Language 101: Essential Azerbaijani Phrases
Culture & History

Language 101: Essential Azerbaijani Phrases

📅December 25, 2025

Language 101: Essential Azerbaijani Phrases

"Do they speak English in Azerbaijan?"

In Baku, yes—many young people and tourism workers speak English. Outside the capital? Not so much.

But here's the beautiful thing: Azerbaijanis love when you try to speak their language. Even a simple "Salam" (hello) or "Sag ol" (thank you) will earn you smiles, help, and maybe an invitation for tea.

This guide will teach you the essential phrases to navigate Azerbaijan with confidence and charm.

The Basics: Greetings and Politeness

Hello / Hi:

  • Salam (sah-LAHM)
  • Use: Anytime, anywhere

Good morning:

  • Sabahınız xeyir (sah-bah-uh-NUHZ hay-EER)
  • Casual: Sabah xeyir

Good evening:

  • Axşamınız xeyir (ahkh-shah-muh-NUHZ hay-EER)

How are you?:

  • Necəsən? (neh-jeh-SEN) - informal
  • Necəsiniz? (neh-jeh-see-NEEZ) - formal

I'm fine, thank you:

  • Yaxşıyam, sağ ol (yahkh-shuh-YAHM, sahg OL)

Thank you:

  • Sağ ol (sahg OL) - informal
  • Təşəkkür edirəm (teh-shek-KOOR eh-dee-rem) - formal

You're welcome:

  • Xahiş edirəm (khah-HEESH eh-dee-rem)
  • Casual: Buyurun (boo-yoo-ROON)

Please:

  • Zəhmət olmasa (zeh-MET ol-mah-SAH)

Excuse me / Sorry:

  • Bağışlayın (bah-guhsh-lah-YUHN)

Goodbye:

  • Sağ ol (sahg OL) - informal
  • Əlvida (el-vee-DAH) - formal

Essential Questions

Do you speak English?:

  • İngiliscə danışırsınız? (in-gi-lees-JEH dah-nuh-shur-suh-NUHZ?)

I don't understand:

  • Başa düşmürəm (bah-SHAH doosh-moo-REM)

Can you help me?:

  • Mənə kömək edə bilərsiniz? (meh-NEH koh-MEK eh-DEH bee-ler-see-NEEZ?)

Where is...?:

  • ...harada? (hah-rah-DAH?)
  • Example: Tualet harada? (Where is the toilet?)

How much does this cost?:

  • Bu nə qədərdir? (boo neh geh-DER-deer?)

I would like...:

  • Mən...istəyirəm (men...ees-teh-yee-REM)

Numbers (1-10)

  • 1: Bir (beer)
  • 2: İki (ee-KEE)
  • 3: Üç (ooch)
  • 4: Dörd (dord)
  • 5: Beş (besh)
  • 6: Altı (ahl-TUH)
  • 7: Yeddi (yed-DEE)
  • 8: Səkkiz (sek-KEEZ)
  • 9: Doqquz (doh-GOOZ)
  • 10: On (on)

Food and Dining

I'm hungry:

  • Acam (ah-JAHM)

I'm thirsty:

  • Susuzam (soo-soo-ZAHM)

The bill, please:

  • Hesab, zəhmət olmasa (heh-SAHB, zeh-MET ol-mah-SAH)

Delicious!:

  • Dadlı! (dahd-LUH!)

Water:

  • Su (soo)

Tea:

  • Çay (chai)

Bread:

  • Çörək (cho-REK)

Meat:

  • Ət (et)

Vegetarian:

  • Vegetarian (veh-geh-tah-ree-AHN) - borrowed word
  • Without meat: Etsiz (et-SEEZ)

Directions

Left:

  • Sol (sol)

Right:

  • Sağ (sahg)

Straight:

  • Düz (dooz)

Here:

  • Burada (boo-rah-DAH)

There:

  • Orada (oh-rah-DAH)

Near:

  • Yaxın (yah-KHUHN)

Far:

  • Uzaq (oo-ZAHG)

Shopping

How much?:

  • Nə qədər? (neh geh-DER?)

Too expensive:

  • Çox bahadır (chokh bah-hah-DUHR)

Can you lower the price?:

  • Qiyməti endir bilərsiniz? (gee-MEH-tee en-DEER bee-ler-see-NEEZ?)

I'll take it:

  • Alıram (ah-luh-RAHM)

Emergency

Help!:

  • Kömək! (koh-MEK!)

Police:

  • Polis (poh-LEES)

Doctor:

  • Həkim (heh-KEEM)

Hospital:

  • Xəstəxana (khes-teh-khah-NAH)

I'm lost:

  • Mən azmışam (men ahz-muh-SHAHM)

Cultural Phrases

Welcome (to my home):

  • Xoş gəlmisiniz (khosh gel-mee-see-NEEZ)

Response to welcome:

  • Xoş gördük (khosh gor-DOOK)

Bon appétit:

  • Nuş olsun (noosh ol-SOON)

Cheers! (when drinking):

  • Sağlığınıza! (sahg-luh-guh-nuh-ZAH!)

God willing:

  • İnşallah (in-shah-LAH)

Compliments

Beautiful:

  • Gözəl (go-ZEL)

Very good:

  • Çox yaxşı (chokh yahkh-SHUH)

I like it:

  • Xoşuma gəlir (kho-shoo-mah geh-LEER)

Yes, No, Maybe

Yes:

  • Bəli (beh-LEE)
  • Casual: Hə (heh)

No:

  • Xeyr (kheyr)
  • Casual: Yox (yokh)

Maybe:

  • Bəlkə (bel-KEH)

I don't know:

  • Bilmirəm (beel-mee-REM)

Pronunciation Tips

Key Sounds:

  • ə: Like the "a" in "about" (schwa sound)
  • ı: Like the "i" in "pencil" (no dot)
  • x: Like the "ch" in Scottish "loch"
  • ş: Like "sh" in "shoe"
  • ç: Like "ch" in "church"
  • ğ: Silent, lengthens the previous vowel

Stress:

  • Usually on the last syllable

Language Apps and Resources

Apps:

  • Google Translate: Offline mode available
  • Duolingo: No Azerbaijani course yet, but Turkish is similar
  • Memrise: User-created Azerbaijani courses

Phrasebooks:

  • Lonely Planet Phrasebook: Azerbaijani section
  • Online: Omniglot.com (Azerbaijani page)

Cultural Notes

When to Use Formal vs. Informal:

  • Formal (siz): Elders, strangers, officials
  • Informal (sən): Friends, children, peers

Body Language:

  • Handshake: Common greeting (men to men, women to women)
  • Kissing Cheeks: Close friends and family
  • Eye Contact: Respectful, but don't stare

Gift of Language:

  • Trying = Respect: Even broken Azerbaijani is appreciated
  • Smile: Universal language

Practice Conversation

You: Salam! (Hello!) Local: Salam! Necəsən? (Hello! How are you?) You: Yaxşıyam, sağ ol. Sən necəsən? (I'm fine, thank you. How are you?) Local: Mən də yaxşıyam. (I'm fine too.) You: Bu nə qədərdir? (How much is this?) Local: Beş manat. (Five manats.) You: Sağ ol! (Thank you!)

Conclusion

Learning a few Azerbaijani phrases transforms your travel experience. It shows respect, opens doors, and creates connections.

So practice these phrases, don't be afraid to make mistakes, and watch as the warmth of Azerbaijani hospitality unfolds before you.

Uğurlar! (Good luck!)

This completes our 50-article series on Azerbaijan. Thank you for reading, and safe travels!