Hello in Kyrgyz: salamatsyzby

“Hello” in Kyrgyz is саламатсызбы! — the polite form used with elders, strangers and in any formal setting. The casual “hi” is салам!, and саламатсыңбы! is “hello” to one person you are on familiar terms with.

Variants

What people reply

In real speech

How to pronounce it

Саламатсызбы breaks into parts: салам (peace, greeting) + -сыз (the polite “you”) + -бы (a question particle). That is the logic of the language: -сыз always marks the polite “you”, -сың the familiar one. Stress on the last syllable.

Frequently asked questions

What is the reply to salamatsyzby?

Саламатчылык! — roughly “and good health to you”. You can also return the same greeting and then ask кандайсыз? (“how are you?”).

Salam or salamatsyzby — which should I use?

When in doubt use саламатсызбы: the polite form is never wrong. Your counterpart will offer салам when it fits, and that is a good sign.

How do I say good morning and good evening?

Кайырлуу таң! is good morning, кайырлуу күн! good afternoon, кайырлуу кеч! good evening.