Language/Turkmen/Vocabulary/Basic-Greetings
Welcome to this lesson on basic Turkmen greetings! In this lesson, you will learn essential phrases to greet people in Turkmen, which will help you in everyday conversation as well as in formal situations. Not only will you become acquainted with the language, but you will also gain insight into the cultural aspects of greetings in Turkmenistan. So, let's dive right in!
Greetings for Different Times of the Day
In Turkmen language, greetings vary according to the time of the day. Let's learn the different phrases for greeting people depending upon the time of the day. We will then move on to learn general greetings that can be used in any situation.
Morning Greetings
The Turkmen greeting for morning is "ertir salam." Use this greeting when you meet someone before noon.
Examples:
| Turkmen | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| ertir salam | /ɛrtɪr salam/ | Good morning |
Afternoon Greetings
For afternoon greetings in Turkmen, use the phrase "gündogar salam."
Examples:
| Turkmen | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| gündogar salam | /ɡʏndogar salam/ | Good afternoon |
Evening Greetings
When greeting someone in the evening, use the Turkmen phrase "agşam salam."
Examples:
| Turkmen | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| agşam salam | /agʃam salam/ | Good evening |
General Greetings
For general greetings, "salam" can be used at any time of the day. It is equivalent to "hello" in English.
Examples:
| Turkmen | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| salam | /salam/ | Hello |
Polite Greetings
When you meet an elder or someone in a more formal setting, it is advisable to greet them with a more polite greeting.
Examples:
| Turkmen | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| hormatly salam | /hormatɫɪ salam/ | Respected greeting (polite) |
Saying Goodbye
Knowing how to bid farewell is just as important as knowing how to greet. The most common Turkmen phrase for saying goodbye is "sag bol."
Examples:
| Turkmen | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| sag bol | /sag bol/ | Goodbye |
Asking How Are You
When initiating a conversation, it is common to ask someone how they are. In Turkmen, the phrase for asking "how are you" is "sen näme?"
Examples:
| Turkmen | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| sen näme? | /sɛn næmɛ/ | How are you? (informal) |
Further Notes on Turkmen Greetings
Turkmen people place great importance on the act of greeting, and it is considered respectful to greet and acknowledge each person in a group setting. People often greet each other by shaking hands, and it is considered polite to maintain eye contact during a handshake. In some situations, men may place their left hand over their heart as a sign of sincerity when greeting one another.
Now that you have learned basic Turkmen greetings for various situations, you are well-equipped to begin a conversation and make a great impression on native Turkmen speakers. With these essential phrases in your vocabulary, you will be able to communicate more easily and build connections with people from Turkmenistan.
In the next lesson, "Introducing Yourself," we will learn how to introduce ourselves and ask someone's name in Turkmen. So, stay tuned!