Kalmyk (Хальмг келн) is the main language of Kalmykia. The language is part of the Mongolic language family and is mutually intelligible with Oirat spoken in Dzungaria. It is written with the Cyrillic alphabet although it was historically written in a traditional script called "Todo Bichig." About 90,000-150,000 people can speak the language. It is the only Mongolic language in Europe.

Pronunciation guide

The pronunciation of Kalmyk Cyrillic letters is more or less the same as that of the Russian Cyrillic alphabet but with the addition of 6 letters: "Әә/Ää", "Һһ/Hh", "Җҗ/Jj", "Ңң/Ññ", "Өө/Öö", and "Үү/Üü." Moreover, the letter Вв is sometimes pronounced as "w" although it is also pronounced as "v" as it usually is in Russian and the letter "Ее" is usually pronounced as "ye" only at the beginning of a word.

Vowels

Аа Әә Ее Ёё Ии Оо Өө Уу Үү Ыы Ээ Юю Яя

Consonants

Бб Вв Гг Һһ Дд Жж Җҗ Зз Йй Кк Лл Мм Нн Ңң Пп Рр Сс Тт Фф Хх Цц Чч Шш Щщ Ъъ Ьь

Common diphthongs

аа әә ии ий нь өө уу үү

Phrase list

Pronouns

I = Би

We = Бидн

You = Чи

You (Plural/Polite) = Та

He/She/It = Тер

They = Тедн

My = Мини

Our = Мана

Your = Чини

Your (Plural/Polite) = Тана

His,Her/Its = Терүнә/Түүнә

Their = Теднә

Basics

Common signs WELCOME Ирхитн эрҗәнәвидн OPEN CLOSED ENTRANCE EXIT PUSH Түлкх PULL Татх TOILET Нуужнг MEN Запу күн WOMEN Күүкд күн FORBIDDEN

Hello.

Сән бәәцхәнт! or Мендут. (Sän bäätsxänt) or (Mendut)

Hello. (informal)

Менд. (Mend)

How are you?

Ямаран бәәнт? (Yamaran bäänt?)

Fine, thank you.

Гем уга, ханҗанав. (Gem uga, xanjanav )

What is your name?

Чини нерн кемб? (Chini nern kemb?)

My name is ______ .

Мини нерн ______. (Mini nern _____.)

Nice to meet you.

Таньлцлдан байрлҗанав. (Tan'ltsldan bayrljanav)

Please.

Буйн болтха. (Buyn boltxa )

Thank you.

Ханҗанав. (Xanjanav)

You're welcome.

Учр уга/Буйн болтха. (Uchr uga/Buyn boltxa)

Yes.

Ээ or тиим. (ee or tiim)

No.

Уга. (uga)

Excuse me. (getting attention)

. ( )

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

Бичә му сантн. (Bichä mu santn)

I'm sorry.

Би Гемән сурҗанав. (Bi gemän surjanav)

Goodbye

Байртаhар харhтл. (Bayrtahar Xarhtl)

Goodbye (informal)

Cән бәәтн! (Sän bäätn)

I can't speak Kalmyk [well].

[ ]. ( [ ])

Do you speak English?

Та англь келәр келдвтә? (Ta angl' kelär keldvtä?)

Is there someone here who speaks English?

 ? ( ?)

Help!

Нөкд болтн! (Nökd boltn!)

Look out!

 ! ( !)

Good morning.

Сән хонвт!. (Sän xonvt)

Good evening.

Сән хонтн! (Sän xontn)

Good night.

Сән хонтн! (Sän xontn)

Good night (to sleep)

. ( )

I don't understand.

Би медҗ ядх . (Bi medj yadx)

Where is the toilet?

Һарч ирдг хора альд? (Harč irdg xora al’d?)

How do you say __ in Kalmyk?

Хальмг келәр __ яһҗ нерәдгнә? (Xal'mg kelär __ yahj nerädgnä?)

Problems

Leave me alone.

Амр өгтн! (Amr ögtn!)

Don't touch me!

 ! ( !)

I'll call the police.

. ( .)

Police!

Цагда! (Tsagda!)

Stop! Thief!

 ! ! ( ! !)

I need your help.

. ( .)

It's an emergency.

. ( .)

I'm lost.

. ( .)

I lost my bag.

. ( .)

I lost my wallet.

. ( .)

I'm sick.

. ( .)

I've been injured.

. ( .)

I need a doctor.

. ( .)

Can I use your phone?

 ? ( ?)

Numbers

1

Негн (Negn)

2

Хойр (Xoyr)

3

Һурвн (Hurvn)

4

Дөрвн (Dörvn)

5

Тавн (Tavn)

6

Зурhан (Zurhan)

7

Долан (Dolan)

8

Нәәмн (Näämn)

9

Йисн (Yisn)

10

Арвн (Arvn)

11

Арвн негн (Arvn negn)

12

Арвн хойр (Arvn xoyr)

13

Арвн hурвн (Arvn hurvn)

14

Арвн дөрвн (Arvn dörvn)

15

Арвн тавн (Arvn tavn)

16

Арвн зурhан (Arvn zurhan)

17

Арвн долан (Arvn dolan)

18

Арвн нәәмн (Arvn näämn)

19

Арвн йисн (Arvn yisn)

20

Хөрн (Xörn)

21

Хөрн негн (Xörn negn)

22

Хөрн хойр (Xörn xoyr)

23

Хөрн hурвн (Xörn hurvn)

30

Һучн (Huchn)

40

Дөчн (Döchn)

50

Тәвн (Tävn)

60

Җирн (Jirn)

70

Далн (Daln)

80

Найин (Nayin)

90

Йирн (Yirn)

100

Зун (Zun)

200

Хойр зун (Xoyr zun)

300

Һурвн зун (Hurvn zun)

1,000

Миңһн (Miñhn)

2,000

Хойр миңһн (Xoyr miñhn )

10,000

Түмн (Tümn)

100,000

Бумн (Bumn)

1,000,000

Сай (Say) or Негн сай (Negn say)

1,000,000,000

Җува (Juva)

1,000,000,000,000

( )

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

( )

half

Өрәл (Öräl)

less

( )

more

( )

Time

now

Ода (Oda)

later

( )

before

( )

morning

Өрүн (Örün)

afternoon

( )

evening

Асхн (Asxn)

night

Сө (Sö)

Clock time

one o'clock AM

( )

two o'clock AM

( )

noon

( )

one o'clock PM

( )

two o'clock PM

( )

midnight

( )

Duration

_____ second(s)

___ Мисхл (Misxl)

_____ minute(s)

___ Мүч (Müch)

_____ hour(s)

___ Час (Chas)

_____ day(s)

___ Өдр (Ödr)

_____ week(s)

___ Долан хонг (Dolan xong)

_____ month(s)

___ Сар (Sar)

_____ year(s)

___ Җил (Jil)

Days

today

Эндр (Endr)

yesterday

Өцклдүр (Ötskldür)

tomorrow

Маңhдур (Mañhdur)

this week

( )

last week

( )

next week

( )

Sunday

Нарн (Narn)

Monday

Сарң (Sarñ)

Tuesday

Мигмр (Migmr)

Wednesday

Үлмҗ (Ülmj)

Thursday

Пүрвә (Pürvä)

Friday

Басң (Basñ)

Saturday

Бембә (Bembä)

Months

January

Туула Сар (Tuula Sar)

February

Лу Сар (Lu Sar)

March

Моһа Сар (Moha Sar)

April

Мөрн Сар (Mörn Sar)

May

Хөн Сар (Xön Sar)

June

Мөчн Сар (Möchn Sar)

July

Така Сар (Taka Sar)

August

Ноха Сар (Noxa Sar)

September

Һаха Сар (Haxa Sar)

October

Хулһн Сар (Xulhn Sar)

November

Үкр Сар (Ükr Sar)

December

Бар Сар (Bar Sar)

Colors

black

Хар (Xar)

white

Цаһан (Tsahan)

gray

Бор (Bor)

red

Улан (Ulan)

blue

Көк (Kök)

yellow

Шар (Shar)

green

Ноһан (Nohan)

orange

Улвр шар (Ulvr shar)

purple

Цеңкр (Tseñkr)

brown

Күрң (Kürñ)

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?

( )

One ticket to _____, please.

( )

Where does this train/bus go?

( )

Where is the train/bus to _____?

( )

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

( )

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

( )

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

( )

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?

( )

...the train station?

( )

...the bus station?

( )

...the airport?

( )

...downtown?

( )

...the youth hostel?

( )

...the _____ hotel?

( )

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

(Amerik Känadi Australi Britani)

Where are there a lot of...

( )

...hotels?

(budol)

...restaurants?

(gatgoru)

...bars?

(bark)

...sites to see?

( )

Can you show me on the map?

( )

street

hyдмж(hudmtj)

Turn left.

(Endüru tishey)

Turn right.

(chik'ru tishey)

left

Эндү (Endü)

right

Чик (Chik)

straight ahead

( )

towards the _____

( )

past the _____

( )

before the _____

( )

Watch for the _____.

( )

intersection

( )

north

Ар үзг (Ar üzg)

south

Өмн үзг (Ömn üzg)

east

Зүн үзг (Zün uzg)

west

Барун үзг (Barun üzg)

uphill

( )

downhill

( )

Taxi

Taxi!

( )

Take me to _____, please.

( )

How much does it cost to get to _____?

( )

Take me there, please.

( )

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?

( )

How much is a room for one person/two people?

( )

Does the room come with...

( )

...bedsheets?

( )

...a bathroom?

( )

...a telephone?

( )

...a TV?

( )

May I see the room first?

( )

Do you have anything quieter?

( )

...bigger?

( )

...cleaner?

( )

...cheaper?

( )

OK, I'll take it.

( )

I will stay for _____ night(s).

( )

Can you suggest another hotel?

( )

Do you have a safe?

( )

...lockers?

( )

Is breakfast/supper included?

( )

What time is breakfast/supper?

( )

Please clean my room.

( )

Can you wake me at _____?

( )

I want to check out.

( )

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

( )

Do you accept British pounds?

( )

Do you accept euros?

( )

Do you accept credit cards?

( )

Can you change money for me?

( )

Where can I get money changed?

( )

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

( )

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

( )

What is the exchange rate?

( )

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

( )

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.

( )

Can I look at the menu, please?

( )

Can I look in the kitchen?

( )

Is there a house specialty?

( )

Is there a local specialty?

( )

I'm a vegetarian.

( )

I don't eat pork.

( )

I don't eat beef.

( )

I only eat kosher food.

( )

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

( )

fixed-price meal

( )

a la carte

( )

breakfast

( )

lunch

( )

tea (meal)

( )

supper

( )

I want _____.

( )

I want a dish containing _____.

( )

chicken

Такан махн (Takan maxn)

beef

( )

fish

Заһсн (Zahsn)

ham

( )

sausage

( )

cheese

( )

eggs

Өндгн (Öndgn)

salad

( )

(fresh) vegetables

( )

(fresh) fruit

Зер-земш (Zyer zemsh)

bread

Өдмг (Ödmg)

toast

( )

noodles

( )

rice

( )

beans

( )

May I have a glass of _____?

( )

May I have a cup of _____?

( )

May I have a bottle of _____?

( )

coffee

Кофe (Kofye)

tea (drink)

Цә (Tsä)

Kalmyk tea

Дҗомба (Djomba)

juice

( )

(bubbly) water

( )

(still) water

( )

beer

( )

red/white wine

( )

May I have some _____?

( )

salt

Давсн (Davsn)

black pepper

( )

butter

( )

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

( )

I'm finished.

( )

It was delicious.

( )

Please clear the plates.

( )

The check, please.

( )

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?

( )

Is there table service?

( )

A beer/two beers, please.

( )

A glass of red/white wine, please.

( )

A pint, please.

( )

A bottle, please.

( )

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

( )

whiskey

( )

vodka

Әрк (Ärk)

rum

( )

water

Усн (Usn)

club soda

( )

tonic water

( )

orange juice

( )

Coke (soda)

( )

Do you have any bar snacks?

( )

One more, please.

( )

Another round, please.

( )

When is closing time?

( )

Cheers!

( )

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?

( )

How much is this?

Кедүнә? (Kedünä?)

That's too expensive.

( )

Would you take _____?

( )

expensive

( )

cheap

( )

I can't afford it.

( )

I don't want it.

( )

You're cheating me.

( )

I'm not interested.

(..)

OK, I'll take it.

( )

Can I have a bag?

( )

Do you ship (overseas)?

( )

I need...

( )

...toothpaste.

( )

...a toothbrush.

( )

...tampons.

. ( )

...soap.

( )

...shampoo.

( )

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

( )

...cold medicine.

( )

...stomach medicine.

... ( )

...a razor.

( )

...an umbrella.

( )

...sunblock lotion.

( )

...a postcard.

( )

...postage stamps.

( )

...batteries.

( )

...writing paper.

( )

...a pen.

( )

...English-language books.

( )

...English-language magazines.

( )

...an English-language newspaper.

( )

...an English-English dictionary.

( )

Driving

I want to rent a car.

( )

Can I get insurance?

( )

stop (on a street sign)

( )

one way

( )

yield

( )

no parking

( )

speed limit

( )

gas (petrol) station

( )

petrol

( )

diesel

( )

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.

( )

It was a misunderstanding.

( )

Where are you taking me?

( )

Am I under arrest?

( )

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

( )

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

( )

I want to talk to a lawyer.

( )

Can I just pay a fine now?

( )