis; ancient Merv grew up on its delta
Garagum derýasy
Ga-ra-gum der-ýa-sy
Karakum Canal
Usage
Irrigation canal over 1,000 km long carrying Amu Darya water west across the desert, running alongside the highway through Mary, Tejen and Ashgabat
Sarygamyş köli
Sa-ry-ga-myş kö-li
Lake Sarygamysh
Usage
Salt lake straddling the Uzbek border northwest of Dasoguz, an empty spot for fishing and waterbirds reached only on unpaved tracks
Dehistan
De-his-tan
Usage
Ruined medieval city in the desert of southern Balkan Province, marked by two minarets and a mosque portal; also called Mashad-Misrian
Parawbibi
Pa-raw-bi-bi
Parau Bibi
Usage
White shrine set into a cliff face in Balkan Province, reached by a long stairway and visited above all by women pilgrims; near the town of Serdar (formerly Gyzylarbat)
Astanababa
As-ta-na-ba-ba
Astana Baba
Usage
Medieval mausoleum near Kerki in Lebap Province, still an active pilgrimage site, with its decorative brickwork preserved
More Turkmen phrases
- Basic Words
- Basic Nouns
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives
- Question Words
- Greetings
- Food & Drinks
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Numbers
- Hotel
- Emergency
- Sightseeing
- Flirting
- Nightlife
- Massage & Spa
- Compliments
- Contacts & SNS
- Beach & Activities
- Useful Phrases
- Airport & Customs
- Weather & Climate
- Pharmacy & Health
- Directions
- Money & Exchange
- Health & Hospital
- Internet & WiFi
- Nature & Outdoors
- Religion & Temples
- Café & Drinks
- Schedule & Booking
- Culture & Etiquette
- Traveling with Kids
- Sports & Activities
- Public Transport
- Accommodation
- Banking & ATM
- Visa & Immigration
- Business & Work
- School & Education
- Cooking & Markets
- Music & Entertainment
- Art & Museums
- Festivals & Events
- Photography
- Laundry
- Post Office
- Language Learning
- Dating & Romance
- Dating Apps
- Volunteering
- Accessibility
- Sustainability & Eco
- Fruits
- Colors
- Dietary & Allergies
- Markets & Souvenirs
- Wine & Spirits
- Car Rental & Driving
- Time & Dates
- Hiking & Trekking
- Diving & Water Sports
- Skiing & Winter Sports
- Hot Springs & Baths
- Yoga & Wellness
- Casino & Gambling
- Beauty & Grooming
- Remote Work
- Fashion & Clothing
- Convenience Store
- Martial Arts
- Signs
- Body Parts
- Animals
- Vehicles
- Electronics
- Feelings
- Slang
- Local Dishes
- Local Drinks
- Indulgences