Greetings and politeness in Azerbaijani
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Azerbaijani words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Azerbaijani phrases in this lesson
- Salamsa-LAM
- Hello
- Sabahınız xeyirsa-ba-HUH-nuz KHEY-ir
- Good morning
- Axşamınız xeyirakh-sha-muh-NUZ KHEY-ir
- Good evening
- Sağ olunSAH o-loon
- Goodbye
- Görüşərikgyuh-rew-sheh-RIK
- See you
- Zəhmət olmasazeh-MET ol-MA-sa
- Please
- Təşəkkür edirəmteh-shek-KOOR e-DEE-rem
- Thank you
- Dəyməzdey-MEZ
- You're welcome
- Üzr istəyirəmOOZR is-teh-YEE-rem
- Sorry
- Bağışlayınba-gush-la-YUN
- Excuse me
- Tanış olduğumuza şadamta-NUSH ol-doo-goo-MOO-za sha-DAM
- Nice to meet you
The standard greeting at any time of day. Works in every situation, from markets to hotel lobbies.
The polite morning greeting. Use it until noon. Shopkeepers appreciate the formality.
The polite evening greeting. Among friends, plain salam covers it.
A warm farewell meaning "be well." It is the standard polite goodbye and leaves a good impression.
Literally "we will meet", what friends say on parting. Sağ olun is the polite goodbye.
Literally "if it is no trouble." Attaching this to any request makes it sound polite and respectful.
The polite thank you. "Sağ ol" (SAH ol), literally "be healthy", is the casual version, and "sağ olun" doubles as a goodbye.
Literally "it's not worth it", the usual reply to thanks. "Buyurun" (boo-yoo-ROON) answers too, but it also means here you go.
Literally "I ask for forgiveness", the real apology.
Use it to get someone's attention or to squeeze past. Literally "forgive me".
A warm and appreciated phrase. Azerbaijanis value courtesy in introductions. A handshake is standard between men.