Dialogues

 Vocabulary

*(is Qaytaman "I will go", or "I will return")

 Grammar and Vocabulary Explanations

 For Dialogue 1

The greeting Assalomu Alaykum! is a very common expression throughout the Muslim world, among Uzbeks it is especially common in the more conservative rural areas. It is from an Arabic greeting meaning peace be upon you! The invariable response must be Vaalaykum Assalom! which is also from an Arabic greeting meaning I also wish you peace!

Uzbeks also have other greetings used for different times of day. The most appropriate response for any of these greetings is to repeat the greeting.

Omonmisiz! is mostly used by woman.

 For Dialogue 2

From Previous Lessons:

Standard Uzbek has both singular and plural pronouns:

 

The second person pronoun sen is used to address one or more friends and equals or those who are younger or familiar. Siz must be used to address those who are older or unfamiliar, and also to address more than one person.

The third person pronoun у can refer to males, females, or things. Gender can be determined from context.

Mening ('my') is a possessive form of the personal pronoun men. The singular and plural possessive forms of the personal pronouns are:

 

The possessive forms of the personal pronouns can be omitted when a noun already reflects possession.

 

The suffix -man 'I am', expresses person and is a noun predicate. The singular and plural noun suffixes in standard Uzbek are:

 

The subject pronoun may be omitted in a sentence where one of these predicate suffixes are used.

 

For Dialogue 3

The plural suffix is -lar. It is added to the stem of the noun:

 

When the Uzbeks ask someone about his well-being they usually use expressions like Ishlaringiz qanday? (How are you?), Ishlaringiz yaxshimi? (How are things?). The response may be Yaxshi (Good), Ishlarim Yaxshi (Everything is fine), or Rahmat (Thanks).

The question particle is -mi. In order to form an interrogative sentence this particle is added only to the predicate of a sentence:

 

 Pronunciation

Questions formed with the help of the particle -mi are pronounced with a rising intonation. In the sentence Ishlaringiz yaxshimi? (How are things?), the peak of intonation is on the second syllable of yaxshi.

Questions formed with the help of the interrogative words like qanday (how) are pronounced with falling intonation. In the sentence Ishlaringiz qanday? (How are you?), the low point of intonation is on the second syllable of qanday.

 For Dialogue 4

As Uzbeks take leave of one another, they commonly exchange a series of expressions meaning goodbye. Some of these are:

 

The parting expression Xayr! may be used at any time of day. The expression Xayr, yaxshi qoling! is used by a guest or by the person taking leave. The expression Xayr, yakshi boring! is used by a host or by the person staying.

The Uzbek word ko’p has many meanings, including 'fine,' 'very well,' 'agreed,' 'all right,' and 'O.K.' Uzbeks use ko’p and yakshi much as English speakers use 'fine', and 'good'.

 Recap

Congratulations! You can know have your first ever conversation in Uzbek--and that wasn't that hard either? Was it?

In future editions of this book we might have exercises and such, so that you can practice what you learned, and really get it to soak in--and also so you can double check and make sure you know it. But they aren't available just yet :)