Language/Northern-uzbek/Vocabulary/Idiomatic-Expressions
Hi Northern Uzbek learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn some common idiomatic expressions in Northern Uzbek that are useful in daily conversations. Mastering these expressions will improve your communication skills and make your speech sound more natural. So, let's get started!
Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: How to introduce yourself & Time.
Expressions with animals[edit | edit source]
Uzbeks use several animal names in idiomatic expressions. Here are a few examples:
| Northern Uzbek | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ko'k | /kʊk/ | blue (literally "sky-colored") |
| qo'rg'on | /kor.ɡʌn/ | mole (literally "hole maker") |
| qo'yni | /ko.jˈni/ | sheep (literally "woolly") |
| qo'qcha | /kʷʊq.ʧa/ | frog (a sound of splash) |
- Person 1: Bir kilo go'sht istasangiz, menga qo'qcha hisobidan bering. ("Give me one kilogram of meat but charge me for a frog.")
- Person 2: Qanday bo'lsa. ("Okay.")
In the above dialogue, Person 1 is asking for a discount by using a humorous idiom about a frog.
Expressions with numbers[edit | edit source]
Numbers are also commonly used in Northern Uzbek idiomatic expressions. Here are a few examples:
| Northern Uzbek | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| olti | /olti/ | six (literally "seven minus one") |
| yetti | /jetːi/ | seven (literally "six plus one") |
| to'qqiz | /to.ʔʲɪz/ | nine (literally "ten minus one") |
- Person 1: Menga tinchlik berishni xohlasangiz, yettiga chorak qo'yaman. ("If you want to give me peace, I'll charge you seven cups of tea.")
- Person 2: Aniqlikdan gapmasin! ("Sure, no problem!")
In the above dialogue, Person 1 is requesting tea in a humorous way, but in reality, they will not charge anything if the other person offers tea.
Expressions with body parts[edit | edit source]
Expressions involving body parts are often used to express emotions in Uzbek language. Here are a few examples:
| Northern Uzbek | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| qalb | /kalb/ | heart (a symbol of affection) |
| ko'z | /koz/ | eye (a symbol of admiration) |
| lab | /lab/ | lips (a symbol of love and kissing) |
- Person 1: Seni ko'zimda ko'rib yaxshi bo'ldim. ("I liked seeing you with my eyes.")
- Person 2: Arigato!
In the above dialogue, Person 1 is expressing their admiration towards the other person.
Expressions with food[edit | edit source]
Lastly, we have expressions involving food, which is an essential part of Uzbek culture.
| Northern Uzbek | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| non | /non/ | bread (a staple food in Uzbek cuisine) |
| qatiq | /kʌ.thɪk/ | sour milk (a popular drink in Uzbekistan) |
| palov | /pa.lov/ | pilaf (a traditional dish made with rice and meat) |
- Person 1: Sen bilan palov yemoqchiman ("I want to eat palov with you.")
- Person 2: Man ham palovni yaxshi ko'raman. ("I also love palov.")
In the above dialogue, Person 1 is inviting the other person to eat traditional Uzbek food together.
Now you know some of the most popular idiomatic expressions used in Northern Uzbek. Try to incorporate them into your conversations to sound like a fluent speaker. To improve your Northern Uzbek Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Days of the week
- Education
- Dining
- What is bothering you
- Drinks
- Family
- Cardinal Directions
- Time
- Days of the Week
- Solving a misunderstanding