Greetings

1. Salam

   Hello

   Usage

   Universal greeting usable at any time of day

   Grammar Note

   Borrowed from Arabic "salaam" (peace). Azerbaijani is a Turkic language with SOV word order.

2. Sabahınız xeyir

   Good morning

   Usage

   Formal morning greeting. "-ınız" is a polite suffix

   Grammar Note

   "Sabah" (morning) + polite possessive suffix "-ınız" + "xeyir" (good). Azerbaijani uses agglutination and vowel harmony.

3. Axşamınız xeyir

   Good evening

   Usage

   Formal evening greeting used from dusk onward

   Grammar Note

   "Axşam" (evening) + possessive polite suffix + "xeyir" (good). Parallel structure to the morning greeting.

4. Necəsiniz?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Polite inquiry about someone's wellbeing

   Grammar Note

   "Necə" (how) + verb suffix "-siniz" (you are, formal). Azerbaijani marks person, number, and formality through verb suffixes.

5. Yaxşıyam, sağ ol

   I'm fine, thank you

   Usage

   Used as a reply to "how are you?"

   Grammar Note

   "Yaxşı" (good/fine) + "yam" (I am). "Sağ ol" means "be well/healthy" and expresses thanks informally; formal form is "sağ olun".

6. Xoş gördük

   Nice to meet you

   Usage

   Used when meeting someone for the first time

   Grammar Note

   Literally "we met pleasantly". Uses past tense "gördük" (we saw/met). Azerbaijani often uses first-person plural to include both parties.

7. Adınız nədir?

   What is your name?

   Usage

   Polite way to ask someone's name

   Grammar Note

   "Ad" (name) + polite possessive suffix "-ınız" + "nədir" (what is). Azerbaijani questions use question words without changing word order.

8. Mənim adım ...

   My name is ...

   Usage

   Used when introducing yourself

   Grammar Note

   "Mənim" (my) + "ad" (name) + "-ım" (first-person possessive suffix). Put your own name in place of "...". The copula "-dır" may follow the name but is not required.

9. Görüşənədək

   Goodbye / See you later

   Usage

   Farewell greeting, implies meeting again

   Grammar Note

   Literally "until we meet (again)". Multiple suffixes stacked on root "görüş" (meet/see) illustrate Azerbaijani agglutination.

10. Bağışlayın

    Excuse me / I'm sorry

    Usage

    Used to address someone or to apologize

    Grammar Note

    "Bağışla" (forgive) + polite imperative suffix "-yın". Azerbaijani imperative adjusts formality through suffixes.

11. Buyurun

    Please / Welcome / Here you go

    Usage

    Multipurpose polite word: inviting, offering something, or answering "yes"

    Grammar Note

    The imperative of the verb "buyurmaq": "buyur-" (to bid, to invite someone to go ahead) + "-un" (polite imperative). Versatile politeness word used for inviting, offering, and affirming.

12. Xoş gəlmisiniz

    Welcome

    Usage

    Used to welcome guests or visitors; common in hotels and shops

    Grammar Note

    Literally "you have come pleasantly". Uses the perfect tense "gəlmisiniz" (you have come, formal). Using the perfect tense for welcomes is customary in Azerbaijani.

13. Yenə gələcəyəm

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop

14. Çox xoş vaxt keçirdim

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Used when saying goodbye

15. Sağ olun, görüşərik!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A polite way to say thanks and goodbye

16. Gecəniz xeyrə qalsın

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to bed, e.g. at a guesthouse or homestay; literally "may your night turn to good"

17. Mən gedirəm

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Casual phrase said when leaving the house

18. Evə qayıtdım

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to the house/guesthouse

19. Bağışlayın, getməliyəm

    Excuse me, I need to get going

    Usage

    Polite way to excuse yourself when leaving before others

20. Dəyməz

    You're welcome

    Usage

    Standard response to "Sağ olun" (thank you); literally "it's not worth (mentioning)"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages